NTC KB-6251

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NTC KB-6251
FCC ID FMA44HKB6251 (1988)
FMA44HKB6252EA
fma44hkb6451
Manufacturer NTC
Layouts 101/102-key Asian 101
Keyswitches Alps SKCM Blue
Alps SKCM White
Omron B3G-S series
Cherry MX Blue
Aristotle Cherry MX clone
Mitsumi miniature mechanical
alps.tw Type T5
alps.tw Type OA2
Xiang Min KSB-N
Keycaps Pad-printed, double-shot ABS
Interface XT/AT switchable
Precedes Unikey KWD-601

KB-6251 is a widely-sold family of slimline Alps keyboards from NTC (Nan Tan Computer Company). Current examples found use a bigass enter key and single-unit backspace key. The Alps switches are mounted onto a plastic or metal plate, giving this slimline model a very light weight. Variants with amber Omron B3G-S series switches or alps.tw Type T5 mounted into a metal plate were also made. Keycaps can be double-shot or pad-printed.

The XT/AT switch, located next to one of the flip-out feet, is unconventionally labelled as "80206/8088" instead of "A/X" (per the NTC KB-6151) or XT/AT. Newer models may also have "80206/8088" raised lettering on the bottom panel, but no switch.

The version with Windows keys is Unikey KWD-601.

June 6, 2020: Spotted a Zeos keyboard with Hi-Tek Series 725 black switches ("Space Invaders") on ebay. RT-101+ model number on bottom case label.

Variants[edit | edit source]

KB-6251[edit | edit source]

  • Branded as Champking Computer Co.<ref name="Champking-B3G-S" /> and Champion Computer Co.<ref name="S-6251-Om" />
  • Chinese layout, with double-shot English letters and pad-printed Chinese characters
  • Amber Omron B3G-S series switches including space bar, mounted into a metal plate
  • FCC ID FMA44HKB6251

KB-6251/2[edit | edit source]

  • Listed as "KB-6251/2" on rear label<ref name="gh-1391406" />
  • ANSI layout with doubleshot keycaps
  • Alps SKCM White
  • FCC ID FMA44HKB6251

KB-6251/2[edit | edit source]

  1. Cherry MX Blue<ref>https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=79814</ref>
  2. White four-tab clones<ref name="ovau1" />

KB-6251EA[edit | edit source]

Plastic plate example[edit | edit source]

  • Pine Alps SKCM White
  • Found in UK 102-key layout, with no exterior markings of any kind except QC and serial number
  • PCB model NTC 71-6071A-505
  • The official designation is not known, as the rear label is missing; KB-6251EA is the model written on the PCB, which is often incorrect due to different models sharing a single PCB

KB-6251EN[edit | edit source]

  • Alps.tw Type OA2
  • Ultratech Branded
  • Plastic Plate
  • ANSI layout
  • Doubleshot keycaps
  • Found on eBay Australia
  • Top
    Top
  • Side
    Side
  • Bottom
    Bottom
  • Rear
    Rear
  • Identification on PCB
    Identification on PCB
  • Pad-printed legends
    Pad-printed legends
  • White complicated Alps switches
    White complicated Alps switches
  • Dismantled switch
    Dismantled switch
  • Switch mount
    Switch mount
  • Plastic mounting plate
    Plastic mounting plate
  • Mounting plate and circuitry
    Mounting plate and circuitry
  • XT/AT selector switch
    XT/AT selector switch
  • XT/AT selector switch on the PCB
    XT/AT selector switch on the PCB
  • The cable is secured to the case with adhesive
    The cable is secured to the case with adhesive

Metal plate examples[edit | edit source]

There are versions with a black-painted steel plate or an unpainted steel plate. Some of these examples have Zeos branding.<ref name="sandy2" />

  • Disassembled keyswitch + keycaps
    Disassembled keyswitch + keycaps
  • Main board + model name
    Main board + model name
  • Back label
    Back label
  • 8088/80286 "missing switch"
    8088/80286 "missing switch"
  • Metal mounting plate + grey switches
    Metal mounting plate + grey switches

KB-6251EM[edit | edit source]

It is possible that the "M" in "EM" stands for "Mitsumi", giving "A" for "Alps" in "EA". Unlike the KB-6151, where "EN" has been seen on an Alps clone version, Alps clone KB-6251 keyboards also use "EA".

KB-6251LN[edit | edit source]

  • Top
    Top
  • Bottom
    Bottom
  • Bottom label
    Bottom label
  • Top no caps
    Top no caps
  • Top removed no caps
    Top removed no caps
  • Switches and LN sticker
    Switches and LN sticker
  • Back of the PCB
    Back of the PCB
  • Identification on PCB
    Identification on PCB

Unspecified suspected KB-6251 variant ("Super Kingsun")[edit | edit source]

This variant in the AT-style US "Big Ass Enter" layout is branded for "Super™ Kingsun", evidently in reference to Super Kingsun Ltd<ref name="Digital in China Agreement" />, bearing their logo on a fairly low-quality silver-on-black sticker on the upper left of the top case. It makes no mention of the manufacturer or any model or part number anywhere on the case, and although there is a spot for an FCC ID on the foil sticker, it was either never printed on mine or rubbed off before I got it. There is a separate sticker on the back indicating that it was made in Hong Kong. Based on what little info I can find, it seems likely that this was sold in China, despite the US layout.

