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NSC Novus Electronics NS103A Data Checker

Date of introduction:  1981 Display technology:  LCD
New price:   Display size:  8
Size:  2.8" x 6.0" x 0.30"
 71 x 153 x 8 mm3		    
Weight:  2.8 ounces, 79 grams Serial No:  
Batteries:  2*LR44  Date of manufacture:  mth 02 year 1982
AC-Adapter:   Origin of manufacture:  Taiwan
Precision:  8  Integrated circuits:  NEC uPD1833G
Memories:  3    
Program steps:   Courtesy of:  Alex Balasa
    Download manual:   (US: 2.0 MByte)

National Semiconductor entered the market of Checkbook Calculators with the NS103 Data Checker in May 1978. It features Account Manager functionality with three permanent (till you remove the batteries) Memories and started a very successful product line. We discovered as of now seven different family members:

• 1978: National Semiconductor NS103, 3 Memories
• 1979: National Semiconductor NS107, 2+1 Memories, Credit card size
• 1980: National Semiconductor NS103A, 3 Memories
• 1981: This NSC Novus Electronics NS103A, 3 Memories
• 1981: NSC Novus Electronics NS101A, 1 Memory
• 1982: NSC Novus Electronics NS101A, 1 Memory, Gold
• 1982: NSC Novus Electronics NS100A, 1 Memory, Credit card size

Dismantling the featured NSC Novus Electronics NS103A Data Checker manufactured in February 1982 in Taiwan reveals a clean design centered around a NEC uPD1833G single-chip calculator circuit soldered on a single-sided printed circuit board (PCB) and powered by two small LR44 batteries.

Please notice the changes of the Brand Identity of the Data Checker product line over time.

Inspecting the PCB of this LC 224CK manufactured in September 1983 brought our attention to a small mark reading NS_103B 1, most likely a reference to Type 103, and Revision B 1 of the design (schematics and layout).

Please find an overview of the PCB-Marks we discovered so far on Account Manager calculators.

Learn more about single-chip calculator circuits used in Account Manager Calculators.

Don't miss the Corvus CheckMaster introduced by Mostek already in 1975. This rare product retains the balance of your memory even when shut off but uses power-hungry electronics.



If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.

© Joerg Woerner, March 2, 2020. No reprints without written permission.