Spectrum Next - Interface 1 Networking Quickie

Two Spectrum Next’s with Interface 1’s connected via a mono cable. I demonstrate loading a program via microdrive on one, and sending it to the other, then run through the basic chat program that features in the IF1 manual. Thanks to Tim Gilberts whose passion for all things vintage got me hooked on Sinclair interfaces and microdrives. Note that this can also be carried out with a Spectrum Next and an original Spectrum (one that supports the IF1 of course), however the Spectrum Next must be running in a video mode that closely resembles the 50Hz of the original Spectrum. In this example I am using RGB on one and VGA0 on the other. I have not tested higher VGA modes against original Spectrums, and HDMI did not work. Pressing Space at boot up enables you to select a different personality. From there you can select an alternate personality (48K up to 128 2 is fine) and press Space to configure it. In this case we need to switch DivMMCROM/HW to No. When booting into the personality, enabling the expansion bus requires the command... Out 9275,128:Out 9531,8 (followed by a quick reset). To set station numbers for IF1 networking... Format “n”;num (enter station number e.g. 1, 2, 3 instead of num etc). To save from node 1 to node 2 (run on node 1) SAVE * “n”;2 To load on node 2, pulling from node 1 (run on node 2) LOAD * “n”;1 Program from IF1 manual 10 OPEN #4;“n”;2: REM for output 20 INPUT a$: PRlNT #4;a$ 30 CLOSE # 4 40 OPEN #4;“n”;2: REM for input 50 lNPUT #4;b$: Print b$ 60 CLOSE #4 70 GO TO 10 On node 1 Type ’Run’ On node 2 Edit lines 10 and 40, replacing 2 with 1 Type ’Goto 40’ I couldn’t actually remember if you disable DivMMC ROM or DivMMC HW. I might have had a residual setting of No for DivMMC HW. So Disabling. DivMMC ROM may not be necessary. I’m lazy and couldn’t be bothered checking :)