Please view this document in a maximized window to prevent word-
wrapping.

Description:

   The Atari Trackball CX80 has 2 modes. (A switch on the back
   changes the mode.)  In Joystick Emulation Mode it acts like
   an 8 direction joystick . In Trackball Mode it acts like a
   true trackball, providing both direction and speed of
   movement.

   The adapter described in this document allows an Atari CX80
   Trackball in Joystick Emulation Mode to be used as an 8
   direction controller on the Vectrex. Hyperchase is the only
   Vectrex game that will not work with this adapter.
   (Hyperchase requires an analog controller.)
     =

Risks:

   This is my first ever electronics project. All I know is that
   using this adapter has not burned-up my Vec or my trackball
   . . . YET!
   =

   Build it and use it at your own risk.

Background:

   I saw the Atari Trackball in a close-out store, and I bought
   it with the intention of using it on my Vectrex. I then
   started surfing the net and posting notes on various user-
   groups to figure out how to do it.
   =

   After finding my answers, I built and tested it on a
   breadboard. I had it working 2 hours after I started. I
   thought I was home free. Then I tried building it on a
   Printed Circuit Board (PCB) by soldering. Two days and
   several ruined circuit boards later I was still trying.
   That's when I switched to Wire Wrapping. Wire Wrapping is
   tedious, but it's easy to correct mistakes without chucking
   the whole project and starting over. (After testing, it is
   very easy to solder the Wire Wrapped connections.)

Credits:

   Jay Tilton:
   =

      The circuit described here is designed by Jay. People
      experienced with electronics can find all they need on
      Jay's page:
      =

      http://fbox.vt.edu:10021/J/jtilton/games/tech/index.html
      See the design for the "Vectrex Digital Stick Adapter".
      =

   Bojay:
   =

      I posted a note on the Atari User Group asking for a
      wiring diagram for the trackball. Bojay gave me the
      trackball's original factory service manual. He wouldn't
      even let me pay the $3 postage.
      =

   Tony Price:
   =

      Tony gave me a break on a damaged Vectrex controller that
      I had intended to use for parts.
   =

   Brian Holscher:
   =

      Brian sent me a copy of his plans for building an adapter
      to use a Sega Genesis Controller on the Vectrex.


Please Help:

   Send any corrections and suggestions to lshaker@flash.net
   I'll re-post this document after including any improvements.
   =

   If you have a Vectrex Webpage, please include this document.
   =

   If you can manufacture these adapters, you have my
   permission.
   Please get Jay Tilton's permission.
   You assume all risks.

Note: I am NOT trying to push Radio Shack. Their prices range
     from reasonable to rather high. But, they are national and
     they have most of the parts.(Parts with a catalog number
     starting with RSU must be ordered.)


                          Parts & Supplies
                          =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

                   Source                              =

    Item       Qt  Catalog Number                   Notes
                y  (Qty) Price
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D  =3D=3D  =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D  =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Atari          1   MPJA                  The Atari Trackball CX22
Trackball          (800) 652-6733        should also work. But I do
CX80               www.mpja.com          not have one to test.
                   Catalog: 6465MI       =

                   (1) $1.95             MPJA has a $15.00 Minimum
                                         Order.
                   American Science &    They had 1293 in stock as
                   Surplus               of Jan 30, 1998.
                   (847) 982-0870        =

                   www.sciplus.com       American Science has a
                   Catalog #: 27407      $10.00 Minimum Order. They
                   (1)  $7.50            had 30 in stock as of Jan
                                         29, 1998.
                                         =

-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
Project Box    1   Radio Shack           Pro:
Circuit        1   270-283               Ideally sized project box.
Board          2   (1)  $3.99            Custom fit circuit board.
Board                                    Built-in board mounts.
Standoffs                                =

                                         Black plastic matches
                                         Vectrex & Trackball.
                                         =

                                         Con:
                                         Requires reinforcement
                                         behind
                                         9-pin connectors.
                                         Bigger box would be easier
                                         for beginners.
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
Scrap Sheet                              Only required if using
Metal                                    plastic project box.
                                         Used inside box to
                                         reinforce walls that have
                                         been cut to mount the 9-pin
                                         connectors.
                                         I cut-up an aluminum
                                         project box I had purchased
                                         as an alternate.
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
D-sub 9 Pin    2   Radio Shack           =

