| |
Where to get PDP-11's and parts:
 | keep an eye on
alt.sys.pdp11 a.k.a. the info-pdp11 mailing list. Some time back there was
an announcement that said, in effect: "I've got to clear all these old VAXes
and PDP-11's out of here before the carpenters arrive. Somebody rent a truck
and come get this stuff quick, or I'll have to toss it in the dumpster."
|
| ClassicCmp: a very active email
list for all sorts of computers that are at least 10 years old. Free
equipment, trade offers, and "for sales" are fairly common here also.
|
|
eBay. The best general source for PDP-11 parts. In one month I bought the
following on eBay:
 | KDJ11-SD for $5 |
| RQDX3 for $10 |
| DELQSA for $8.50 |
| MSV11-JE (2 meg PMI RAM card for my 11/83) for $8.
|
|
| Used parts distributors:
It's been a while since I've used many of these -- inventories may have
changed.
Dealers are trying to make a living by doing this, so they have to charge
often more than what the hobbyist can afford. When you go to a used DEC
dealer, you are competing with the likes of Lockheed, refineries, the
military, and other large organizations that are still running factories and
other mission critical systems with PDP-11s. But on older, less in-demand
parts, and parts that are plentiful, they can sometimes be pretty reasonable.
Also, you can sometimes work out a trade with a dealer. I have heard that you
need to beware of sharp business practices with some of these. I have had
nothing but good experiences with Arclight, Keyways, and USCE.
Some people are located near surplus dealers where you can go browse around
a warehouse of scrap computer stuff (or sometimes outdoors). I don't know
anything about it, because I don't have the right location or time for that.
|
Use the PDP-11 Field Guide
to tell you what's what.
|
