"Retro" is in this Christmas

[W1JS]

"Vacuum Tube" AM/FM Radio
Inspired by the sleek retro designs of '50's vacuum tubes, this flashy retro radio is a blast from the past! Features include AM/FM tuner and illuminated "vacuum tubes." Uses 4 AA batteries (not included). 6" w x 3 1/4" h x 3 1/4" d.  $14.95      

http://www.swisscolony.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=124690&path=1%2C2%2C1932%2C1937&itemType=PRODUCT&AS=1&keyword=radio

[The Slab Bacon]

Got one already, they have been around for a few years now.

mine was a gift from the "vortex"

[W3SLK]

Frank said:

Got one already, they have been around for a few years now.

mine was a gift from the "vortex" 

Funny Frank, my son got one from the same 'vortex'.

[Bacon, WA3WDR]

What we need is a magic-eye brake light that shows how hard the driver is pressing on the brakes.

[John Holotko]

What I want is a Nixie clock that uses REAL Nixie tubes to display the  numbers. matter of fact if  I can track down some nixie tubes I'd like to build one.

[W1RKW]

John,
Here's website for starters:
http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/nixclock.html

And another using the mighty 6502 processor.
http://www.hack.net/nixie/

[KB2WIG]

God ....   the 6502 still lives ?!?!?!

[John Holotko]

John,
Here's website for starters:
http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/nixclock.html

And another using the mighty 6502 processor.
http://www.hack.net/nixie/

Thanks. I'll check it out,...

[W1RKW]

God ....   the 6502 still lives ?!?!?!

Yeah surprisingly. 

I had a AIM 6502 microcomputer board with the built-in printer, hex keypad, for entering machine code and IO interface.  Had it for years, used it once, maybe twice then it was a dust magnet. Got rid of it about 3 or so years ago.   Wish I still had it cause I've thought of a couple of things I could have used it for.  Oh well. Got an old 386 laptop I can use for that stuff if need be.

[KB2WIG]

We got stuck using KIMs... the AIMs were locked away from us unclean... the kims had terrible debounce problems, and the on- board  hardware for the tape drive sucked....---- the pdp11 with paper tape programing rocked; them holes had multi uses....  in hats in the winter, stuff into auto defroster. on top of bathroom doors....

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

Ah, the KIM. I almost forgot about those. I did my first machine language program on one of those. Yea, key debounce was big deal.

[W3SLK]

Steve said:

Ah, the KIM. I almost forgot about those. I did my first machine language program on one of those. Yea, key debounce was big deal.

My first machine language program was done with a ComTran-10. Hex-system with a whopping 2K of volatile, non-destructive read out memory, (it was flip-flop memory). Later we were taught the AN/UYK-20 that was a 16-bit/octal machine. I hold the record for completing our maintenance program with the least amount of instructions.