Male               276-1537              =

                   (1)  $0.99
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
D-sub 9 Pin    1   Radio Shack           =

Female             276-1538              =

                   (1)  $1.29
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
9 Conductor    1F  Electronics Supply    =

Cable          t   (1 Ft)  $0.35         =

               =

-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
Machine        6   Radio Shack           =

Screws             64-3011               =

                   (42)      $1.49
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
Machine Hex    6   Radio Shack           =

Nuts               64-3018               =

                   (30)      $1.49
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
PCB Terminals  9   Radio Shack           The adapter requires 9
                   276-1388              terminals.
                   (8)  $2.29            The Radio Shack product has
                                         4  stackable 2 terminal
                                         blocks.
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
1 Inch long    9                         Wire like that at the ends
Uninsulated                              of resisters.
Wire                                     Will be used to convert PCB
                                         Terminals to "Wire Wrap PCB
                                         Terminals".
                                         I got the wires by raiding
                                         my breadboard jumper wires.

-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
16 Pin Wire    2   Radio Shack           =

Wrap Sockets       276-1994              =

                   (2)  $1.69
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
4052 IC        2   Radio Shack           =

                   RSU 11392198          =

                   (1)  $1.29
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
=BC Watt-10K     6   Radio Shack           =

Ohm                RSU 11346061          =

Resister           (5)  $0.99
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
=BC Watt-4.7K    2   Radio Shack           =

Ohm                RSU 11345949          =

Resister           (5)  $.099
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
Rosin Core     1   Radio Shack           Enough solder is included
Solder             64-006                in the Radio Shack Basic
                                         Soldering Kit (64-2802)for
                                         this project.
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
Wrapping Wire      Radio Shack           1 Spool is more than enough
   Red         1   278-501               for this project. But the
   White       1   278-502               variety of colors makes
   Blue        1   278-503               checking your work a lot
                   (50 Ft) $2.99         easier.
-------------  --  --------------------  ---------------------------
Sega Genesis   1   Toys-R-Us or          The Vectrex Controller Port
Controller         WWW.SEGA.COM          is a standard 9-pin male
Extension          (1)  $9.99            connector, but it is in a
Cord                                     deeper than standard
                                         socket. The Genesis
                                         Controller Extension Cord's
                                         head can be easily trimmed
                                         to fit the Vectrex. Some
                                         other cords may also work,
                                         but I know this one will.
                                         (This info found on the
                                         Jay Tilton's webpage.)
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D  =3D=3D  =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D  =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D




                                Tools
                                =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
               Source                                =

    Item       Catalog Number                     Notes
               Price
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D  =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D  =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Wire Wrapping  Radio Shack           =

Tool           276-1570
               $7.49
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Soldering      Radio Shack           =

Iron           64-2802
               $7.99
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Desoldering    Radio Shack           =

Bulb           64-2086
               $2.79
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Helping Hands  Radio Shack           A stand with moveable arms and
               64-2063               alligator clip hands. A
               $9.99                 necessity if using solder-on 9-
                                     pin Connectors.
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Multi-Meter    Radio Shack           I bought a no-name meter at a
               22-166                local store for $20. I've seen
               $39.99                'em for $10.
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Wire           Radio Shack           =

Stripper/Cutt  64-1952
er             $4.59
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Screwdrivers:  Radio Shack           =

   #0          64-1959
Phillips       $4.79
   1/8 Slot
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Drill +                              =

