Tandy Tech Track
Tandy Tech Track is our special Friday event which consists of a set of highly-technical and informative classes taught by some of the leading figures in the vintage Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 community. The Tech Track classes will be held in the speakers room. There is an additional cost to attend Tandy Tech Track on Friday.
Fees
- Tandy Tech Track Attendee: $30 includes one entry fee for all 3 days
- Tandy Tech Track Exhibitor: $50 includes one exhibitor table and one entry fee for all 3 days
- All proceeds pay for the costs of running the event.
Please pay via PayPal to tandyassembly@gmail.com
The Classes
TTT101
Title: CP/M on the TRS-80: An Introduction
Instructor: Tim Halloran
Home: Pittsburgh, PA
Abstract: This technical presentation explores the methods and challenges of running the CP/M operating system on Tandy's popular TRS-80 microcomputers (including Business systems). While TRSDOS and its tree of derivative DOSs served TRS-80 users, accessing the vast library of CP/M software required adaptations. We will delve into how CP/M works and introduce popular third-party CP/M implementations (e.g., Pickles & Trout, FMG, Lifeboat). Discuss the BIOS-level customizations needed to bridge the gap between the CP/M standard and the TRS-80's unique architecture. Discover the technical ingenuity that transformed the TRS-80 into a capable CP/M workhorse.
Bio: Tim Halloran has a Ph.D. in Software Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, a M.S. in Computer Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, and a B.S. in Computer Science from the Air Force Academy. He has 30 year of experience in the software development industry. Tim is a TRS-80 enthusiast of both the Z80 and the CoCo computers.
TTT102
Title: The MIDI/80 and Software
Instructor: Joel Hilliard
Home: Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
Abstract: A Presentation covering the MIDI80, the core functions and hardware, how it works and demonstration of the software including the TRACKER, STORCH (Stereo Orchestra Organ) as well as examples of MIDI Control IN, OUT and THRU including controlling the Orchestra-90 and how you can fit the TRS-80 in the studio!
Bio: Born and raised in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area since the 1980s, Joel developed a deep interest in computers and music at an early age. He holds a bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity from ITT Tech and currently serves as a manager at a Fortune 100 company in Dallas. Computers have profoundly shaped his life, and it was at RadioShack stores that he learned about electronics and technology, which inspired him to collect and restore various vintage machines, including the full line of Z80 microcomputers. When he's not busy tackling complex cybersecurity issues, or the necessary repairs and maintenance these classic machines require, Joel enjoys merging his love for the classic TRS-80 with music, creating a unique sound and experience.
TTT103
Title: Rebuilding the TRS-80 Model I: A Reverse Engineering Journey
Instructor: Marcel Erz
Home: Freemont, CA
Abstract: In this talk, I’ll walk through my journey of reverse engineering the TRS-80 Model 1, sharing some of the curiosities I found and highlighting key differences across various board revisions. I’ll also discuss the development of custom parts I’ve created over the past year—including a replacement keyboard, case, and other hardware—offering a look at what it takes to recreate and preserve such an iconic machine from the inside out.
Bio: Marcel has a deep curiosity for how computers truly work—beyond abstraction layers and modern toolchains. What began as a late pandemic project quickly evolved into a hands-on journey through the architecture of early computing. Marcel reverse engineered the TRS-80 Model 1 and has since recreated its various revisions, custom keyboards, cases, and internal components. Along the way, he self-taught himself digital electronics, mechanical design, and fabrication techniques—turning learning into building, and building into preserving.
TTT104
Title: Building Modern Accessories for Vintage Computers for Fun and Profit.
Instructor: Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)
Home: Rolla, Missouri, USA
Abstract: When working with our vintage computers we all get ideas about some new modern accessory that would be nifty. We might grab an Arduino, etc. and whip up a prototype. Flush with excitement that our gadget works we wonder if other folks would like one too.
What is really involved in building and marketing modern accessories for vintage computers? What are the challenges? What are the rewards? Will you make a few $$ or will you lose $$$. This is the story of my journey…
Bio: Jeff grew up in central Ohio about 30 miles from Springfield where Tandy Assembly is held. The past 31 years he has lived in the Missouri Ozarks. A jack of all trades he has repaired computers, fax machines, worked in industrial automation and electronics manufacturing before finally settling in for the last 23 years at Missouri University of Science and Technology as an engineer designing and building machinery and apparatus for research projects. An interest in vintage computing sprang up about 15 years ago in an effort to recover childhood C64 disks and replace a long-lost Tandy PC-6.
TTT105
Title: Exploring 513: A Technical Look at VIS
Instructor: Christopher Hyzer (TJBChris)
Home: Berlin, CT
Abstract: The VIS (Video Information System) may not have been successful in the market, but it represents a unique implementation of a PC-ish x86 architecture. It represents a subset of PC BIOS, DOS, and Windows with a slew of specialty calls and interfaces intended for set-top implementations with easy application portability from the PC. In this presentation, I’ll dive into a brief overview of VIS, its future and fate, followed by a look at some of the technical aspects of the platform. I’ll look at the available app. environments, the licensing and security system, similarities and differences to the PC architecture, and some of the unique features and system calls. Finally, we’ll look at how you can write software for the system using “classic” (legacy) tooling.
Bio: Chris grew up during the 1980s in rural upstate NY with a deep curiosity about technology. His interest in computers began at age six, when an Apple IIe was added to his first grade classroom. His relentless appeals to his parents for a computer led the family to the Color Computer 3 in 1987. Over the years, the CoCo 3 taught him a broad spectrum of computing concepts from BASIC, 6809 assembly programming, communications and the foundational concepts of UNIX-like operating systems via OS-9. These skills have led to successful career managing enterprise infrastructure spanning over the past 20 years from the hypervisor on up to to mid-tier J2EE applications and later Big Data and the Cloud. Chris' career finances his quest to experience all of Tandy's gems that were out of his reach as a child, where he has acquired systems in almost every line of Tandy computers from 1977-1993. Follow Chris' quest on YouTube. He is @TJBChris.