Editing Tai-Hao TH-5539

{{infobox dkeyboard
| image name   = fameGOG.JPG
| pn           = 
| fcc          = GOG3YLTH-5539
| branding     = 
| manufacturer = [[Tai-Hao]]
| switch       = [[Alps SKCM Blue]]<br>[[Tai-Hao Aruz]]<br>[[Tai-Hao APC series]]
| features     =
| layouts      = [[Focus layout]], [[ISO]], 101-key ISO-like
| interface    = [[XT/AT switchable]]
| weight       = 
| years        = 
| price        = 
}}

'''TH-5539''' refers to a variety of keyboards manufactured by [[Tai-Hao]], using a number of different cases and switches, and sharing a single model number and FCC ID. The specific variant designations given on this page were provided by Tai-Hao, and may not be completely accurate considering how much time has passed since the keyboards were manufactured. Many such examples carry the Fame badge, a name used by Tai-Hao before APC and Clicker.

All examples found so far use a DIN 5 connector and are [[XT/AT switchable]].

The Tai-Hao brochure below refers to the keyboards as "APC-''n''", e.g. "APC-8". Tai-Hao expanded "APC-8" as "APC switch, TH5539-8" and "APC-3" as "APC switch, TH5539-3".<ref>Correspondence with Tai-Hao, 2017-02-03</ref>

==Unknown variant==
The specific model number of this variant is not known. The case style is reminiscent of the [[Chicony KB-5161]] and both may have been inspired by the [[Alps Bigfoot]] series. It uses [[Alps SKCM Blue]] switches, suggesting that this was one of the older designs of TH-5539 keyboard, before Tai-Hao started using their own switches. The keycaps are pad printed. The PCB accepts both Alps and Cherry MX switches, similar to the [[NTC KB-6151#KB-6151N|NTC KB-6151N]]. Due to the "102" marking additional switch positions on the PCB, an ISO version may have existed.

<gallery widths="250" heights="187">
File:Fame_0.jpg    | Top
File:Fame_4.jpg    | Bottom
File:Fame5.jpg     | Alps SKCM Blue switches
File:IMG 1939.JPG  | Restored and showing blue Alps switches - plate repainted
File:IMG 1932.JPG  | Backside - metal bottom panel restored and repainted
File:TH-5539.JPG   | Early model PCB detail showing "102" designation and compatibility with Cherry MX and Alps SKCL/SKCM
File:IMG 1937.JPG  | Rear label
</gallery>

==TH-5539-1==
Confirmed only as "APC-1". This is a flat, minimalist design with no margin above the function keys for a legend strip. The shape is very similar to TH-5539-3, without any adornments, and with the status LED panel lined up with the function keys as there is no recess for a badge. This can be seen in the Tai-Hao brochure. In the 1992 example below, the switches are APC-branded, and the PCB is marked "APC-3A", indicating that APC-3 and APC-1 share the same PCB.

<gallery widths="250" heights="187">
File:Tai-Hao APC-1 -- top.jpg                              | Top
File:Tai-Hao APC-1 -- side.jpg                             | Side
File:Tai-Hao APC-1 -- bottom.jpg                           | Bottom
File:Tai-Hao APC-1 -- keycap detail.jpg                    | Keycap detail
File:Tai-Hao APC-1 -- keycaps, underside.jpg               | Keycaps, underside detail
File:Tai-Hao APC-1 -- enter keycap.jpg                     | Enter keycap
File:Tai-Hao APC-1 -- internals with some keycaps.jpg      | Internals with some keycaps fitted
File:Tai-Hao APC-1 -- internals.jpg                        | Internals
File:Tai-Hao APC-1 -- PCB, bottom.jpg                      | PCB, bottom
File:Tai-Hao APC-1 -- various details.jpg                  | Various details; the controller IC is dated 9240 (week 40, 1992)
File:Alps.tw Type OA3 -- APC branded, steel click leaf.jpg | Switch disassembly
</gallery>

==TH-5539-2==
TH-5539-2 features a gentle bowl profile, with the whole keyboard curving up gently towards the sides to complement the sculptured keycap profile. The keyboard has been found with Alps SKCM Blue switches and TH series doubleshot keycaps.

<gallery widths="250" heights="187">
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-2 -- top.jpg                  | Top
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-2 -- bottom.jpg               | Bottom
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-2 -- rear label.jpg           | Rear label
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-2 -- rear.jpg                 | Rear, showing the curve shape of the case and key plane
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-2 -- top showing switches.jpg | Top, showing switches
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-2 -- switches.jpg             | Blue Alps switches and keycap detail
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-2 -- XT-AT switch.jpg         | XT/AT switch
</gallery>

==TH-5539-3==
TH-5539-3 is one of the better-known models. The design is quite similar to the more common TH-5539-5; TH-5539-3 has a narrower border, and the keycap skirts have round corners instead of the square corners of those of TH-5539-5. There is also a thin groove around the edge, and it lacks the central dip of TH-5539-5.

