The XE Supercart was created when Mytek started showing off networking options for the Midi XEL boards he was creating back in 2019. At the time he was loading the program from his XEL-CF board. I have always been a bit partial to cartridge based software because files can get trashed much easier than eproms. The original idea came from a website RetroGames I modified the schematic for 128K sized eproms and created several different pcb versions for various style cartridge shells. Currently I can only say that Midi-Maze works with these boards, but it is possible to use other games that employ the same type of memory banking
This is just some text for tips tab
These boards simply extends the internal cartridge connector a little further so that some cartridges can now be inserted into a 1200XL. There are no active or even passive components. Literally it is simply a card edge connector soldered to a pcb
This is the only part needed for either 1200XL Extension PCB
This pcb simply allows you to gain access to the cartridge signals much easier.
This is the only part needed for the cartridge breakout pcb
This cartridge allows you to switch between two different cartridges, but only one at a time is active. Thanks go to tf_hh for supplying the switching logic for the GAL chip. Not all cartridges do work. I have had problems with any cartridge that uses bank switching.
This set of boards allows you to extend the reach of the 800XL cartridge guide connector to upto 12" reliably from the motherboard position. For those who would like to install their Atari 8 bit motherboard in a different case. This also may work on the 1088XEL/1088XLD series of reimaged Atari 8bit computers from Mytek although they are not designed physically to do so.
I have used upto 18" in ribbon cable length between the buffer board and the cartridge guide board, but sometimes ran into strange behavior. I do not recommend longer than 12". Be aware that the IDC cable connector is inserted from the back on the cartridge guide board and soldered on the front side. You can design and 3d print an 800XL cartridge guide, but if possible use the original one as it will be stronger and the board is designed to use it.
XL/XE Cartridge Guide Extender
This file contains schematics, parts placement diagrams BOM and pcb gerbers