Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- keyboard:ibm_multistation [22 Apr 2026 00:04] – created frutiger
+++ keyboard:ibm_multistation [25 Apr 2026 16:47] (current) – frutiger
@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 |  **IBM Multistation Keyboard Series**  ||
-| \\ {{keyboard:tmp?400|ibm multistation}} ||
+| \\ {{keyboard:ibm:img_1297.jpg?400|ibm multistation 5556 001}} ||
 | **Switch** | [[switch:alps_skcl_brown|Alps SKCL Brown]]\\ [[switch:alps_skcl_green|Alps SKCL Green]]\\ [[switch:alps_skcl_yellow| Alps SKCL Yellow]]\\ [[switch:alps_skcm_beige|Alps SKCM Beige]]\\ [[switch:alps_skcm_black|Alps SKCM Black]] |
 | **Sense method** | [[Metal Contact|Metal Contact]]  |
 | **Protocol** | [[XT|XT]]  |
 | **Keycaps** | [[Doubleshot ABS|Doubleshot ABS]]  |
-</WRAP>
-<WRAP center round important 40%>
-WIP document
 </WRAP>
@@ Line 22: / Line 16: @@
 The IBM Multistation Keyboard generally refers to keyboards with the 5556 code, produced for use with the IBM 5550 Multistation computers. As the Multistation was mostly marketed in countries using CJK characters, the majority of Multistation keyboards originate from East Asia.
-Several models of 5556 do not appear to have been manufactured for use with the Multistation computer; the 5556-005 (and possibly 5556-006 and 5556-007) use a completely distinctive design and form factor that sets them apart. Likewise, there appear to be a number of keyboards with similar form factors to the 5556 Multistation keyboards which were not produced for the Multistation, such as the IBM 5576-001 and IBM 3194 (P/N 64X9710).
+Several models of 5556 do not appear to have been manufactured for use with the Multistation computer; the 5556-005 (and possibly 5556-006 and 5556-007) use a completely distinctive design and form factor that sets them apart. Likewise, there appear to be a number of keyboards with similar form factors to the 5556 Multistation keyboards which were not produced for the Multistation, such as the IBM 5576-001 and IBM 3194 (P/N 64x9710).
 ===== Construction =====
@@ Line 38: / Line 32: @@
 === Switches ===
-Models procured for IBM Japan mostly used [[switch:alps_skcl_green|Alps SKCL Green]]. Variants procured for the Korean market have been documented with [[switch:alps_skcl_brown|Alps SKCL Brown]] instead.
+Models procured for IBM Japan mostly used [[switch:alps_skcl_green|Alps SKCL Green]]. Variants procured for the Korean market have been documented with [[switch:alps_skcl_brown|Alps SKCL Brown]] instead.((
+[[https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=27461]]
+))
 ===== Gallery =====
-=== IBM 5556-001 ===
+=== IBM 5556-001 (Hiragana layout) ===
-  * Manufactured for IBM Japan
+  * P/N 477313
-  * Alps SKCL Green
+  * S/N 9910379
-  * Old variant
+Illustrated in the gallery is the first-generation version, with the spherical ABS keycaps and painted case. This particular example has early black switchplate Alps SKCL Green switches.
 <gallery showcaption>
-keyboard:ibm:multistation
+keyboard:ibm:img_1297.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1298.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1299.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1300.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1301.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1302.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1303.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1304.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1305.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1306.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1307.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1308.jpg
 </gallery>
-{{tag>keyboard:sense-contact keyboard:oem-alps keyboard:keycaps-doubleshot}}
+=== IBM 5556-004 (Katakana Layout) ===
+  * P/N 4773178
+Illustrated in the gallery is the later version, with standard cylindrical keycaps and unpainted case. This example has Alps SKCL Yellow switches.
+<gallery showcaption>
+keyboard:ibm:img_1323.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1324.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1325.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1327.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1329.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1331.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1337.jpg
+keyboard:ibm:img_1339.jpg
+</gallery>
+{{tag>keyboard:sense-contact keyboard:oem-alps keyboard:oem-ibm keyboard:keycaps-doubleshot}}
+=== Acknowledgements ===
+A large amount of documentation originally procured by mcmaxmcmc on the Deskthority forums. Other sources include Ardent Tool of Capitalism (Sandy/Major Tom), Kenjin (IT), and Qwerters Clinic (Mr. Tanaka).