                      Seperate your C64 keyboard from the CPU.

All parts listed here are from Digi-Key 1-800-344-4539.
You will need the following list of parts:                          Price:
(1) one straight lead header # CHS4OG-ND                            $   2.56
(2) one .100 Flat flex cable assembly  ( 6 inches)
                             # A9BAG-2006-ND                        $   9.03
(3) one .100 Flat flex cable # A9AAT-2006F-ND  (6 inches)           $   5.28
(4) one 25 pin interface extention (2 meter male to male)
                             # AE1010-ND                            $   6.93
(5) two Solder cup type D-sub connector 25 pins  (females)
                             # A2049-ND                             $   4.50
                                                                    --------
                                                     Total          $  28.30
Instructions:
When you open the C64 (normally 3 screws) you will see how the keyboard is
plugged into the motherboard. There is a 20 pin ribbon type plug that
goes into a male fitting on the board with 19 pins ( missing one is a key
to prevent plugging in the keyboard backwards).
Carefully unplug that plug (lift at the ends and gently rock as you lift).
Solder the straight lead header (1) to the Flat flex cable (3). ( both
will have the same spacing)
Solder the other end of the Flat flex cable (3) to a 25 pin female connector
(5).  The straight header (1) plugs into the female plug on the keyboard
connector ( you will need to cut or bend pin  number 2 for it to fit).
This will give you a 25 pin D-sub Female connector for the ksyboard.
The keyboard assembly is ready to put back in to the computer case.
( be sure to remove the computer board first and decide where to put it.)
You have several choices as to where you would like the 25 pin female
connector to exit the case (it has lots of holes).

Now take the Flat cable assembly (2) and solder the other 25 pin female
connector (5) to it.  BE SURE THAT THE PINS ON THE TWO 25 pin D-sub
connectors will match. ( the 25 pin connectors I have seen are numbered)
Plug the Flat cable asssembly into the motherboard and the computer
portion is ready to install in your case. ( I used an old C64 case for this)
You can put it most any where.  Built one, use an old IBM tower whatever.
Again you have some choices to make on where the 25pin D-sub will exit
but less than the keyboard as the cable is only 6" long.

I did not mention the little power indicator light. You will have 5 extra
leads on the D-sub if you want to connect the light.  Having the light
come on is a nice touch. You can just solder a couple of wires from
the motherboard to do this.

For joysticks and mice you will need 2 9 pin D-sub cables.  The cheapest
are Sega joystick extention cables.  The 9 pin cables are common as dirt
so you will have no problem finding what you want. (Radio Shack, ect.)

You also may not want 2 meters of cord between you keyboard and computer
so you can look for the length you want (male on both ends).  I have
a rig with 2 cables connected to a total of 10 feet (great for games)

If I ever get a case designed I will offer a "kit" for those that
don't have time to solder about 60 connections.  Open to ideas
on how to improve this and what to use for inexpensive cases that would
allow access to CMD add ons like the Super CPU and RamLinks.

The main reason for this design is to make using the C64 easier by
seperating the computer and keyboard (not a new idea)  LoadStar has
the same thing in the issue #140 with simple ribbon cable. My design
,just to toot my SID chip, is much more flexable and LOOKS better too.

I'd love e-mail from those that complete this project.  Let me know how
it goes.
