In this third episode of “Timex Connection,” João Diogo Ramos (LOAD ZX Spectrum museum founder) and David Anderson (book author and founder of the timexsinclair.com website) examine both hardware and documentation related to the Timex/Sinclair 1500.
João shows a black TS-1500 case, featuring the distinctive grill pattern. João and David examine a Ferranti ULA version with late 1982 date codes, confirming the early timeline.
They review February 1983 technical documents, including detailed product specifications by Kim Paternoster covering the 1500’s 40-key rubber keyboard, improved modulator, and 16K internal RAM. A key discovery is how external RAM packs would remap the internal memory rather than simply extending it. They examine power supply specifications, modulator changes, and various engineering modifications.
The documents reveal intensive development work happening just three months before the May 1983 launch. Technical specifications cover everything from oscillator requirements to connector fatigue testing. The episode ends with the hosts still working through February 1983 documents, with much more material to explore in future episodes.