Xetec Fontmaster 128 Hardware Key

This is a reproduction hardware key/dongle for the Xetec Fontmaster 128 software, released for the Commodore 128 in 1986.  The dongle plugs into the cassette port and is required for the software to function properly; as such, it implements a basic form of copy protection.

The active component on the PCB is a 74X195 shift register.  It is configured to recieve a clock signal from a cassette port pin, shift a hard-wired sequence of bits, and measure the sequence through another cassette port pin.

The software manual, which includes a brief description of the dongle, is available at: https://www.retro-commodore.eu/download.php?file=Xetec_Fontmaster_128.pdf.

Parts required for assembly:

• (1) Any flavor of the 74x195 logic IC
• (1) 805 Series 3.96mm Pitch Female Edge Connector

To install in a C128D, cut and remove the screwhole mounting blocks from the sides of the 805 series edge connector.  Other C128 computers will accept the dongle.as-built.