ZX Spectrum

Sinclair ZX Spectrum (48K/128K), Spectrum Next, and Spectrum-specific hardware/software topics.

155 threads · 1012 messages · 2001-11-12 → 2026-10-16

For most of the group the Spectrum matters through the 2068's compatibility with it. Early answers were simple: you need the emulator cartridge or a Spectrum ROM. Adam Trionfo's Jarek Adamski cartridge switched over with OUT 244,3, and M. Emrah Oral's quick check was a 1982 Sinclair Research copyright line with no Timex line. Johnny Red noted that the gap is in hardware, not software: the 2068 buffers its buses where the Spectrum uses resistors. In 2006 Richard Atkinson and Jarek Adamski worked out patches for running Spectrum 128 ROMs in a 2068, including a reset delay before bank switching. Richard later documented a switchable 48K/2068 EPROM mod that reuses the channel 2/3 switch, and offered to fit it as a service. Pete Rittwage got the same result by burning a doubled TS2048 ROM into the home ROM socket. Carl Miles had used a piggybacked Spectrum ROM on a toggle switch since 1983. Don Dindang's Twister board, with a jumper for Spectrum ROM or OpenSE BASIC, became the common plug-in answer. The 2007 "ZX Spectrum 128K vs TS2068" debate came down to compatibility (the 128K) versus video modes (the 2068).

The NTSC Spectrum keeps coming back. In 2009 zxbruno, Jack Boatwright (who remembered English Micro Connection ads) and Al Hartman, who owned a Sinclair-badged NTSC unit, tried to pin down where these machines came from. Paulo Leite noted that the Portuguese TC2068 can be switched to NTSC with jumpers and a crystal. In 2026 the Ferranti Files video reopened the question. Jon found the Timex Dundee Spectrum schematic and the Spectrum 128 ULA design in the documents. David Anderson pointed to the Chile model, and Joao Diogo Ramos reported NTSC ULAs found with former Timex Portugal staff and NTSC Spectrums bought in Peru. Carl's teardown of an Argentine Czerweny CZ2000 found a Spectrum Issue 6A board, a 6C001E-7 PAL ULA, a PAL-Nc crystal and a VHF modulator.

Hands-on Spectrum work centres on Carl. He repaired the Bill Miller collection 48K, which booted to rectangles, by measuring rails and capacitors, and tested a vDrive ZX against real Microdrives. Greg Skuza asked about 14.3181MHz crystals for NTSC colour. Jon studied the ZX Interface 1 RS232 port for a Spectrum-mode serial board for the TS-Pico. On modern hardware, Greg Bennett, Jeff Burrell and Greg Skuza received Spectrum Next 2.0 units in 2024. Adam's 2025 "Spectrum Next Availability?" thread pointed to the N-Go, the specnext.com forum and Next Magazine. Carl pre-ordered Retro Games' The Spectrum, and Josef Jelinek found its keyboard membrane is not compatible with the original. Several threads only drifted here: the TS1000-to-TS1500 conversion, the C64 Ultimate thread (Josef on XBerry Pi and N-Go), old newsletters, the joystick-port WiFi modem, Charlie Day's Super2068 ROM, the retro-pixel-converter and "What if Timex stayed in the market" (SE Basic keyword entry).

