website/content/museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-i.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Tandy Radio Shack TRS 80 MODEL I	Computers	Home Computer	U.S.A.	1977	Zilog Z80	name image company company_name specs tabs forum_thread photos adverts hardware emulators links related software oc_id source TRS 80 MODEL I /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_system_s1.jpg /companies/tandy-radio-shack Tandy Radio Shack label value NAME TRS 80 MODEL I label value MANUFACTURER Tandy Radio Shack label value TYPE Home Computer label value ORIGIN U.S.A. label value YEAR 1977 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE Basic Level 1 (4k ROM models)\ Basic Level II (12k ROM models) label value KEYBOARD Full-stroke keyboard, 53 Keys, optional numeric keypad label value CPU Zilog Z80 label value SPEED 1.77 MHz label value RAM 4 kb / 16 kb depending on models (up to 48 kb) label value VRAM 1 kb label value ROM 4 kb (Basic Level 1) or 12kb (Basic Level 2) label value TEXT MODES 32 x 16, 64 x 16 label value GRAPHIC MODES 128 x 48 label value COLORS monochrome label value SOUND None label value I/O PORTS Monitor, cassette interface, expansion port label value OS TRS DOS - NEW DOS label value PRICE #26-1003 : Model I, Level I, 16K = 700 (France,81)\ #26-1004 : Model I, Level II, 4K = 640 r (France,81)\ #26-1006 : Model I, Level II, 16K = $1099 photos adverts hardware software emulators links 406 title subtitle text image LEVEL 1 MODEL Basic version of the first Level 1 model with its power supply unit and tape recorder. /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_systeml1_s1.jpg title subtitle text image BOOT-UP SREEN /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_bootscreen_s1.jpg title subtitle text image TOP VIEW Model II connected to the expansion unit located below the monitor. /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_topview_s1.jpg title subtitle text image BOTH SIDES /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_2sides_s1.jpg title subtitle text image REAR SIDE From left to right:\ • Tape recorder DIN socket\ • Monitor DIN socket\ • Power trasformer DIN socket\ • Power switch\ • Expansion connector. /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_rearside_s1.jpg title subtitle text image COMPLETE SYSTEM Very complete (and expensive at the time!) version including the expansion unit, two floppy drive units, a 5 MB hard disk unit and the Line Printer 1 dot matrix printer. Special thanks to **Georges Chapuzot** who donated us this system. /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_completesystem_s1.jpg title subtitle text image COMPLETE SYSTEM #2 TRS 80 Model 1 + expansion unit + voice synthesizer + tape recorder + disk drives + printer /media/museum/photos/tandy_trs80-model1_complete_1.jpg title subtitle text image LEVEL I & LEVEL II Externally, the only difference is the numeric keypad added to the Level II. /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_systeml1l2_s1.jpg title subtitle text image OPENED The keyboard circuit is supported by the main board which components face the bottom of the case. This model was a Level I version converted into a level II. The BASIC ROMs are located below the numeric keypad and connected to the ROM socket of the main board by a flat cable. /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_inside_s1.jpg title subtitle text image MAINBOARD A true Level II version. **(1)** Reset switch\ **(2)** Power regulators\ **(3)** 16 KB RAM chips (8 x 4116)\ **(4)** Keyboard cable\ **(5)** Z80 CPU, here a Mostek version\ **(6)** 8K + 4K ROM chips\ **(7)** DIN sockets ans power switch. /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_mainboard_s1.jpg title subtitle text image THE BOX The box holds a complete Level 1 4K system. /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_box_s1.jpg title subtitle text image THE VERY FIRST VERSION The TRS-80 during one of its first public show, in October, 1977, with F.D. unit prototypes. /media/museum/photos/tandy_model1_first_1.jpg title subtitle text image PROMOTIONAL PICTURE /media/museum/photos/tandy-trs80m1_prm-pic.jpg title subtitle text image FIRST U.S. ADVERT (1977) /media/museum/pubs/tandy_model1_pub_4.jpg title subtitle text image U.S. ADVERT (1978) Thanks to Orion Young for this picture /media/museum/pubs/tandy_model1_pub_1.jpg title subtitle text image U.S. ADVERT (1979) /media/museum/pubs/tandy_model1_pub_2.jpg title subtitle text image MICROSOFT ADVERT (1979) Advert said: No one knows better than Microsoft how to increase your TRS-80 BASIC's power. Microsoft created the TRS-80 Level ll and Disk BASIC plus the industry standard Microsoft BASIC... ...Microsoft Level lll BASIC is an enhancement to the Level ll. It contains all Disk BASIC features not already in Level ll and it adds six new Level lll exclusives...\ ...Advanced graphics is Level lll's most exciting addition to the TRS-80 - and it's exclusive. Draw a line, outline or solid box by specifying just two points, then save it and put it back with BASIC statement. You'll find yourself writing more programs with charts, graphs and even animation... /media/museum/pubs/tandy_model1_pub_3.jpg title subtitle text image U.S. ADVERT (1980) In september 1980, over 200,000 Model 1 were sold, more than 50,000 units per month since the computer was launched. /media/museum/pubs/tandy_model1_pub_5.jpg title subtitle text image FRENCH AD (JAN. 1980) /media/museum/pubs/tandy_trs80-model1_pub_computercenter_1.jpg title subtitle text image FRENCH ADVERT (1980) Dated december 1980 /media/museum/pubs/tandy_trs80-model1_pub_grande-ouverture.gif title subtitle text image TANDY BROCHURE COVER Cover of a Tandy catalogue. /media/museum/pubs/tandy_model1_pub_6.jpg title subtitle text image VOXBOX Serial# 26-1181 The VoxBox is a voice recognition device with a CB-style microphone attached. You have to push-to-talk, and though it can only recognize a few words at a time, it is fun to play with. You can program the TRS-80 Model 1 (level II) so it can react to specific words. It cost 925fr (France, 1981) /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_voxbox_1.jpg title