HP reverse polish notation scientific calculator

me | today | me

[mamelukesabre]

Does anyone know if there is an easy fix to my old 48? Does anyone know any reason why I should not buy an HP-50 for sixty bucks? I never heard of an HP50 until today. I thought they quit making HP RPN programmable calculators after the HP48G. I didn't know there was still a market for them. Now I'm all exited about going back to the store tomorrow and getting one.

[nmh]

Can’t help you but I do remember reverse polish notation!
In college I used my HP allot for Statistics.

[fedupjohn]

My HP-25 got me through Calculus in 1976-1978.

[Maine Mariner]

I still have my HP 12C business calculator.

[HangnJudge]

My First Calculator
Circa 1973
HP-45
Worked great for about 9 years...

[Spktyr]

Consider buying an iPhone instead, which will not only do RPN in a calc app, it will link to your computer so you will never lose your information if the on-off switch dies.

As for the rest, my iPhone tells me that you can find HP48 repair information at http://www.hpcalc.org/hp48/docs/opening/

[GreyMountainReagan]

My 48GX is slowly dying.

You might resurrect yours for awhile by pressing below the screen in the middle of the row. I am not kidding.

Then the ON/OFF button will work.

There is a short in your calculator.

Soon the functions along the right side will start failing.

It is kind of like watching an old friend die of cancer.... Not really but it sure sucks to have your calculator die. RPN with multiple stacks is the only way to go.

[mylife]

As new $59 http://www.amazon.com/HP-48SX-48-SX-CALCULATOR/dp/B000ODPNV4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1244512984&sr=8-2

[prismsinc]

I still own my father’s 2 HP-45’s, both still functioning!!!!

I also own an HP-41CX, and I have 2 HP-48’s as well!

[Jet Jaguar]

Tear the button off of the offending switch.

The keypad is a bunch of switches.

Figure a way to conduct electricity through that switch.

It may take a simple press of the underlying bubble switch or a metal contact (jewelers screwdriver) to let the electrons flow from the pull to the throw of the switch.

[tpmintx]

HP still makes RPN calculators. I had one that carried me thru college all the way to a BSEE. I don’t recall the model #. I have an HP 12C that I bought in about 1985, and I believe it is still running on the original batteries. They still make the 12C, and it still costs $70.00.

[prismsinc]

If you buy an iPhone, there are many apps that effectively mimic the HP-48 almost perfectly. They range between $4-$14 I think

[Mr Rogers]

That was a premium calculator! I had one around then that did basic +/-/*// functions and reciprocals...it cost $90.

[HangnJudge]

That was a premium calculator!

Yup It cost ~ $450
enough, in 1973, to buy a used VW Beetle

[VAarea]

I suggest trying a shot of CRC2-26 contact enhancement spray (available in the Home Depot electrical department) into the switch. As it typically takes some time, leave it work overnight before coming to any conclusions as to its effectivity. If that doesn't work than you likely have more serious problems than tarnished contact surfaces.

[mamelukesabre]

I will try that. And yes, that is very sad. I’m almost thinking about waiting to resurrect my HP until later so I can have my old friend awhile longer.

[Vinnie]

True to its name an RPN calculator requires you to start with the answer and work backwards.

Think ‘Jeopardy’.

:)

Had one, hated it.

[Always Right]

Hp-11C was my weapon of choice in college. It was more like $120 back then.

[Professional Engineer]

I paid $289 (one month’s rent) for my 48SX in 1991. It doesn’t get used daily any more, just special occasions.

[SteamShovel]

My dad got an HP-45 in the mid 1970's. He still has it.

I used an HP-48C in College, early 1980's. I still have it, but it is kind of bulky to travel with.

Recently I bought the only RPN calculator allowed for the PE exam. It's cheaply made compared to the original HP calcs.

But I can't stand not doing RPN. Parentheses are the pits.