this is the computer you wanted to have in your electronics lab in 1983. it's like a cross between a scientific calculator and a computer. it runs BASIC, has a built-in printer, CRT, and tape drive. an HP-IB add-on lets it talk to GPIB instruments.
...and mine is broken!
hmm.
here's the main board. there are test points for voltages and the four clock signals.
let's do cool things with piezoelectric barbeque ignitors! 🧵
first we ought to cut one in half. they're pretty cool inside!
how it works: when you push the button, the metal hammer snags on plastic ledge, and the left spring (heavy) compresses. as you continue to push the button, a wedge lifts up the hammer and it SNAPS off the ledge, slamming into the piezo, which changes force into electricity.🎇