FairLight TV 128a takes viewers inside the Swedish Commodore Club, where Magnus Anemot presents his passion for creating custom hardware. The session, captured during a club meeting, focuses on PCB design, building peripherals, and the creativity that continues to drive the Commodore scene. While the presentation is in Swedish, the technical details and enthusiasm are clear.
From VIC-20 to Commodore 64
Magnus begins by sharing his personal history with Commodore computers. After briefly experimenting with the VIC-20, he discovered the greater potential of the Commodore 64. He recalls the 1980s as a time when users pressed hardware to its limits and often built their own add-ons to expand performance. His story connects with many enthusiasts who followed a similar path.
Building Value in Hardware
For Magnus, creating hardware is as much about learning as it is about results. He explains the excitement of assembling custom cartridges, power supply fixes, or breakout adapters, and the nervous thrill of powering them up for the first time. This sense of accomplishment is at the heart of what makes the Swedish Commodore Club such a gathering point for like-minded creators.
PCB Design in Practice
The talk includes a practical overview of printed circuit boards. Magnus explains their structure, from fiberglass bases to copper traces, vias, and solder masks. He highlights software tools like Fusion 360 and KiCad that help enthusiasts design schematics and board layouts. Beginners get clear advice on choosing through-hole versus surface-mount components, depending on their goals.
From Ideas to Projects
Magnus showcases his own projects, including a safer power supply board for the Commodore 64, video and audio adapters, a real-time clock cartridge, and even a full Commodore case built entirely from PCBs. Some devices serve practical needs, while others are more experimental, such as LED boards that visualize data activity. Each project demonstrates the creativity that still thrives within the Swedish Commodore Club community.
Creativity Keeps the Scene Alive
Magnus closes by stressing the value of experimentation. Whether building to solve problems, improve existing designs, or just for fun, creating hardware keeps the retro community active. The session shows how the Commodore spirit of the 1980s lives on through those who continue to design and share their work today.
Watch the full episode on FairLight TV to see Magnus Anemot’s complete presentation and discover why the Swedish Commodore Club remains an inspiring hub for retro enthusiasts.