The images below show APC switches and laser marked TI series keycaps. It was also sold with Alps SKCM White switches{{citation needed}} and with doubleshot TI series keycaps.<ref name="utensilia-5539-3" />

<gallery widths="250" heights="187">
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-3 -- top.jpg                           | Top
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-3 -- bottom.jpg                        | Bottom
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-3 -- LED cluster and patent number.jpg | LED cluster and patent number
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-3 -- rear label.jpg                    | Rear label
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-3 -- top showing switches.jpg          | Top, showing switches
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-3 -- switches.jpg                      | APC series switches
</gallery>

==TH-5539-5==
TH-5539-5 is the most common TH-5539 model, typically found with [[Tai-Hao Aruz]] switches and doubleshot keycaps. The enter key uses an [[Alps SKCM White]] switch;<ref name="DT-Himake" /> in one instance this has been found to be a circa 1989 or 1990 switch,<ref name="GH-5539-5" /> in a keyboard from 1989.<ref name="YT-5539-5" />

The case dips down in the middle of the alphanumeric cluster. Aruz examples have TH series keycaps, but a different version also exists with TI series keycaps and coloured modifier legends.<ref name="utensilia-5539-5" /> The switches in the referenced example are cited to be a 'white ALPS "complicated" clone'; the pictures show a switch with long side tabs, which may be the rare unbranded Alps SKCM White. The switches do not appear to be APC series.

===Tai-Hao's example===
This example uses doubleshot TH series keycaps; the Arabic legends are silkscreen printed.

<gallery widths="250" heights="187">
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-5 -- top.jpg                  | Top
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-5 -- bottom.jpg               | Bottom
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-5 -- rear label.jpg           | Rear label
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-5 -- top showing switches.jpg | Top, showing switches
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-5 -- switches.jpg             | Aruz switches
</gallery>

===Additional example===
This example uses doubleshot TH series keycaps.

<gallery widths="187" heights="250">
File:Newfame0.jpg | Product leaflet with model number; the dip in the upper case is clearly visible
File:Newfame2.jpg | Rear panel detail
File:Newfame1.jpg | Rear label
File:Newfame3.jpg | Aruz switch
</gallery>

==TH-5539-8==
TH-5539-8 relocates the status LEDs to the space above Insert/Home/Page Up. The status indicator space is instead used to hold a pad of sticky notes. A flip-up function key legend holder is placed above the function keys. The switches are APC series and the keycaps are double-shot and appear to be TI series.

<gallery widths="250" heights="187">
File:TH5539-8 APC type.jpg|Brochure image
File:TH-5539-8 Top View.jpg|Top View
File:TH-5539-8 F Key Labels 1.jpg|Front side of F key labels
File:TH-5539-8 F Key Labels 2.jpg|Back side of the F key labels
File:TH-5539-8 APC Switch and Keycap Underside.jpg|APC switch and underside of double-shot keycap
File:TH-5539-8 AT-XT Switch.jpg|AT/XT Switch
File:TH-5539-8 Switches-Plate.jpg|Switches mounted in plastic plate
File:TH-5539-8 PCB Underside.jpg|PCB Underside
</gallery>

==TH-5539-9==
TH-5539-9 has an [[IBM Enhanced Keyboard]]-style case, and has been found with blue Alps switches. The keycaps are a different series; they are ABS and are likely to be silk-screen printed. This may be the last keyboard model made with this keycap series.<ref name="co-TH-1" />

<gallery widths="250" heights="187">
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-9 -- top.jpg                  | Top
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-9 -- bottom.jpg               | Bottom
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-9 -- rear label.jpg           | Rear label
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-9 -- AT-XT switch.jpg         | XT/AT switch; the switch slider protrudes from the back of the keyboard
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-9 -- removable cable.jpg      | Modular jack connector for keyboard cable
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-9 -- top showing switches.jpg | Top, showing switches
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-9 -- keycap underside.jpg     | Top, showing undersides of the keycaps
File:Tai-Hao TH-5539-9 -- switches.jpg             | Blue Alps switches
</gallery>

==Literature==

*[[:File:Tai-Hao brochure (1990s).pdf|Tai-Hao brochure from the 1990s]]

==External links==

*KBtalKing — [http://kbtalking.cool3c.com/article/9234 ★★APC-3A回形簡易APC軸五色印字鍵盤★★] (APC-1 photos)

==References==
<references>
<ref name="utensilia-5539-3">utensilia.tk — [http://utensilia.tk/fame-cts_5539/ Fame / CTS 5539]</ref>
<ref name="utensilia-5539-5">utensilia.tk — [http://utensilia.tk/fame_5539/ Fame 5539]</ref>
<ref name="GH-5539-5">geekhack — [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=81552.0 Tai-Hao FAME TH-5539 (Aruz switches)]</ref>
<ref name="DT-Himake">Deskthority — [https://deskthority.net/photos-f62/let-s-have-a-look-at-the-t-a-i-h-a-o-aruz-switch-t13709.html Let's have a look at the T̶a̶i̶-̶H̶a̶o̶ Aruz switch!]</ref>
<ref name="YT-5539-5">YouTube — [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is3k5trSXAc Tai-Hao FAME TH-5539 review (Aruz switches)]</ref>
<ref name="co-TH-1">Correspondence from Tai-Hao, 2017-05-11</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Tai-Hao keyboards]]
[[Category:Keyboards with Aruz switches]]
[[Category:Keyboards with Alps SKCL/SKCM switches]]
[[Category:Keyboards with APC switches]]
[[Category:Protocol switchable keyboards]]
[[Category:Vintage keyboards]]
[[Category:List of all keyboards]]