2026

Oct 2 - Oct 4, 2026

Cincinnati, OH

CALL FOR SPEAKERS!


If you have an interesting topic you would like to present or talk about and will be coming to Tandy Assembly, we would like to hear from you. Please use this form to register for a presentation and send to tandyassembly@gmail.com. We would like to get presentations for all of the Tandy platforms: Coco, Model I/III/4/4P, Model II, pocket computers, Tandy 1000, MC-10, Model 100 and any other computers produced by Tandy in the 70's and 80's.



Speakers



Jerry Heep

"Meet Jerry Heep, a Tandy Corp Engineer from 1975 to 2012"



Jerry Heep was the longest-serving Tandy R&D employee, working as a Senior Project Engineer from 1975-2012. Among his 37 year tenure, he designed everything from Project Green Thumb (precursor to CoCo 1), firmware for modems and infrared remotes, and automated the Tandy Center lights using a proprietary network.


"I was asked to speak about my projects up to the Color Computer design. I did not design the Color Computer, but had tested the SAM chips circuitry, TV interface and modem. I, along with Motorola, designed the Green Thumb Box. The GTB was an experiment in video texting between a farmer and his ag agent and/or feed/fertilizer supplier. I was hired before John Roach (VP of manufacturing at the time) and consolidated the factory engineers to form Tandy System Design. I can answer questions from my entire tenure at Tandy/RadioShack. By the time of the GTB, I worked for Tandy Electronics Design – "The Analog" guys. We had split from Tandy Systems Design, "The Computer" guys. Tandy Systems Design did all the computer work (Except modems and power supply design.)"


Michael Nadeau

"80 Micro, HOT CoCo, and the Early Days of Computer Magazines"



Michael Nadeau has spend more then 40 years in tech publishing, from the early days of microcomputers to the era of enterprise software and cloud computing. He joined Wayne Green Inc. at 80 Microcomputing as a junior editor in April 1981. He became editor-in-chief of HOT CoCo when that magazine launched, eventually returning to 80 Micro as editor-in-chief. At BYTE, he first managed the magazine’s testing lab and then became executive editor. Nadeau will share stories of the early days of computer publishing as well as anecdotes about the early computer industry.


Bio: Michael Nadeau is the former editor-in-chief of 80 Micro and HOT CoCo magazines, and the former excutive editor of BYTE. Recently retired, he has also worked for or contributed to many other computer and technology publications such as CSO, Data Informed, SAP Experts, and Family PC. Nadeau is also the author of Collectible Microcomputers and the BYTE Guide to CD-ROM. He currently volunteers at local energy-related organizations and writes articles for cybersecurity publications.







Guidelines for Tandy Assembly Speakers and Presentations


  1. If we need to reach out to you about schedule changes, the topic of your presentation, etc, its important that you respond to us in a timely manner.
  2. Tandy Assembly is a family friendly conference. Some people bring their children to the event. Keep this in mind when putting together your presentation and refrain from inappropriate language and content.
  3. We use YouTube to live stream and record Tandy Assembly presentations. Please do not include music that exceeds “fair use” standards or may otherwise be flagged for copyright violations.
  4. Always be supportive of the other speakers. We're all friends, be supportive and don't speak negatively about other speakers at the event.
  5. We each have our own religious and political beliefs, but a Tandy Assembly presentation is not an appropriate place to express these. Please refrain from political and religious content in your presentation.
  6. Presentations should be relevant to Tandy / Radio Shack computers. This does not mean that your presentation must be technical, but you should always keep Tandy/Radio Shack computers in the context of your presentation.
  7. Please stick to the time allotted to you for your presentation and allow time for Q&A. If there are more questions when your time is up, you can handle these one on one outside the speaking area. Please respect other's by staying within your allotted time.