Key threads

• ZX Spectrum ROM in TS2068 (#2051 on groups.io) — Technical groundwork for running Spectrum and Spectrum 128 ROMs on a 2068: bus differences, EXROM patches and the reset delay.
• Switchable Timex Sinclair 2068 ROM modification (#1567 on groups.io) — Richard Atkinson's switchable Spectrum/2068 EPROM mod using the channel switch, and where to find emulator ROMs and Twister boards.
• What Game Should I Try First With Spectrum Cartridge? (#1845 on groups.io) — Using Jarek Adamski's emulator cartridge: OUT 244,3, how to confirm Spectrum mode, and game suggestions.
• ZX Spectrum 128K vs TS2068 (#2046 on groups.io) — Newcomer questions on the emulator cart and disk drives, and the compatibility-versus-video-modes debate.
• NTSC Spectrum (#1849 on groups.io) — Yahoo-era search for the origin of NTSC Spectrums, plus the TC2068 NTSC jumper conversion.
• Ferranti jackpot (#2 on groups.io) — Ferranti documents with Timex Dundee schematics and the 128 ULA, and new evidence on NTSC Spectrums from Chile, Peru and Timex Portugal.
• ZX Spectrum 48K Repair - Jan 2024 (#741 on groups.io) — Carl's long repair log on a converted 48K from the Bill Miller collection, plus vDrive ZX Microdrive emulation.
• CZ2000 to TS2000 Prototype Conversion Project (#603 on groups.io) — Teardown of the Argentine Spectrum-based CZ2000 (Issue 6A board, PAL-Nc) and its rebuild as a TS2000 look-alike.
• Investigating the Spectrum's RS232 Interface (ZX Interface 1) (#702 on groups.io) — Jon's research into Interface 1-compatible serial for a Spectrum-mode TS-Pico expansion board.
• Spectrum Next Availability? (#178 on groups.io) — How to get a Spectrum Next or N-Go today, and Next Magazine.

All threads (155)

↳ marks a thread where this topic begins mid-conversation — the link jumps to the message where it starts.

