Anyone own the optional communication interface board?

[Hydreigon]

First off, the board itself isn't very common to find because of the fact only one known game uses this board (I'm sure some of you will figure out soon). Aside from the fact nobody else mentioned this board, the hardware this board consists of is rather interesting for what Taito developed. The board itself sits on top of the FC pcb.

Specs:

• H8/3062 HD64F3062F CPU; clock not known; has an internal rom yet to be dumped.
• IDT7024 4k x 16 bit dual port ram; most likely shared ram between the G-Net board and communications cpu
• SMSC COM2002ILJP Arcnet controller w/2k x 8 bit ram.
• HYC2485S RS485 transceiver

Notes:

• This is a bit strong for a communication interface board. Taito probably had more games in store to use this board for networking but got scrapped due to unpopularity of this board or the one game that used this board.
• A method of acquiring the H8/3062's internal rom is yet to be known. That chip did get donated in the past to a decapping service but the status of the donated chip remains unknown.
• Only four units can be connected as mentioned on the pcb. A rotary switch determines the network ID as only values 1-4 are valid.
• These units are connected in a bus which normally wouldn't be possible without an RS485 transceiver. A termination switch used for the first and last units in the chain exists for this very reason.
• The plugs are RJ-11 ports, commonly used in most old telephones, with only two wires used most likely being the A and B lines from the RS485 transceiver.

Best of luck because of the whole CPU internal rom situation where these are 99% read protected.

Also labeled as "K91X0762A/J9100502A ARC COM PCB".

 

[Demented Gamer]

Ive done many searches of old ebay listings. Not sure if this is fake but possibly you could track down the sellers and locate where these boards ended up.

More fakery dont know. Translates to $33 from here. This actually let me put it in cart.

 

[nem]

That pic is from a Yahoo or Mercari listing. They pop up every now and then for around 3000 jpy. There's a dry spell right now, but there were five or six pieces in the past 6 months (ask me how I know).

The eBay seller is just some asshole middleman.

 

[Demented Gamer]

I just ordered one from the emporium lol. It was only $50 shipped. If Im out $50 then its no harm no foul. All for the name of science. Not sure if you need two but I would be shocked if anything comes. As of now I have 2 Gnet boards in working condition and bios upgraded.

 

[nem]

You need one per each motherboard, and there's one only game that supports the communications kit (RC de Go).

$50 shipped is a decent price. I probably paid around the same with middleman fees and shipping to and from Japan. While maybe somewhat unscrupulous, you will get what you pay for with Emporium.

 

[Demented Gamer]

You need one per each motherboard, and there's one only game that supports the communications kit (RC de Go).

$50 shipped is a decent price. I probably paid around the same with middleman fees and shipping to and from Japan. While maybe somewhat unscrupulous, you will get what you pay for with Emporium.

Yes that was the idea. I posted the hack of the Hori controllers which I own two of also. I paid a total of $45 for the two controllers on ebay. The whole thing came right under $1000. Not as elusive as the Kizuna Encounter 4 player board.