I’m continuing to update my old “Rusty” system. It has the original “Les Bird” front panel (Rev. 1.1). I’d like to add backlight LEDs. The PCboard has holes to accommodate this but (and here’s my question) I believe they are not internally connected anywhere? That is, to add an LED I can pass it through and solder to the board but I’ll have to attach a current limiting resistor and wires to GND and +5V, correct? I can’t see the front of the PCboard (keyswitches are installed) but it appears there are no traces on the board connecting with the LED holes.
Here’s an example from Terry G. of backlighting with this early board:

(from: SEBHC Member Photos)
Thanks for any help/suggestions!
I believe they are not internally connected anywhere? Correct!
Better off to get the latest Front Panel pcb as it has all the LEDs wired.
Norberto
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On Apr 27, 2025, at 1:18 AM, norberto.collado koyado.com <norberto...@koyado.com> wrote:
I believe they are not internally connected anywhere? Correct!
Better off to get the latest Front Panel pcb as it has all the LEDs wired.
Norberto
From: se...@googlegroups.com <se...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of glenn.f...@gmail.com
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2025 6:55 PM
To: se...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [sebhc] keypad backlighting on the original "Les Bird" front panel
I’m continuing to update my old “Rusty” system. It has the original “Les Bird” front panel (Rev. 1.1). I’d like to add backlight LEDs. The PCboard has holes to accommodate this but (and here’s my question) I believe they are not internally connected anywhere? That is, to add an LED I can pass it through and solder to the board but I’ll have to attach a current limiting resistor and wires to GND and +5V, correct? I can’t see the front of the PCboard (keyswitches are installed) but it appears there are no traces on the board connecting with the LED holes.
Here’s an example from Terry G. of backlighting with this early board:
<image001.jpg>
(from: SEBHC Member Photos)
Thanks for any help/suggestions!
- Glenn
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Rectangular box cabinets are certainly easier to make than the more elegant sloping front of the original H8. A few years back when Terry (Terry S not Terry G!) organized a small group purchase from Protocase, a fabricator, the results were similar. Very nicely built cabinet (today my “main” H8 system) but these were still pricey (around $400 as I recall):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wnQwoHfMA17bUurA6
In a subsequent design Terry added a sloped front
(see also attached pdf…)
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