Thread	Msgs	Activity	Started by
⭐ ZX Spectrum 48K Repair - Jan 2024 - Ryan got a ZX Spectrum 48K from the Bill Mil 📎	65 💬	2024-02-13	Carl Miles
⭐ NTSC Spectrum 📎	50 💬	2009-06-10	zxbruno
⭐ TS1000 -> TS1500 Conversion Project ↳ #5678 📎	31 💬	2024-02-22	Carl Miles
⭐ Switchable Timex Sinclair 2068 ROM modification ↳ 📎	26 💬	2019-06-23	Richard Atkinson
⭐ ZX Spectrum 128K vs TS2068	18 💬	2007-01-24	M. Emrah Oral
⭐ CZ2000 to TS2000 Prototype Conversion Project 📎	13 💬	2024-07-27	Carl Miles
⭐ Investigating the Spectrum's RS232 Interface (ZX Interface 1), for a potential 2 📎	12 💬	2024-03-14	Jon
⭐ Ferranti jackpot 📎	10 💬	2026-10-16	Adam Trionfo
⭐ Wifi modem for TS-2068 via joystick port 📎	10 💬	2024-10-23	Ricardo Calcagno
⭐ Introducing Super2068 ↳ #9661	10 💬	2026-08-15	Charlie Day
⭐ Retro-pixel-converter updates 📎	10 💬	2026-06-28	Josef Jelinek
⭐ FuJinet	9 💬	2024-10-15	Floppy Days Podcast - Ra
⭐ Elite TS2068: A Spectrum to TS2068 Cartridge Conversion 📎	9 💬	2026-08-11	Adam Trionfo
⭐ Convert TS2068 into ZX Spectrum 128K	8 💬	2008-07-03	zxbruno
⭐ Proposal for FPGA based advanced 2068	7 💬	2021-05-15	jburrell7
⭐ Hybrid 2068/spectrum 48k rom mod	6 💬	2014-03-31	quantam2001
⭐ TS2068 switchable ROM Method	6 💬	2014-01-07	Chris Raynak
⭐ multicolour mode....	6 💬	2013-04-19	Luis Alberto D'Ardis
⭐ Using a ZX Interface 1 with TS2068	6 💬	2010-06-28	Rich Mellor
⭐ ZX Sectrum in VGA monitor? Anyone made it?	6 💬	2008-02-25	Adam Trionfo
⭐ ZX Sectrum in VGA monitor? Anyone made it?‏	5 💬	2008-02-25	Adam Trionfo
⭐ Dead Spider mod	3 💬	2026-04-17	Gus Lahoski
⭐ Unfinished Spectrum ROM 📎	3 💬	2025-06-25	Ryan Gray
⭐ Questions about Spectrum Compatibility and 97% Figure	2 💬	2005-10-28	Bill Loguidice
⭐ Spider Mod for ZX Spectrum 48 Series 2 PCB	2 💬	2024-03-09	John Lech
⭐ ZX-Basicus 📎	2 💬	2025-03-12	Ryan Gray
⭐ ZX Spectrum machine language book available as download 📎	1 💬	2025-03-14	David Anderson
The Spectrum from Retro Games is now available...just not in North America - But 📎	44 💬	2024-12-23	Adam Trionfo
How active are TS2068 users? ↳	33 💬	2017-05-20	Bill Loguidice
C64 ↳ #8660 📎	31 💬	2025-10-22	Adam Trionfo
Spectrum Next Availability? 📎	22 💬	2026-01-11	Adam Trionfo
What if Timex stayed in the market	21 💬	2012-08-22	Marvio Santos
Spectrum Next 2.0 📎	21 💬	2024-02-12	Greg Skuza
Blast From the Past	18 💬	2013-05-13	lvnmgk
Old newsletters to give away	17 💬	2008-08-13	Don Dindang
TS-260 vs ZX Spectrum 128K	17 💬	2008-01-11	M. Emrah Oral
Other Sinclairs	17 💬	2007-06-16	Al Hartman
What Game Should I Try First With Spectrum Cartridge?	16 💬	2009-07-12	Adam Trionfo
"Gaming the Iron Curtain Book" and Eastern Bloc Spectrum Clones 📎	10 💬	2026-01-04	Brett Hallen
Anyone seen my Timex Sinclair 2065 Microdrive? 📎	10 💬	2024-01-28	Carl Miles
Loading video games from vinyl records | ZX Spectrum Thompson Twins Adventure G 📎	9 💬	2024-05-20	Adam Trionfo
Old Spectrum Newbie TS2068	9 💬	2002-09-26	William McBrine
TS2068 / spectrum 📎	9 💬	2002-09-14	William McBrine
I "met" the author of a ZX program, decades after the fact!	9 💬	2008-11-28	Adam Trionfo
[SpecDrum] - Information	8 💬	2006-12-14	[CVN].Gitann0
The Sinclair QL and HiSoft BASIC for the Atari ST and Amiga	8 💬	2026-01-07	David Anderson
Those Russian Sinclair Computers 📎	8 💬	2022-02-23	Adam Trionfo
Wireless ZX Spectrum :)	8 💬	2008-01-09	Adam Trionfo
SymbOS for Timex?	8 💬	2007-08-23	Jarek Adamski
