The 1980s was the decade when home computer users started to “get online” in earnest. Business users, academics and select others had accessed corporate mainframe computers from home but home computer users were limited in what they could access.
That changed with the advent of bulletin board systems and consumer access to commercial computing service providers during off-hours. Compuserve and The Source, two major online systems, both became available to consumers at the end of the 1970s.
Connecting the Sinclair computers to external serial devices opened up the world of online services, bulletin boards and access to serial printers and other special serial devices.
| Name | Description | Computers |
|---|---|---|
| 232 Modem | Modem that connects directly to the computer. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| Comlink I | RS-232 interface with terminal software in EPROM. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| Data Communications Package | 300 baud modem, RS-232 interface. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| FDD Serial Printer Cable | Timex/Sinclair 2068 | |
| IF/Firmware Card | Low-footprint card to replace original interface of Westridge/Timex 2050 modems. 26-pin header connects to modem and includes 8K EPROM socket. Through-connector for peripheral chaining. | Timex/Sinclair 1000, Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| Interface RS-232 | Packaged in a RAM enclosure. Would have required a twister and Spectrum ROM. | |
| Interface to the Real World | RS-232 interface and parallel input/output device. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| Kradle Communicator | An add-in expander for the Kradle, providing RS232 and printer/output ports, communication to modem or remote computer plus standard parallel output (8 bit) port with handshaking, hardware UART, software BAUD select, vectored interrupt capability. Requires no memory space; I/O mapped. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| MD-1 Modem | Includes RS-232 port. | Sinclair ZX80, Sinclair ZX81, Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| MD-2B Modem | Works with any amount of memory on the 1000; with 64K will store 60 screens. Terminal software included. Prints to 2040 or any serial printer via built-in RS-232 port. | Sinclair ZX81, Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| MD-68 Modem | 300 baud. RS-232 port. | Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| Memopak RS-232 | Interface allows the Timex to connect to serial printers and peripherals. The interface has two main modes of operation: BASIC mode allows you to use the range of functions supplied in the RS232 EPROM with an ordinary BASIC program. TERMINAL mode allows you to use your Timex as a terminal to another processor. The EPROM | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| MKIV Modem | 300 baud modem. Housed in a case similar to Memotech cases. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| Modem | May have been a standard modem; CAI/O Board had RS-232. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| Network Communications Package | ASCII firmware, modem and modem cable. This with the CAI/O board allows the TS1000 to communicate with mini and mainframe computers. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| Phone Modem | Plans for building a modem. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| RS-232 | Plans to build a RS-232 serial interface. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| RS-232 for 2068 | Connect serial devices to the TS 2068. Driver software supports LPRINT and LLIST. | Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| RS-232 Interface | Expansion for the Compu-board system. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| RS-232 Module | Connect to RS232 printers and terminals. USR calls simulate LPRINT, LLIST and COPY commands. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| RS-68 RS-232 Interface | Compatible with most modems and printers. Two RS-232 interfaces; connect two devices at once. 300-19,200 baud. | Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| RS232C Interface | Variable baud rate by software control. Upper and lower-case printout. Up to 120 characters per line with software control. Handshake facility. Output via 2 small jack sockets. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| Serial Output Port Kit | Plans and parts to build a serial output port using two integrated circuits. Plans also available separately. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| Serial Printer Interface | Output RS-232 ASCII through MIC port. Software is 280 bytes of relocatable machine code; provides printing of characters, strings, program listings, and screen copying. Plans and listing. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| The Terminal | Complete (hardware and firmware) communications package. Consists of 2050 modem, modem interface/firmware card, and ZX-TERM*80 EPROM. | Timex/Sinclair 1000, Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| TS 2050 Modem | One of the most eagerly awaited accessories was the TS 2050 Telecommunications Modem. Timex announced a modem, scheduled for release in November of 1983, that was compatible with the TS 1000/1500, ZX-81 and TS 2068. The modem is also known as the Westridge 2050. Unfortunately, Timex exited the computer market before they received the first | Timex/Sinclair 1000, Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| TTL Serial Input/Output Port Package | Software and plans for building input and output ports which fit inside a ZX81 or TS1000. When used with an RS232/TTL level converter, can connect to most RS232C peripherals. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| WC2050 Modem Board | Untested and uncased modem board. | Timex/Sinclair 1000, Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| WC2050-to-RS232 Kit | Complete kit consisting of small printed circuit board, 3 ICs, DB9 connector and instructions. Turns WC2050 into true RS232. | Timex/Sinclair 1000, Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| WC2050-to-RS232 PC Board | PC board and instructions to turn WC2050 into true RS232 interface. | Timex/Sinclair 1000, Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| Westridge 2050 Modem | The Westridge Communications 2050 modem allows you to communicate through your telephone with other computers and information sources. With this modem and the included MTERM I cassette software, you can connect to other computers, bulletin boards and services like THE SOURCE, CompuServe, DOW JONES, and MCI MAIL. Features Prints displayed screens on the TS2040. | Timex/Sinclair 1000, Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| Z-SI/O RS-232 Interface | Serial interface compatible with the TS 2050/WC 2050 modem. Includes 25-pin RS-232 connector. Uses Intel 8251 USART, the same chip as in the Timex modem, and supports up to 1200 baud modems and 19,200 baud direct connections. Three versions were available: JLO for use with John Oliger disk systems, AERCO for use with the FD-68 | Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| ZX-98 Parallel and Serial Interface | Parallel and serial interface (Centronics printer and RS-232) on the same board. Supports LLIST, LPRINT and COPY; communicates at up to 9600 baud. On-board driver routines in EPROM. | Timex/Sinclair 1000 |