1/8 & 3/8
Bits
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Small File or                        Used to enlarge drill holes for
Nibbling Tool  Radio Shack           mounting 9-pin connectors.
               64-823                Small Course File will work
               $10.99                fine, Nibbling Tool will speed
                                     up work on Sheet Metal.
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
IC extractor   Radio Shack           Optional: A small flat blade
               276-1581              screwdriver can be used to
               $7.49                 remove ICs.
                                     Be gentle, pry the IC up a
                                     little at time from the ends.
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Breadboard     Radio Shack           Optional: Get only if you want
               276-169               to verify you understand the
               $21.99                wiring before building the
                                     adapter.
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Jumper Wires   Radio Shack           Optional: Get only if you want
               276-173               to verify you understand the
               $5.49                 wiring before building the
                                     adapter.
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Pin Crimping   Radio Shack           Optional: Get only if you use
Tool           276-1595              crimp-on
               $9.99                 9-pin connectors rather than the
                                     solder-on connectors listed
                                     above.
                                     After using this tool I had to
                                     use a pliers to finish each
                                     crimp.
                                     Solder-on connectors are easy to
                                     use if you have the Helping Hand
                                     tool.
-------------  --------------------  --------------------------------
Pin Insertion  Radio Shack           Optional: Get only if you use
& Extraction   276-1426              crimp-on
Tool           $2.99                 9-pin connectors.
                                     =

                                     =

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D  =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D  =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

Note: These instructions assume that you are using Radio Shack
Project Box/Circuit Board 270-283.

1. Prepare Project Box
   =

   The 9-pin connectors must be mounted from the outside.  I
   mounted them as shown:
   =

   Top View:
                              +-----+ Female 9-Pin
                              |     | (Vectrex)
                  +------------------------------+
                  |                              |
                  |                              |
                +-|                              |-+
     Male 9-Pin | |                              | | Male 9-Pin
    (Buttons)   | |                              | |(Trackball)
                +-|                              |-+
                  |                              |
                  |                              |
                  +------------------------------+
   =

   To allow maximum clearance for the components, mount the
   connectors close to the top of the box. (The metal side is
   the bottom.)
   =

   a) Cut out holes for 9-Pin connectors. Holes should be just
      large enough for the back side of the plug to fit though.
      Drill a 3/8" hole and enlarge with a small file or
      nibbler.
      =

   b) Cut 1 piece of sheet metal to fit inside the box against
      each side with a connector. They should slide between the
      mounting posts and the sides of the box. When pushed into
      place they should not extend beyond the circuit board
      mounting posts (the shorter posts).
      =

   c) Cut holes in sheet metal parts to match the connector
      mounting holes in the project box.
      =

   d) Use the connectors as guides to drill the 1/8" holes for
      the machine screws in the project box & sheet metal parts.
      =

2. Wire 9-Pin Connectors
   =

   Vectrex Controller & Port Connections:
        =

        Pin 1: Button 1
        Pin 2: Button 2
        Pin 3: Button 3
        Pin 4: Button 4
        Pin 5: Joystick: Horizontal
        Pin 6: Joystick: Vertical
        Pin 7: +5V
        Pin 8: Ground
        Pin 9: -5V
        =

   Trackball Connections:
   =

        Pin 1: Up
        Pin 2: Down
        Pin 3: Left
        Pin 4: Right
        Pin 5: ----
        Pin 6: Fire Button
        Pin 7: +5V
        Pin 8: Ground
        Pin 9: ----
        =

   The 9-Pin Connectors' solder connectors are numbered. (You
   may need a good light and a magnifying glass to see them.)
   Remember that the pin numbers on the male and female
   connectors are mirror images.
   =

   a) Cut the 9 conductor cable to get 3 - 3" segments.
      Use a small screwdriver to poke-out the inner wires.
   =

   b) Assign a wire color to each pin number & WRITE THEM
      DOWN!!!
      =

      Here's the colors I used, but your wire colors may vary:
   =

        Pin 1: White
        Pin 2: White Stripe
        Pin 3: Red
        Pin 4: Red Stripe
        Pin 5: Green
        Pin 6: Green Stripe
        Pin 7: Blue
        Pin 8: Orange
        Pin 9: Black
   =

   Wire your connectors using your color chart.
      =

      Strip about 1/8" from each end of the wires before
      soldering. (I know: Duhh!)
      =