AY-3 Sound Chip Article	8 💬	2024-11-20	josef.jelinek
Interview with Chris Smith, Author of ZX Spectrum ULA Book	7 💬	2022-11-19	Adam Trionfo
A future project. 📎	7 💬	2025-01-08	Christian Mann
Technical Help Needed	7 💬	2007-05-17	Paulo Leite
Looks like Retro Games is coming out with a new "The Spectrum" computer later th 📎	6 💬	2024-08-27	Carl Miles
ZX Spectrum 30 anniversary 📎	6 💬	2012-05-03	fuentesea
Lemon Soft Spectrum emulator	6 💬	2012-02-19	patohd
2026 TS Calendar 📎	6 💬	2026-01-07	Ryan Gray
Didatik Gamma	6 💬	2010-01-09	Mark Scheck
The Spectrum in the US	6 💬	2023-11-29	Ryan Gray
ZX spectrum keycaps	6 💬	2025-06-03	Tim H
Any ZX Spectrum boards? 📎	6 💬	2025-05-18	Christian Mann
DivIDE interface‏	6 💬	2008-01-09	Timex
ZX Spectrum Cartridges	5 💬	2024-07-22	Jack Boatwright
Played Pitfall II on Sinclair Spectrum Today	5 💬	2023-01-27	Adam Trionfo
zx030af6.com.....	5 💬	2003-11-23	Stephen Wenzler
Kids making Spectrum games 📎	5 💬	2023-12-03	Ryan Gray
My experiences with the Bill Miller collection	5 💬	2023-11-20	Floppy Days Podcast - Ra
Interface 1	5 💬	2008-02-10	Jack Boatwright
TS2068 FPGA implementation	5 💬	2023-08-25	Phoebus R. Dokos
New labels for my DK'Tronics keyboard.	5 💬	2025-03-02	Christian Mann
ugBASIC 📎	5 💬	2025-01-27	David Anderson
ZX Spectrum Question 📎	4 💬	2024-06-15	Claudius
My visit to Portugal	4 💬	2026-03-20	Gus Lahoski
VCFSW	4 💬	2026-03-15	qwertyfan2000
Spectrum 30 event - pictures and video clips 📎	4 💬	2012-09-12	zxspectrum128
ZX mirco drive interface to ts 2060	4 💬	2004-07-10	Jack Boatwright
Beta Disk Interface - Need System Disk	4 💬	2011-03-16	jboatno41
ANN: SE Basic 2.21	4 💬	2010-12-26	cheveron
Romantic Robot Videoface	4 💬	2022-09-22	David Anderson
A couple new links (the actual email)	4 💬	2022-09-14	David Anderson
ZX Microdrive replicas	4 💬	2025-09-21	David Anderson
Timex related mention in article 📎	4 💬	2024-01-16	Charlie Day
Looks like folks are getting their ZX Spectrum Next (KS2) Kickstarter rewards...	4 💬	2023-12-29	Carl Miles
ZX-Spectrum 48k Clone	3 💬	2014-05-10	alhartman6
interface 1 and	3 💬	2005-01-18	Demetrius
T/S 2068 / Spectrum Software List; was: "Re: hello I'm using the google translat	3 💬	2012-02-09	Adam Trionfo
Bob Smith's ZX81 and ZX Spectrum Games	3 💬	2024-03-18	Adam Trionfo
For the PASCAL afflicted	3 💬	2025-10-21	David Anderson
ZX Spectrum ray tracing 📎	3 💬	2024-01-25	David Anderson
ZX Spectrum Next and Timex	3 💬	2025-08-09	Josef Jelinek
Update: Official World of Spectrum Timex Archive	3 💬	2009-04-22	cheveron
Familiar loading noise and font in Netflix's "Choose or Die"	3 💬	2022-04-19	zxspectrum128
TIMEX SINCLAIR IN THE U.K.	3 💬	2008-07-22	Alan Giles
Zebra Systems Spectrum ROM 'cart'	3 💬	2008-03-21	Louis Florit
Wireless ZX Spectrum :)‏	3 💬	2008-02-14	Adam Trionfo
Just arrived in the mail: DVD copy of "The Rubber Keyed Wonder" - 40 Years of th	3 💬	2025-02-09	Carl Miles
The TENET network 📎	2 💬	2024-10-29	David Anderson
AI recreations of ZX Spectrum loading screens	2 💬	2026-04-28	Josef Jelinek
Another ZX Spectrum image tool	2 💬	2026-04-24	David Anderson
ZX Spectrum Recreated...	2 💬	2015-06-07	alhartman6
Spectrum board testing	2 💬	2026-04-02	Gus Lahoski
Warajevo Emulator & DOSBox	2 💬	2012-09-10	hatulzabad
ZX hardware	2 💬	2004-07-01	Demetrius
Building a Raspberry Pi Pico Powered ZX Spectrum - YouTube Video	2 💬	2024-02-02	Carl Miles
