Retro Rendezvous

Connect, Collaborate and Code

Paul Bussey

Programming Project : Space Probe

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Back in 1986 I coded a game for the ZX Spectrum that was published in Popular Computing Weekly. Remember that magazine, where you could type in Basic programs and perhaps get them to work?

In this thread I’ll be working on converting this to BBC Basic as part of my relearning of this language.

For anyone else that may have published their BASIC programs during that time, there’s two useful archives here:-

1. Index for Spectrum/QL typed in scripts : http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~jg27p … _names.htm
2. This archive is from the “World of Spectrum” but the mag covers all scripts from different machines of the time. https://worldofspectrum.org/archive/mag … ing-weekly

Here’s the original mag and published page:-

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I’ve been using the excellent Owlet editor on my Mac (I can type faster on a modern keyboard) and my first question is on the use of RND, which is very much prevalent in the code above which I’ll need in the BBC script.

I’ve noticed in Owlet that when using RND(X) it ends up giving you the same number each time, unless you have some code asking for input at the beginning (providing a random time spanned event at the start).

Here’s my finished script which ends up being better than the 1986 version.

Use this link to see and run the BBC Basic script.

Using a BBC Micro B with an HDMI Monitor

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In my last post, I had this question left unanswered.

  • Could I somehow use the Beeb with a modern display?

Some Acorn aficionados like the idea of pairing their Acorn machine with original monitors from the same period, notably the Microvitec Cub colour monitors. Personally I wanted a space saving and clear display, that I didn’t have to worry about repairing later down the line. Besides, the Cubs cost a pretty penny – fetching between £200 and £300 at the time of writing.

After searching if the BBC B could support a modern display, I quickly came across this YouTube answer from Retro Computer Shack showing how to connect to a display with an HDMI input. This provides a crisp display on a monitor or TV, using a RGB to SCART cable (£13.50) plus a SCART to HDMI video converter (£29). I went with the advice to get this more expensive converter (Prices at time of writing), since I could see from Amazon feedback the cheaper converters were giving problems.

What was trickier was getting hold of a monitor (rather than a TV) with an HDMI input which from reading from a few sources are a little harder to get hold of nowadays. I got hold of a Dell 19″ HDMI Monitor IPS LED 1280 x 1024 P1917S P1917SF from eBay seller UK Computer Parts which do have a 100% feedback rating. When I received the monitor it was packed adequately but hastily, with some of the packing tape coming off the misshapen box. The fuse was also missing from the plug which caused a bit of initial alarm when I tried switching it on, but once a fuse was put in, the monitor was fine and in good condition.

So the answer to the above is that the Beeb can use a more modern display. You could use of course a display with a SCART input (more common with TVs) saving on having an adaptor – it depends on your preference.