      After soldering check all connections. If you have spare
      connectors: plug in a mating connector then use you multi-
      meter to check the connection from the wire to the spare
      connectors matching solder terminal.)
   =

   c) Solder a wire to every pin on the Vectrex Connector
      (9-Pin Female).
   =

   d) Solder wires to the following pins on the Trackball
      Connector (9-Pin Male): 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
   =

   e) Solder a wire to pin 8 of the Button Connector (9-Pin
      Male).
   =

   f) Mount the Vectrex Connector and Trackball Connector in the
      project box and fasten with machine screws and machine
      nuts.
   =

   g) Pull the Vectrex Connectors wires 1, 2, 3 & 4 and
      Trackball Connector's wire 6 through the hole for the
      Buttons Connector.
   =

   h) Cut the Vectrex Connectors wires 1, 2, 3 & 4 and Trackball
      Connector's wire 6 just so they are just long enough so
      that you can solder them to the Buttons Connector from the
      outside the Project Box.
   =

   i) Solder the wires to the Buttons Connector as follows:
   =

   Pin 1: Vectrex Connector Wire 1
      Pin 2: Vectrex Connector Wire 2
      Pin 3: Vectrex Connector Wire 3
      Pin 4: Vectrex Connector Wire 4 and
             Trackball Connector Wire 6
      =

      Wiring the Trackball Fire Button (Connector Wire 6) in
      with the Vectrex Button 4 (Connector Wire 4) will allow
      the buttons on the Trackball as additional Button 4s.
   =

   j) Mount the Buttons Connector in the project box and fasten
      with machine screws and machine nuts.
      =

3. Make a Wire Wrap PCB Terminal
   =

   I could not find PCB Terminals made for wire wrapping, so I
   adapted the standard PCB Terminals.
   =

   9 Terminals are needed. The terminals I bought were in blocks
   of two that attached to each other by a "sliding dovetail
   joint" (I may not know much about electronics, but I know my
   woodworking terms!)
   =

   a) Slide terminals together to make a strip of 10.
   =

   b) Bend each of the 9 1-inch stiff wires into an L.
   =

   c) In each terminal: insert a short leg of the "L", with the
      long leg sticking down and tighten the screw.
      =

4. Mount the components on the circuit board.

   The circuit board has copper solder rings around each hole on
   one side of the board. For soldering: the components should
   be mounted on the side opposite the solder rings. For wire
   wrapping: the components should be mounted on the side with
   the solder rings. (This will reduce the chance of a loose
   first wire wrap loop from shorting out to a neighboring wire
   wrap post.)
   =

   I fooled around for an hour to figure out a layout that
   spaced the components as widely as possible and did not bump
   into the connectors when the circuit board was installed in
   the circuit board. Here's my layout:
   =

            +-----------------------------------+
            | +-----+ . . -=3D=3D4.7K=3D- . . +-\_/-+ |
   +--------+ |     | . . . . . . . . . |     | +--------+
   |  | . | . |  4  | . . -=3D=3D10K=3D=3D- . . |  4  | . | . |  |
   | |1|.|1|. |  0  | . . . . . . . . . |  0  | .|1|.|1| |
   | |0|.|0|. |  5  | . . -=3D=3D10K=3D=3D- . . |  5  | .|0|.|0| |
   | |K|.|K|. |  2  | . . . . . . . . . |  2  | .|K|.|K| |
   | | |.| |. |  _  | . . -=3D=3D4.7K=3D- . . |     | .| |.| | |
   |  | . | . +-/ \-+ . . . . . . . . . +-----+ . | . |  |
   |  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  |
   |  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  |
   |  . . .+--------------------------------------+ . .  |
   |  . . .|0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9 | . .  |
   |  . . .+--------------------------------------+ . .  |
   +--------+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +--------+
            | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
            +-----------------------------------+
   =

   The notch on the 4052's sockets represents the top of the IC.
   =

   The Wire Wrap PCB Terminal is represented by the long
   component numbered 0 - 9. Mount the terminal strip on the
   circuit board with the long legs of the "L"'s extending down
   through the circuit board. The PCB Terminals wire holes
   should be mounted pointing away from the other components.

   After mounting the components, tuck the wires up in the
   project box and test fit the circuit board into the project
   box. (The Wire Wrap Posts and leads will stick out the bottom
   of the box, they will be trimmed later.)