New bus interface for ZX Spectrum!	2 💬	2003-07-19	Jarek Adamski
ANN: SE Basic RC1 / AY tables	2 💬	2010-02-21	cheveron
Spectrenstein Mk I 📎	2 💬	2025-07-21	Christian Mann
Spectrum 128+ Computer	2 💬	2001-11-12	Dane Stegman
Quicksilva Software	2 💬	2008-07-15	Adam Trionfo
Nice article about the Load ZX Spectrum Museum	2 💬	2022-03-11	David Anderson
Somewhat related to Adam’s lite exploration 📎	2 💬	2022-02-28	David Anderson
SPECTRUM NTSC?	2 💬	2007-02-24	John Von Draugr
ANN: Spectrum SE 0.39/128 Basic for Spectrum SE	1 💬	2006-04-05	Andrew Owen
Hi-Colour Games	1 💬	2006-02-05	Andrew Owen
Spectrum Handheld by hypermegatech	1 💬	2026-04-30	Adam Trionfo
Spectrum screen editor	1 💬	2026-04-12	David Anderson
A Monumental Breakthrough	1 💬	2026-04-03	Gus Lahoski
ZX Spectrum Laptop	1 💬	2012-08-20	pxx1_2000_32724
AYLand - AY music in internet radio	1 💬	2004-12-20	Jarek Adamski
Spectrum and Clones Computer Show, Norwich, England	1 💬	2004-10-23	indygolunaria
Need ZX Spectrum Emulator ROM	1 💬	2004-09-15	hatulzabad
ZX mirco drive interface to ts 2060	1 💬	2004-07-08	David Solly
World of Spectrum now has a Timex Archive	1 💬	2010-11-30	cheveron
ZX Spectrum Raytracer	1 💬	2024-02-03	Charlie Day
10 print on the ZX Spectrum	1 💬	2025-09-21	Tim H
ROM for Timex Interfaace with ZX+3 compatibility	1 💬	2003-03-02	Jarek Adamski
TS2068 created because the UK Spectrum wouldn't have passed FCC regs?	1 💬	2003-02-28	indygolunaria
Addendum-to Danial Santos re; 2068 to monitor	1 💬	2025-08-02	RichJ
ZX-Editor	1 💬	2025-06-16	Ryan Gray
Sir Clive Sinclair Presentation	1 💬	2008-03-18	Adam Trionfo
T/S 2000-- was is Just Meant to be a Spectrum?	1 💬	2008-02-27	Adam Trionfo
Invitation to CSSCGC 2008	1 💬	2008-02-07	digitalprawn
Rogue-like for the Spectrum 📎	1 💬	2023-07-08	David Anderson
Recording of 12/20 meeting now available!	1 💬	2021-12-22	David Anderson
USB Keyboard Interface for ZX Spectrum in development!	1 💬	2023-06-28	Carl Miles
Timex 2068 In America Using Spectrum Software	1 💬	2007-11-19	Adam Trionfo
ZX Spectrum single-board computer with a built-in keyboard and display	1 💬	2024-11-21	peyton.bratton
NTSC. sinclair	1 💬	2007-01-26	Demetrius
ZX Interface 1 for sale	8 💬	2008-11-28	zxbruno
Spectrum demo/Kraftwerk cover 📎	7 💬	2023-03-25	David Anderson
Finally selling the Didaktik Gama	7 💬	2010-12-12	Mark Scheck
At Least the Shipping is Free..... ↳	6 💬	2009-01-27	backwoods_bob
Timex 2068 Twister board	5 💬	2021-08-05	Willie Jones
"ZX Spectrum... never heard of it"	4 💬	2010-05-15	Bill Loguidice
Spectrum inspired music video	2 💬	2014-06-10	mauricio_impallari
Spectrum ZX-LPrint III printer interface listed on eBay	2 💬	2009-08-12	Rod H
TS Online User Group Meeting Monday May 4	1 💬	2026-05-02	David Anderson
ZX Spectrum Astrocade Collection 📎	1 💬	2023-02-08	Adam Trionfo
Project Update #66: ZX Spectrum Next by Henrique Olifiers	1 💬	2025-06-02	David Anderson
Modified ZX Spectrum 128K +2A for sale	1 💬	2008-12-21	zxbruno
ZX Spectrum 128K +2 and more for sale	1 💬	2008-12-02	zxbruno
[Fwd: New site as a gift for ZX Spectrum birthday: MySpeccy.com] 📎	1 💬	2008-04-22	Jack Boatwright
TS-260 vs ZX Spectrum 128K‏	1 💬	2008-01-09	Adam Trionfo
Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K for sale	1 💬	2007-07-28	zxbruno
Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128k	1 💬	2007-05-27	Demetrius