subtitle text image MUSIC SYNTHESIZER It has a left and right audio output. /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80_music-synthesizer_1.jpg title subtitle text image VOICE SYNTHESIZER Serial# 26-1180 This is a real voice synthesizer with built-in speaker. Is sounds too cool with its robotic voice. Can be used with Level I or II Basic but the TRS-80 must have at least 16k RAM. It cost 2695fr (France, 1981) /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_voice-synth_1.jpg title subtitle text image VOICE SYNTHESIZER Another picture /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80_voice-synthesizer_2.jpg title subtitle text image DUAL MINIDISK UNIT #1 Ref #26-1160 Up to 4 minidisks could be attached. They used 5''1/4 disks. Minidisk 1 had a capacity of 55kb and additional ones 89kb, or 160 KB for dual density version. #26-1160 : Minidisk 1 cost 470 Euros (France, 81), $699.00 (USA)\ #26-1161 : Additional minidisks cost 426 Euros (France, 81) /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model1_fdunits_s1.jpg title subtitle text image DUAL MINIDISK UNIT #2 Inside The floppy drive was a Tandon single side, single density model. /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model1_insidefdd_s1.jpg title subtitle text image 5 MB HARD DISK UNIT #1 /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model1_hdunit_s1.jpg title subtitle text image 5 MB HARD DISK UNIT #2 Inside The unit used a Tandon 5.25" HDD. Up to 4 similar HDD could be connected to this unit. /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model1_insidehdunit_s1.jpg title subtitle text image EXPANSION UNIT #1 Ref. 26-114x Most of the serious TRS-80 users bought this expansion unit which gave 16 or 32 KB more RAM. The TRS-80 thus reached a wooping 48 KB RAM It also offered a provision for using two cassette tape units, a Parallel printer port, the floppy disk controller (single then dual density), a serial port and a real-time clock interrupt that was used by various DOS systems for time keeping functions.\ French Prices (1981):\ 26-1140 : Expansion unit alone = 320 Euros\ 26-1141 : ... with 16k RAM = 452 Euros\ 26-1142 : ... with 32k RAM = 585 Euros\ 26-1102 : 16k RAM kit = 135 Euros\ US prices:\ 26-1140 : Expansion unit alone = $449\ 26-1102 : 16k RAM kit = $189 /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model1_expansionbox_s1.jpg title subtitle text image EXPANSION BOX #2 Inside This version holds 32 KB RAM and an add-on card for dual density floppy disk drives. Provision was made for the main unit's AC adaptor. /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model1_insideexpbox_s1.jpg title subtitle text image TAPE RECORDER Ref# 14-841 The tape recorder was a standard version also sold separately in Tandy shops. /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model1_taperecorder_s2.jpg title subtitle text image NUMERIC KEYPAD Serial# 26-1031 / 26-1103 The numeric keypad was mounted on 16k models, but could also be added to 4k models (Level I or II) in place of the "TRS-80" label... /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_keypad_1.jpg title subtitle text image RS232C CARD Serial# 26-1145 This RS232c card is meant to be mounted into the expansion unit and enables the TRS-80 to communicate with various devices such as a modem. It cost 729fr (France, 1981) /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_rs232c-card_1.jpg title subtitle text image RADIO SHACK MODEMS **(1) Direct-Connect Modem 1** Full-duplex modem. 300 baud Bell 103J compatible. Did not need an RS-232 board in TRS-Model 1 computers.\ **(2) Direct-Connect Modem 2** Same as Modem 1 + Built-in 6805 microprocessor. 25 chars. register to store commands and parameters for automatic dialing and operations.\ **(3) Telephone Interface 2** Used to transfer data through a telephone handset. 300 baud, full or half duplex operations. /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model1_modems_1.jpg title subtitle text image MODEM 1B /media/museum/hardware/tabdy_trs80_modem1_1.jpg title subtitle text image ACOUSTIC MODEM /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_acoustic-modem_1.jpg title subtitle text image LYNX TELEPHONE COUPLER /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model1_lynxpub_1.jpg title subtitle text image REMOTE UNIT ACTIVE Serial# 26-1210 This rare unit is meant for teachers to control up to 16 TRS-80 Model 1 from a another TRS-80 equiped with min-disk. All the controled TRS-80 model 1 must be equiped with Level II. It cost 2895fr (France, 1981) /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_remote-unit-active.jpg title subtitle text image NETWORK II BOX p/n 26-1211 This box allowed up to 16 TRS computer to be networked. Three network boxes were released by Tandy (I, II and III).\ The Network II required verbal communication between the server operator and the remote user, and data transfer had to be completed one user at a time.\ The network III allowed automated control of the network so that users could easily access programs and data stored on the server's storage device. Thanks to **David Sutherland** for the pictures. /media/museum/hardware/tandy_network2_s1.jpg title subtitle text image TRS80 PRINTER CONTROLLER /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80_printer-controller_1.jpg title subtitle text image DMP-200 80-column, 100 cps dot matrix printer. /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model3_dmp200_s1.jpg title subtitle text image QUICK PRINTER II Serial# 26-1155 Ideal affordable printer for TRS-80 users (that's what the ad says...). It uses special paper-rolls (6cm large). Can print 16 or 32 c/line. It cost 1495fr in 1981 (France). /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_quick-printer-2_1.jpg title subtitle text image DAISY WHEEL PRINTER II Serial# 26-1158 This is a high-quality printer meant to be used with wordprocessors. Some interchangeable daisy-wheels were available (Courrier, Elite, Madeleine). It could print 163 characters per line (34cm), at a 43 cps rate. It cost 9595fr (France, 1981) /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_daisy-wheel-printer-2_1.jpg title subtitle text image PLOTTER Serial# 26-1190 Multidirectionnal printer/plotter.