  • Alps SKCM White switches, which appear to be unlubricated
  • FCC ID missing from sticker on my board
  • "Big Ass Enter" AT-style US layout
  • Printed keycaps (not doubleshot)
  • Has the Intel 8088/80286 labelled XT/AT protocol switch labels moulded into the plastic on the bottom of the case, with a nearby protocol switch to toggle between them
  • top view
    top view
  • logo sticker
    logo sticker
  • label
    label
  • protocol switch and "Made in Hong Kong" sticker
    protocol switch and "Made in Hong Kong" sticker

Unspecified UK KB-6251 variant ("dan")[edit | edit source]

This variant is branded for "dan Personal Computers", bearing their blue "dan" logo on the upper right of the top case, and makes no mention of NTC other than indirectly via the FCC ID. According to the sticker, it was "made in Thailand for dan Technology plc (UK)".

  • Alps SKCM White switches, which appear to be unlubricated
  • FCC ID FMA44HKB6251 on the sticker
  • PCB labelled "71-E103A-103", mounted on an unpainted metal plate
  • UK 102-key ISO layout
  • Printed keycaps (not doubleshot)
  • ISO-style, textless icon modifier key legends except for the Return/Enter key, which has both the "Return" arrow and the text "Enter" above it, approximately centred on the keycap
  • Has the Intel 8088/80286 labelled XT/AT protocol switch labels moulded into the plastic on the bottom of the case, despite not actually having a protocol switch (it seems this is likely a slightly later model which exclusively speaks "AT" with scancode set 2)

KB-6252[edit | edit source]

KB-6252CH[edit | edit source]

KB-6252EA[edit | edit source]

  • 102-key layout
  • FCC ID FMA44HKB6252EA (not in the FCC's records)
  • Alps SKCM Blue<ref name="schlimmfeld" /> and white Alps switches of unknown variety.<ref name="lovestory" />

Blue Alps version[edit | edit source]

  • Top, with aftermarket label
    Top, with aftermarket label
  • Interface selector switch
    Interface selector switch
  • Rear label
    Rear label
  • Alps SKCM Blue switch
    Alps SKCM Blue switch

White Alps version[edit | edit source]

KB-6451EA[edit | edit source]

KB-6752EA[edit | edit source]

  • 102-key layout
  • FCC ID FMA44HKB6251
  • Hua-Jie AK series green switches.
  • Desoldered XT/AT switch
  • Top
    Top
  • Cap removed from a Hua-Jie AK series green switch
    Cap removed from a Hua-Jie AK series green switch
  • Back label
    Back label
  • Top removed
    Top removed
  • PCB and switches with keycaps removed
    PCB and switches with keycaps removed
  • Identification on PCB
    Identification on PCB

Unknown (SFON)[edit | edit source]

Unknown "KB-6251" with SFON Alps clone switches (no photos were posted as evidence)<ref name="unknown1" />

Unknown (Optimus KB-6251)[edit | edit source]

Unknown "KB-6251" sold in Poland under Optimus SA brand<ref name="Optimus6251" />

  • Aristotle Cherry MX clone switches<ref name="gh-Aristotle" />, plastic plate
  • Big-Ass Enter key and a 1 unit backspace
  • No XT-AT switch
  • FCC ID LIAKB-6251 — this example appears to have been made after this product range was transferred to Unikey (FCC grantee LIA), prior to the model transitioning to the 104/105-key Unikey KWD-601.

References[edit | edit source]

<references> <ref name="Champking-B3G-S">KBTalking — ⊕⊕Champking KB-6251美容換膚清毒素⊕⊕ (Japanese only)</ref> <ref name="6251em_mgur">Imgur — Keyboards (DEAD!)</ref> <ref name="schlimmfeld">schlimmfeld — NTC KB6252EA </ref> <ref name="lovestory">Deskthority — Keyboard Love story VIII - USPS, Dell, NTC KB-6252EA</ref> <ref name="gh-1391406">Geekhack — My $15 Acquisition</ref> <ref name="ovau1">Overclockers Australia Forums — Cleaning/Restoring my IBM Model M - Page 3 (page 3)</ref> <ref name="gh-Aristotle">Geekhack — UNIKEY KB-6252</ref> <ref name="gh-6251EA-blue">Geekhack — Blue ALPS broke my heart (question about broken keyboard)</ref> <ref name="sandy2">Sandy — zeos_6251ea</ref> <ref name="S-6251-Om">Sandy — leo_6251ea</ref> <ref name="unknown1">外设天下 — 光头哥求科普：谁来解读APLS？？</ref> <ref name="Optimus6251">utensilia.tk Optimus KB-6251</ref> <ref name="6252CH_imgur">Imgur — BTC mecánico (casi ISO-ES winkeyless)</ref> <ref name="Digital in China Agreement">NY Times — [1]</ref> </references>

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