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Re: Apple II paddles
"Michael J. Mahon" (mjmahon@aol.com) writes:
> The Wizard of Oz wrote:
>> On Thu, 29 Jun 2006 23:29:40 -0700, spacealbum wrote these words of
>> wisdom:
>>
>>
>>>If one looks at the 1977 Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
>>>brochure (-> for example at http://kelleyad.com/histry.htm ) I
>>>wondered what these strange handcontrollers are. They are not the type
>>>with the round knob but seem to have a small stick that can be moved
>>>back and forth.
>>>Does anybody have an idea???
>>
>>
>> The others will be able to supply you with details of the specific parts.
>> The construction looks as though it is built on a slide potentiometer
>> rather than a rotary one. I saw something similar when I disassembled a
>> home made mixing board in the early 80's.
>
> Actually, the sticks appear to come out at an angle when displaced
> to either end of their range. I suspect just a pot turned sideways
> with a control rod attached to the shaft.
>
Yes, which of course is what happens with a joystick so long as you just
move it back and forth, rather than sideways. It just attaches a lever
to the shaft of the pot, rather than a knob.
Michael
> (Of course, the value of the pot must be selected so that about 60
> degrees of movement produces about 0-150K resistance variation. A
> 500K linear taper pot should do nicely.)
>
> -michael
>
> Parallel computing for 8-bit Apple II's!
> Home page: http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/
>
> "The wastebasket is our most important design
> tool--and it is seriously underused."