This mini forum is intended to provide a simple means of discussion about the Tandy Radio Shack  Color Computer 2 computer. If you want to share your own experience or memories, or add relevant information about this system: post a message! For other purposes like sales messages, hardware & software questions or information requests, please use our main forum.

The CoCo2 was my first computer I ever had. I actually had 2 CoCo2s, the first was one I borrowed back in 1990 from a family friend who wasn''t really using it much at the time, and that machine provided my first real personal computer experience. I remember spending hours on it typing in BASIC programs from books about the CoCo that I''d check out from the library (I even still have one program saved on cassette laying about somewhere).

The second CoCo2 I had I bought in 1992 at a local hamfest flea market (I then returned the borrowed CoCo2 I first had, since I had my own now). The fellow I bought it from actually modified the unit to have additional composite video and line audio outputs (the CoCo2 only has a stock RF output for the video), albeit the video only being black $ white. But it was still a super machine, and even came with some program cartridges (one of them was the "Audio Spectrum Analyzer" cartridge, which allowed the CoCo to function as such in real-time using the audio in from the cassette cable!).

I later acquired that same year a CoCo3 with dot-matrix printer, floppy software, and floppy drives $ controller cart from a neighbor''s rummage sale. I was rolling in the CoCo clover, so to speak! I later had also acquired from a friend a VT-100 clone terminal and a modem around the same time to access the local BBSes and the then-nascent Internet through a dial-up service offered through school. I took the printer that came with the CoCo3 and hooked it up to the terminal to make hardcopies of what I would access online!

In 1993, I got my first PC, a true-blue IBM XT, and ended up selling all my CoCo gear at one of our own family garage sales that year (something I do regret doing :-( ). But the CoCo helped me to ignite the strong interest I have in computing, and hopefully I can find another CoCo system again on eBay or elsewhere (or run an emulator otherwise), just for old time''s sake!!!

If you want to use it on a mordern TV, buy a coauxual to RCA adaptop. Connect one end or the TV cable of a video cable use for a VRC to one end then plug it into the TV out of the Co-co 2. Connect the coaxual free end to the antenna connection of the Television set. Select channel 3 on the TV, turn on the computer and it willwork. It was a gret computer to learn computer interfacing on. I use the analog ports to create a scope for checking and repairing saudio equiptment and the tape output as a signal generator.

I dont understand BASIC and the coco2 i have is junk now that we dont have a compatible TV. Is there a way to hook it up to new TVs?

My first computer was a CoCo 1. I just picked up a 'Tandy Color Computer 2 with 64kb of ram. Plugged it into the wall and TV and there it was... M$ Extended Basic! The 'puter, while not in its origional box still had the operational manuels with it. I got it at Saint Vinnie's and I figured that the books, alone, were worth the price [it cost me a buck!]. I still have the casette player from my coco1... now if I can just find the cords to connect them! For their time they were powerful educational tools, and I kicked butt at astroids!

Does anyone recall, or have a digital copy of, an old 6809 assembly language programming advertisement for a through-the-mail course, with a cartoon graphic of a beared guy in suspenders pointing his finger and saying, "I'll teach you a lesson!" ? It was a great ad, and would make great memorabilia for mousepads, coffeemugs, etc.

This was my first computer thing also. hard to call it a pc compared to today. I may still have a logo cartridge around the house somewhere. maybe i can find a backup on audio cassette somewhere.

Rick, here are some websites dedicated to trs-80 users. Hope you enjoy them.

The TRS-80 Home Page www.kjsl.com/trs80
Tim Mans TRS-80 Pages www.tim-man.org/trs80html

I guess not many people read this site. I still have all three of my coco II's from the early 1980's. It was cheaper to get a new one than to upgrade. I spent many late nights typing lines of "Q basic" from Rainbow magazine and saving it on cassette. The rom pack software was great. I still play around with it once and awhile. It was a great affordable learning tool. Where are all the old users? Would like to chat! Rick Cummins

Ahh, the TRS-80 color model 2.. the first system I ever had. it sure brings back memories; Of course, I was only 4 when I got it :)