Binatone Mk4 Composite Mod
My need for Binatone Mk4 composite mod was satisfied when I made a circuit that worked. Unlike those that have been documented on websites which can be found easily. It might have been my circuitry work, it might have been my soldering. I don’t know, but I eventually used my knowledge gained when I done the initial version of the Pico mod for the Atari VCS to make a circuit that worked really well.
Designing the Pico Version
A few months on and I have now decided to make a ‘Pico’ version of my Binatone mod after the success of my Pico Atari board. I’ve reviewed the circuitry and rationalised connections etc, so I can now get 9 boards out of my veroboard rather than the 6 as before. There is a little spare board left over from the board size I use, but I figured I can get another 4 Atari Pico boards out of it! Not much waste at all!
Here is my layout for veroboard. yes, I use Excel… I can’t be bothered to use a proper piece of software as it’s way too much effort!
There is now only one 75 Ohm resistor and the board has been turned 90 degrees to make the installation of the regulator easier, whilst keeping the arrangement of wires in and out of the board simple. Colour coded to use CAT5e cable again, I think this is pretty much as small as it can go without making a custom PCB.
Building the Binatone Mk4 Pico
I haven’t attempted this yet, but I have every confidence that it will work. I may have to test it out and luckily I have a console at present with which to test the board to make sure it gives the same crystal clear picture that the version 1 board did.