\ 10 c/s print rate.\ Printing wide size : 19cm It cost 6250fr (France) in 1981. /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_plotter_1.jpg title subtitle text image GRAPHIC PLOTTER 4-pen mini printer-plotter /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80_graphic-plotter_1.jpg title subtitle text image LINE PRINTER I Ref# 26-7017 This printer was a custom version of the Oki Microline 80.\ Printed lower and upper case on paper rolls or listing paper (24cm wide) from 40 to 80 columns/line, at a speed rate of 28 lines/minute. It cost 716 Euros in 1981 (France). /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model1_lineprinter1_s1.jpg title subtitle text image LINE PRINTER III Serial# 26-1156 This printer can print lower and upper case, at a speed rate of 120 c/s, on paper up to 38cm wide. It is conceived for intensive use ! It cost 9950fr in 1981 (France). /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_line-printer-3_1.jpg title subtitle text image LINE PRINTER VI Serial# 26-1166 This large printer can print lower and upper case, graphic characters and symbols at a speed rate of 100 c/s ! This is definately a professional printer. It cost 5495fr in 1981 (France). /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80-m1_line-printer-6_1.jpg title subtitle text image TP-10 THERMAL PRINTER Box /media/museum/hardware/tandy_trs80_tp-10_thermal-printer_box.jpg title subtitle text image EXATRON Stringy Floppy drive The Exatron Stringy Floppy (ESF) was a low-cost data—storage system that fitted the gap, between cassettes and disk drives.\ The system was based on a miniature endless—loop tape cartridge called a "wafer".\ The amount of data that could be recorded on a wafer depended on the length of tape in it, typically, a 50—foot wafer could hold at least 40 KB of programs or data. **Matt** reports to us:\ A curiousity about the model 1, CPU SPEED had a direct relatonship with STORAGE CAPACITY. if you doubled the clock speed of your MODEL 1 CPU you doubled the amount of data you could store on your stringy floppies. this is a feat that no other computer no matter how many ghz you have in your PC can do today without using compression. Thanks to **David Sutherland** for the pictures /media/museum/hardware/tandy_model3_exatronwafer_s1.jpg title url platform text David Keil's TRS-80 Computer Emulator Pages http://discover-net.net/~dmkeil/ MS DOS This program emulates a complete TRS-80 title url platform text David Keil's TRS-80 Model III/4/4P Emulator Page http://discover-net.net/~dmkeil/trs80/model4.htm MS DOS This program emulates a complete TRS-80 title url platform text Jeff Vavasour's TRS-80 EMULATION Page http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#model1 MS DOS This emulator simulates a 48K TRS-80 Model I with 4 disk drives, printer, RS-232 board, and cassette drive. title url platform text Matthew Reed's TRS-80 Emulator Web Site http://www.arrowweb.com/mkr/ MS DOS This page offers shareware versions of a TRS-80 Model 4 emulator and a TRS-80 Model 1-2 emulator title url platform text THE TRSF-80 HOME PAGE http://members.aol.com/trsf80/ MS DOS The TRSF-80 emulator is designed to emulate a TRS-80 Model I computer on a DOS-based Intel x86 platform title url platform text TRS-80 Model III/4 Emulator http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#model4 MS DOS This TRS-80 Model III/4 Emulator is a commercial product title url platform text Yves Lempereur's TRS-80 Emulator for Mac OS http://www.vcnet.com/~skyrider/trs80.html Apple TRS-80 emulator for MAC which simulates the TRS-80 emulator simulates a TRS-80 Model I with an Expansion Interface, two 5" floppy drives and 48K of RAM title url platform text xtrs: TRS-80 Model I/III/4 Emulator for Unix http://www.tim-mann.org/xtrs.html Unix / Linux xtrs is a Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I/III/4/4P emulator for Unix and the X Window System title url platform text TRS-80 Level I BASIC in a browser http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#simulator Other platform With this Java emulator, you'll be able to write a BASIC program directly in your browser! title url platform text Ira Goldklang's TRS-80 Revived Pages http://www.trs-80.com/trs80-e.htm Multiplatform A complete list of TRS-80 emulators for various platforms ! title url platform text MESS http://www.mess.org Multiplatform MESS emulator also emulates a TRS-80 systems title url text 8bit-micro.com - Online TRS-80 Computer Magazine HTTP://WWW.8BIT-MICRO.COM Online Magazine dedicated to the TRS-80 and other Vintage - Monthly Issues title url text David's TRS-80 Page http://freespace.virgin.net/david.sampson/ title url text Ira Goldklang's TRS-80 Revived Pages http://www.trs-80.com/ Lof of infos about all TRS-80 computers title url text Java TRS-80 Model 1 BASIC Interpreter http://ganley.org/software/trs80.html title url text Mike's Personal Computer Museum http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/mclays/trsmod1.html Level 1 & 2 Basic summaries, Tandy time-lines, price-list, etc ... ! title url text RadioShackCatalogs.com http://www.RadioShackCatalogs.com Here, you can actually/virtually flip-through the pages to view the content of every RadioShack catalog! title url text The TRS-80 Home Page http://www.kjsl.com/trs80 Full of infos title url text Tim Mann's TRS-80 Page http://www.tim-mann.org/trs80.html Infos, tools and home of xtrs, a Model I/III/4 emulator for Unix title url text Web Wiz CAPTCHA http://www.webwizcaptcha.com Discussion about Tandy computers /museum/radionic-model-r1001 /museum/sysdata-eletronica-jr /museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-12 /museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-16 /museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-4 /museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-4p /museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-ii /museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-iii /software/galaxy-invasion 409 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230602050749/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=409 2023-06-02

