The Sinclair QL Forum

I was wondering if anyone knows what type of ribbon cable this is please?

When searching the web all I find is normal ribbon cable which is the wrong width between cables

The image is actually a BBC ribbon cable but they are too short length wise

I think it would be a simpler job to repair with the correct ribbon cable

Many thanks

The actual Schon cable (with a dodgy looking jumper lead!)

Specifically I need to replace the 9 pin at the moment, but may do both if that goes well

(Was toying with removing the sockets from the mobo and making permanent connections to get rid of the connector boards but I can't be trusted to put my soldering skills, or lack of, anywhere near the QL motherboard!)

No idea about the cable, but your soldering issue is your not getting the parts hot enough! That is clear from the state of the solder, it should flow and be smooth and shiney!

XorA wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 3:41 pm No idea about the cable, but your soldering issue is your not getting the parts hot enough! That is clear from the state of the solder, it should flow and be smooth and shiney!

Apart from the red lead, which was just a quick bodge, the rest is all factory or did you mean the red lead?

I've swapped out the 2 ribbon cables for breadboard cables now and the Schon is working again

The QL case only "just" fitted back together though because of the extra thickness of the cables. Am hoping I never need to open this QL again

I mean the red lead! That's an obvious bad joint.

XorA wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 4:55 pm I mean the red lead! That's an obvious bad joint.

In my defence, it was one of the few cables still working

But I know I don’t have a clue about soldering and I’m cool with that (especially as it’s the only thing that gives my hand the shakes for some odd reason)

Maybe one day I’ll have time for a tutorial!

Could you use normal ribbon cable, and only use every other wire. Chopping the unused one's off.
Or is the pitch of the cable wrong for that.

Edit. What about something like this https://uk.farnell.com/pro-power/pp0026 ... dp/3050573

Martin_Head wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 8:45 am Could you use normal ribbon cable, and only use every other wire. Chopping the unused one's off.
Or is the pitch of the cable wrong for that.

Edit. What about something like this https://uk.farnell.com/pro-power/pp0026 ... dp/3050573

Both solutions would have worked, I didn't even think to compare the pitch of the ribbon cables

Will live with what I've done for now and if it fails again will use normal ribbon cable as you suggested

Many thanks

I used the cables below.

Soldered one end to the keyboard and the other end fits tightly in the keyboard connector on the QL board. Its the correct pitch.

Bought from Digikey. Manufacturer code A9AAT-1106F and A9AAT-0906F

Ronan Ward wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 3:30 pm I used the cables below.

Soldered one end to the keyboard and the other end fits tightly in the keyboard connector on the QL board. Its the correct pitch.

Bought from Digikey. Manufacturer code A9AAT-1106F and A9AAT-0906F

Neat. Will get those if my current repair fails

Many thanks