5. Wire Wrap it.
     =

   a)   The remaining 9-Pin Connector Wires will be fastened to the
      PCB terminals at the end of the project. Now it's time to assign
      a function to each of the PCB Terminals and WRITE THEM DOWN. Here
      is my list:
      =

      Terminal 0: Vectrex Joystick: Horizontal
      Terminal 1: Vectrex Joystick: Vertical
      Terminal 2: Vectrex +5V and
                  Atari   +5V
      Terminal 3: Vectrex Ground and
                  Trackball Ground and
                  Buttons Ground
      Terminal 4: Vectrex -5V
      Terminal 5: Trackball Up
      Terminal 6: Trackball Down
      Terminal 7: Trackball Left
      Terminal 8: Trackball Right
      =

   b) Wire Wrap the circuits.
   =

   The circuit design is by Jay Tilton. Jay designed the circuit
   to use an Atari 2600 Joystick on the Vec. I found that it
   also works the Atari Trackballs.
   =

   I E-mailed Jay to request permission to reproduce his design,
   but he did not reply.
   =

   You can find the component wiring design on Jay's page:
   http://fbox.vt.edu:10021/J/jtilton/games/tech/index.html
   See the design for the "Vectrex Digital Stick Adapter".
   =

   Before wrapping trim the resistor leads so that the Wire Wrap
   Tool can reach lead's bottom.
   =

   Use the different wrapping wire colors to distinguish the
   circuits. I had three colors, so I wrapped the Ground Circuit
   with white, the +5 V Circuit with red, and everything else
   with blue.
   =

   Multiple connections are made on one wire wrap post or lead
   by stacking one wire wrap connection on top of another. In
   this design, it is never necessary to wrap one post or lead
   more than twice.
   =

   To make the circuits, chain the connections together. If A, B
   & C must be connected to ground. Wrap a wire from the ground
   PCB terminal to A, a second wire from A to B, and a third
   wire from B to C.
   =

   When wiring the sockets, remember that you are working from
   the bottom. Depending on how you flipped the circuit board,
   the connections are flipped either upside-down or side-to-
   side.
   =

   After each circuit is completed (EX: All ground connections),
   use the multi-meter to verify that electricity flows and
   check for shorts. (+5V and -5V ARE connected through 29.4K
   Ohms of resisters.)
     =

6. Connect It
     =

   The Vectrex Controller Port is a standard 9-pin male
   connector, but it is in a deeper than standard socket. Trim
   the Genesis Controller Extension Cord's head with a utility
   knife to fit the Vectrex's port.
   =

   End View:
      Before:           After:
      +-----------+     +-----------+
      |  -------  |     |  -------  |
      |  \=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D/  |     |  \=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D/  |
      |   -----   |      \  -----   /
      +-----------+       \--------/
     =

7. Test it!

   a) Using your Connector Wire Color Chart and your PCB
      Terminal Function Chart, connect the 9-pin connector wires
      to the PCB Terminals. Where there is more than 1 wire
      connected to 1 PCB Terminal, twist the wires ends
      together.
      =

   b) Plug the ICs into the sockets. Be sure to orient the ICs
      correctly, the little dimple at one end of the IC marks
      the top of the IC.
   =

   c) Make sure the Trackball is in Joystick Emulation Mode. The
      switch is located on the back of the trackball next to the
      cable.
      =

   d) Hook-it up!
      =

      If you have a Multi-cart, use the TEST program to check
      out it's operation. If not, use a program that uses all 8
      joystick directions.
      =

      Good Luck ! ! !
     =

8. Solder it

   Note: Soldering is not required, but it is highly
        recommended.

   a) Remove the ICs from the sockets.
   =

   b) Disconnect the 9-pin connector wires from the PCB
      Terminals.
   =

   c) Use a wire cutters to trim the Wire Wrap Posts and leads
      just above the wrapping wire.
   =

   d) Solder all the connections by holding the soldering gun to
      one side of each Wire Wrap Post and the solder to the
      opposite side of the post. You will get a good connection
      if the solder is melted from the heat of the component,
      not by direct contact to the soldering iron.

9. Box It

   a) Trim the 9-pin connector wires so they are just long
      enough to connect to the appropriate PCB Terminal. Then re-
      strip the ends and reconnect the wires to the PCB
      Terminals.
      =

   b) Remount the ICs in the sockets.
      =

   c) Mount the circuit board in the project box.
      =

   d) Verify the Wire Wrap Posts and leads will not contact the
      metal bottom of the project box. Trim or bend any
      offending posts or leads.
   =

   e) Attach the project box bottom.

10.   Play it !!!
