WP-2

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Manuals

https://archive.org/search.php?query=Tandy%20WP-2

RAM Disk

Battery-backed SRAM powered by the wall power when present, the AA batteries when wall power is absent, and the CR2430 coin cell when wall power and AA batteries are absent.

Internal ram upgrade socket can take a single chip, either 32K or 128K.

  • 32K: 32Kx8 parallel SRAM, 5v, low power, DIP-28
  • 128K: 128Kx8 parallel SRAM, 5v, low power, DIP-32

Many different chips are compatible. Here are just a few for example & reference:

Hitachi HM628128LP
Alliance AS6C1008-55PCN from DigiKey or from Mouser <-- BEST BATTERY LIFE
ICSI IS62C1024LL-70W also LL or L, 70 or 55
BSI BS62LV1024PC-70 also 1025 or 1027 or 1028, PC or PI, 70 or 55
Toshiba TC551001CP-70L
AMIC LP621024D-70LL
Goldstar GM76C8128
Samsung KM681000BLP-7L
ASI MT5C1008CW-70L/883C

Generic ebay search for the type of chip, not a particular part number:
https://ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=128Kx8+sram+dip+32

Installation notes:

  • Turn the PROTECT switch OFF before installing.
  • Press the Reset pin or F2+CTRL+BKSP after power-on after installing.
  • Format the new ramdisk: FILES -> RAM DISK -> HELP -> Format

The reset will have wiped your system settings, so you may need to configure the battery type again:

  • SETUP -> System -> Battery type

Expansion Card

Original

DIY

RAM Card


ROM Card

https://github.com/bkw777/WP-2_IC_Card

References / notes

http://randomvariations.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMG_8920_wp2_zork1.jpg
Toshiba Memory Card / IC Card
32K, 64K, or 128K RAM card
32K, 64K, 128K, or 256K ROM card

Connector that fits the Expansion port:

Similar to PC-Card/Cardbus/PCMCIA, but thinner with a single row of pins instead of two rows of pins.
38 pins, single row, 1.27mm pitch
Card main body 3.2mm thick x 54mm wide
File:JC20-B38S-F1.pdf
JAE JC20-B38S-F1-A1 0.29mm-0.45mm pcb, centered, https://www.asapaog.com/rfq/japan-aviation-electronics/jc20-b38s-f1-a1/
JAE JC20-B38S-F2-A1 0.5mm pcb, offset
JAE JC20-B38S-F3-A1 0.2mm pcb, offset

Memory Battery

CR2430

Binary Apps

See the Service Manual pages 4-16 and D-1.

CamelForth FORTH Interpreter

ZXZVM Infocom Z-Machine Interpreter

Support Software

WP2DOS TPDD emulator and document conversion utility.

Accessories

WP-2 can use a Tandy Portable Disk Drive, or clones like Brother FB100, knitking FDD19, Purple Computing D103, or emulators like dplus or laddiealpha.

TPDD
TPDD server

Serial Cable for TPDD

To connect a real TPDD to the WP-2, you need a DE9F to DB25F straight through (not null-modem) cable or combination of cables and adapters.
To avoid putting strain on the serial plug, It's better to use a cable with just a DB9M one one end, rather than, say, a 9-25 adapter plugged right into the WP-2. A cable that has DE9F on one end, and DB25F on the other end, and straight-through wiring (not null-modem) all in one piece is uncommon. It will be simpler to get a standard 9-25pin "modem" cable, and a 25pin female-female gender-changer.

https://amazon.com/dp/B002I9XYCC
https://amazon.com/dp/B0006IEV6U

Another option is you can build a custom TPDD cable just for connecting a TPDD to a WP-2 or PC

https://github.com/bkw777/TPDD_Cable#for-tandy-wp-2-most-modern-pcs-most-usb-serial-adapters-and-anything-else-with-a-de9m-dte-port

Serial Cable to PC

To use a TPDD emulator, you need a 9-pin female null-modem serial cable.

To connect a WP-2 to a PC with a real com port, you can use a DE9F to DE9F null-modem cable:

https://amazon.com/dp/B00QM8ZP5E

or

https://amazon.com/dp/B00006B8BJ

To connect to a standard usb-serial adapter with DE9M connector, assuming the usb-serial adapter has a few feet of usb cable, you can use a mini null-modem adapter instead of a serial cable.

https://amazon.com/dp/B075XGRLXW

To connect directly to a PC usb port in a single dedicated-purpose cable with no adapters:

https://amazon.com/dp/B07DRHB264
https://amazon.com/dp/B01MY9INHL
https://amazon.com/dp/B008634VJY