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The Return of the VecVox

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Nov 11, 2009, 5:10:50 PM11/11/09

I'm being a little premature in posting this, but I can't really keep
this to myself anymore...

A new version of the AtariVox has been created by Richard and I've
been assembling them. It's called the AtariVox+. The + part is
switchable support for VecVox and VecVoice mode. You do have to pry
open the case and twiddle dipswitches to switch modes, but that's a
small price to pay for effectively getting two units for the price of
one (AtariVox and VecVox/VecVoice). We're even planning to have two
labels. On one side of the case it would have an AtariVox label, and
on the flipside, a VecVox label.

I also have a supply of 99 extension cables which are required to
attach the VecVox to the Vectrex's recessed port. This is typically
not required with 2600s. So I'm hoping that will be enough for a
while.

I'm not sure how many VecVoxes have been built over the years, but
what I'd like to eventually see happen is for people to swap their old
boards for new ones. Since the Speakjet is by far the most expensive
component on the board, this would be a very inexpensive thing to do,
in exchange for AtariVox support, as well as access to the EEPROM chip
for new games. Actually, Richard tells me that with the right drivers
you could just use a stock AtariVox with the Vectrex. Nobody's ever
tried to do this. If something close to a full upgrade were performed
with users of the VecVox, then maybe it would pave the way for new
games to use the EEPROM. The EEPROM has more capacity in it than the
one being included with some of the newer homebrews. So it might be a
good thing to use. We would just need updated driver code written for
it.

The AtariVox+ is scheduled to be sold this holiday season through
AtariAge.

http://www.atariage.com

And here is where I maintain my AtariAge blog.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?app=blog&module=display&section=blog&blogid=103&

Thanks!