website/content/museum/pel-varazdin-orao.md

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

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
PEL VARAZDIN Orao	Computers	Home Computer	Croatia	1985	6502	name image company company_name specs tabs forum_thread photos adverts emulators docs oc_id source Orao /media/museum/photos/velebit_orao_1s.jpg /companies/pel-varazdin PEL VARAZDIN label value NAME Orao label value MANUFACTURER PEL Varazdin label value TYPE Home Computer label value ORIGIN Croatia label value YEAR 1985 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE Basic (Pascal language supplied on tape) label value KEYBOARD Full stroke keyboard (61 keys), 4 function keys, 4 arrow keys label value CPU 6502 label value CO-PROCESSOR Unknown label value RAM 16 KB and 32 KB models (expandable to 64 KB) label value VRAM Unknown label value ROM 16 KB (monitor + BASIC) label value TEXT MODES 32 x 32 label value GRAPHIC MODES 256 x 256 label value COLORS Unknown label value SOUND Unknown label value SIZE / WEIGHT Unknown label value I/O PORTS Tape interface, TV output, Composite video output, User port, RS 232 connector label value OS DOS 0.1 label value POWER SUPPLY Power supply built-in label value PRICE 55,000 dinars planned but increased to 80,000 during production photos adverts emulators docs 955 title subtitle text image FRONT Thanks to Riba for this picture /media/museum/photos/velebit_orao_1.jpg title subtitle text image SIDE Thanks to Riba for this picture /media/museum/photos/velebit_orao_side.jpg title subtitle text image REAR From left to right : - Video connector\ - TV output\ - Tape interface\ - Printer connector\ - User port\ - Reset button\ - ??? switch\ - Power cord Thanks to Riba for this picture /media/museum/photos/velebit_orao_rear.jpg title subtitle text image FLYER Thanks to [www.peekandpoke.org](http://www.peekandpoke.org) for this picture /media/museum/pubs/pel_orao_flyer_1.jpg title subtitle text image FLYER - PAGE 2 Thanks to [www.peekandpoke.org](http://www.peekandpoke.org) for this picture /media/museum/pubs/pel_orao_flyer_2.jpg title url platform text Orao emulator http://www.foing.hr/~fng_josip/orao.htm Windows Site is in Croatian. Includes few games title url cover text USER MANUAL null /media/museum/docs/couvs/orao_manual.jpg **USER MANUAL**\ written by Velebit  compiled/archived by PONGRAÈIÆ IVAN — ZEBEC BRANKO\  type of document : PDF\  source : www.old-computers.com 981 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230608091752/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=981 2023-06-08

"Orao (English = Eagle) was an 8-bit computer developed by PEL Varaždin in 1984. It was used as a standard primary school computer in Croatia from 1985 to 1991.

Orao (code named YU102) was designed by Miroslav Kocijan to supersede Galeb (code named YU101). The goal was to make a better computer, yet with less components, easier to produce and less expensive. Originally a Motorola 6809 microprocessor was planned but was abandoned for the MOS 6502 due to being significantly more expensive." (source : Wikipedia)

Orao was the computer of choice back in the eighties for educational use in the Croatian elementary schools. When turned on it would start the monitor, and you had to type a command to start the BASIC. There is no text mode. Characters are drawn in graphic mode in an 8x8 grid, allowing the system to display 32 characters x 32 lines.

Zoran Majcenic reports (source = www.homecomputer.de):
In 1985 in Croatia (then Yugoslavia), for purposes of education, a microcomputer called Orao (Eagle) was made for elementary schools. I believe that 2 per school were produced (so they are rare). It is a computer with 16 or 32 kb of memory, 6502 processor, internal speaker, 256x256 monochrome display, built-in BASIC and MONITOR programs. It can be connected using antenna or VIDEO connector. The PSU is integrated in its casing so you just directly plug it in power outlet.

Also, according to Karlo Siljeg (source = www.homecomputer.de):
"Orao" was made by a company called PEL Varazdin, Velebit was the distributor. Velebit also distributed a number of Apple II Compatible computers called "Impuls". Impuls was a Apple II compatible made by Ivel. Ivel was a company which made oil equipment. It manufactured microcontrollers and branched out in making Apple II compatibles. The company was based in the town of Ivanjic Grad. The Ivel micro was also distributed under the Ivel name as Ivel Ultra. The Ivel micro was one of the "standard" machines by the education board and they which were distributed in Croatia (then Yugoslavia) by the education department as Impuls. The company Velebit which imported Apple's into Croatia also distributed Ivels and Orao machines

Sinisa Kolaric adds:
"Orao" came bundled with a small black-and-white monochrome monitor. Also, the mentioned "MONITOR" program was actually a rudimentary assembler for 6502. It was a basic but architecturally clean machine, relatively powerful for that age. Something like C64 but without frills. A perfect introduction to the IBM PC which came a little bit later, along with the Amiga and Atari ST.

We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.