Conference hydra::amiga_v1

G'day Randall,

The RD31 is indeed a ST-506 type disk (as are all RDnn disks). The connections
required are a 34 pin and a 20 pin cable, and of course a controller to plug the
little bugger into (which is the expensive part in Sydney).

Lindsay

    
    Thanks Lindsay. I knew the RD31 itself was ST506, but I was actually
    curious as to what the 55pin card sticking out of the basebox is. Since
    the VAXmate is basically a 80286 clone (albeit, one with a DEC
    flavour), I am wondering whether this card is in fact a standard ST506
    IBM controller, which would reduce the cost factor.
    
    Regards.

Randall,

Sorry, I misunderstood what you meant. You're just talking about the connector
at the back of the VAXmate disk box? The 55 pin connector is probably to carry
the signals from both ST-506 connectors via one cable. I think the VAXmate will
have a standard XT ST-506 controller.

Normally those connections aren't used, as the disk box is bolted straight on to
the VAXmate box, and all the cabling is internal. I think the extra connector is
for hanging another disk box onto the first. Someone will correct me if I'm
wrong.

If you were to rip the disk out of the box, there will probably be the standard
card edge connections for 34 and 20 pin cables.

(I think) the VAXmate disk box takes it's power from the VAXmate system box, so
you may have to do some cabling trickery to get the VAXmate box to draw power
from your Amiga. If you have a 2000, you could just rip the disk out of the
VAXmate box, and mount it in the 5.25" bay.

Lindsay

    RE .1
    
    Expensive parts in Sydney.
    
    My disk drive consists of...
    
    RD drive.
    At Controller (Priced at $130 (I Believe))
    Interface box (Cost $200) from White computers at Castle Hill
    Power supply ..... 
    
    So..... Assuming you have a RD (or any ST-506 drive) + power supply
    + $330 you should be able to get on the road....
    
    Call me on 6629 (after long weekend) for further info 
    
    Stan.

    
    Thanks Lindsay and Stan. Stan, I havent forgotten our previous
    converation  - much obliged .... I phoned Whites after we spoke last
    and they dont flog the interface any longer - poor reliablity they
    reckon.  However, I've seen a SPIRIT HDA506 advertised in mail order in
    ACAR for approx the same $$$$. Anyone else recommend  where we can get
    a decent priced adaptor in Aussie?
    
    I have now had a chance to inspect the inside of a VAXmate expansion
    box and read an owners manual (still no hardware docs though).
    
    Lo and behold, inside is its very own separate power supply and AT
    controller card (which I can only presume is industry standard)!!  The
    power supply gets its zap from the 4 power pins that stick up through
    the expansion box casing, that I trust could be readily directly
    powered. There's no fan in the box - does this matter??? Whats the
    temperature situation???
    
    Therefore, in my naievty methinks that just adding an Amiga OMTI
    adaptor (or whatever) the contraption is likely to all work within its
    very nice, neat casing, so you can see why this idea seems attractive.
    
    To make a home grown solution cost-effective versus a new $800 MAST
    Tiny Tiger, I figure that the total cost would need to be <= $500.
    The Tiny Tiger also has great SCSI response times versus the 65ms of the
    ST225 clunker, although the ST225 admittedly has an excellent 100,000
    hours MTBF.  Note also that we can pickup a 80386 DECstation with 40MB
    SCSI HD refurbished, employee purchase for around $1000, so we dont
    want to overcapitalise on Amiga disk.......
    
    Assuming for the moment that such an Amiga AT Controller adaptor is
    obtainable somewhere for the $200 you mentioned, this would mean I'd
    have to be able to get a RCD31-EA from the back of Trader Tom's truck,
    employee purchase for <$300 to make it worthwhile.  I dont like my
    chances, but who knows.......
    
    Anybody else successfully using this setup?