International customers – please read the shipping notice below about shipping options


This project started out with me borrowing an 8701 clock chip out of a C128 for a C64. I wanted a replacement that would nicely fit in the same space in the C128. There are other replacements available but they are large and don't fit the C128 or have a large section of PCB that 'floats' over to one side. I wanted one that was small, inexpensive and 'just works', i.e. you can plug it into an NTSC or PAL machine and it will just work. There are no jumpers and the same part will work in either type of computer.

NOTE: The image of the MOS8701/HB in the C128 is an earlier PCB revision. The current V3 version is the same size so this picture does a good job of showing how nicely it fits even in the confined space of the C128. Of course it fits the C64 just as nicely.

It uses the same ICS525 clock chip many other MOS8701 replacements do. I shrunk the layout down to a board size of 0.5"x0.9" (12mmx23mm). In order to get the board down to this size I had to create offset pins/legs. My original intent was not to sell these but just do an open source project. Since the offset legs require machining a fixture to make, and some folks on Twitter were asking about getting some boards/kits I had some PCBs made up and ordered in enough parts to make up a limited number of them.

I created a special PCB fixture at the same time to be able to test every unit assembled for proper operation on both NTSC and PAL modes.

MOS8701/HB assembled and tested $14.95 for 1, $13.95 for 2+

If you want to see a video about how these are made search for 'Hey Birt!' on YouTube.

International shipping notice – We are no longer able to ship very small packages as 'Airmail', the good news is that we are now able to use a international shipping consolidation service which is faster and more economical on small to medium weight shipments. For very small packages is is more than Airmail but less than eBay.