Category Archives: Ben Heck Show

Midwest Gaming Classic 2022 – Workshop!

I am doing another workshop at MGC 2022. Same project as in November, the “gameBadge”

To sign up please visit this link: https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/event/ben-heck-make-a-gamebadge/

Some tools will be supplied but attendees are recommended to bring as many of their own tools as possible, including but not limited to:

  • Soldering iron
  • Solder (lead recommended)
  • Tweezers for holding small parts
  • Solder-cleaning braid
  • Power strip/extension cords

See you there!

Single Board Computer Workshop at Midwest Gaming Classic 2020

I’m doing a “build your own single board computer” workshop at the Midwest Gaming Classic 2020 in downtown Milwaukee this April.

The design is based on the classic Z80 (which they still manufacture believe it or not) and is quite small, only 3 x 3″. It has an expansion port, build-in OLED screen, Atmel MCU as screen driver/USB serial port converter and an SD card adapter for loading BIN, HEX and saving files or doing RAM dumps.

This workshop is meant to teach how memory addressing works and you also get to take home the sweet computer you build! Basic soldering skills will be helpful and there’s also a decent amount of surface mount (fairly large parts to make it do-able) so tips and tricks on how to work with that are also part of the experience.

Sign up using the links below! (limited to 25 spots)

Workshops

Here are the YouTube videos I’ve made discussing the design process. Once the design has been verified it will be posted to my Github if you can’t make it to the workshop but want to order your own copy of the PCB.

 

 

 

Shop Moving Information

From October 23rd to the 31st we will be finishing up the closure of the old Ben Heck Show Shop.

This time will be extremely busy for me, so any new orders during that time will be deferred to the beginning of November. (Accessibility controllers or Controller Monitors for development)

Any controllers desired for Christmas delivery (in the United States) should be placed by December 10th.

Thanks for your patience during this very busy time period!

-Ben

 

New Atari 800 Computer Handheld!

Atari 800 Handheld

For the final project of The Ben Heck Show I built an all-new original hardware Atari 800 handheld!

Unlike my past Atari computer laptops this uses the original IC’s with an all-new custom circuit board. It also fits in your hand and runs off Li-Po batteries.

-> Click here for the detailed Making Of Story <-

You can view the corresponding Ben Heck Show episodes below:

Awkward Photo Op