The Tandy TRS 80 model 1 was the first member of one of the most famous computer family. It was one of the first home computer and was launched at the same time as famous computers like the Apple II or the Commodore PET. Beside, Tandy competitors nicknamed was "Trash-80".

The TRS-80 was developed was developed within the Radio Shack engeneering group, based upon several processor chips, SC/MP, PACE, 8008, 8080 and finally the Z80.

It used a black & white TV set, made by RCA, without tuner as monitor. The earlier models use a poor basic called Basic Level 1 (the Basic and the OS fit in the 4 KB ROM!). It was replaced later with the Basic Level 2 which needed a 12 KB ROM.

To offset its poor characteristics, Tandy developed a device called Expansion Interface which brings a lot of new features : additional 16 or 32kb RAM, two tape unit connectors, a printer port, a floppy disk controller, a serial port and a real time clock.

Tandy did as well 5, 10 and 15 MB hard drives. The case for them is about the size of a small PC tower. It's possible to fit 2 drives into each case. They were compatible with all TRS-80 versions.

When it was connected to a floppy disk unit, the TRS-80 uses the TRS DOS operating system, it was pretty bugged and most of the TRS-80 users prefered NEW DOS, it was an operating system done by a third-party company called Apparat. This OS was the real TRS-80 operating system.

LS-DOS was also an excellent DOS, superior to NEW DOS for most users. Interestingly, Microsoft's MS-DOS became more and more like LS-DOS each time it was updated, although never as good. LS-DOS was finally adopted by Tandy as the official DOS for the Model 4.

Documentation for all the TRS machines was superb. Even Microsoft provided documentation for its BASIC interpreter listing all the machine calls. You could use these calls when programming with either machine code or BASIC.

The Model I was followed by the TRS 80 model II (a business computer) and model III which had almost the same characteristics as the model I.

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Contributors : Donald French, Paul D Moore