Tempest Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 I'm sure this question has been answered before, but I can't find the right info on this so bear with me. What's the best way to connect to a BBS using an Atari 800 without a phone line? Do I need a modem still or can I use a cable to connect to my PC have it act as the 'modem'? I imagine the solution involves Telnet, but I'm not sure exactly what I all need to give this a try. What software/hardware do I need? I currently have an Atari 850 interface, an SIO2USB and SIO2PC (serial) devices. I also have a PC with serial ports and an internet connection (Windows 10 and Linux). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 You can use a device by Lantronix to connect your 850 to your internet connection. Then use your favorite terminal program to 'dial' a telnet BBS. https://www.lantronix.com/products/uds-10/ There is some additional info on the Antic Podcast: http://ataripodcast.libsyn.com/antic-episode-40-bbsing Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bf2k+ Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 If you have a PC running APE connected to your Atari, you can use the internet modem built into APE to connect. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 You can use a device by Lantronix to connect your 850 to your internet connection. Then use your favorite terminal program to 'dial' a telnet BBS. https://www.lantronix.com/products/uds-10/ There is some additional info on the Antic Podcast: http://ataripodcast.libsyn.com/antic-episode-40-bbsing Bill Hmm... I do still have an 850 (thought I traded it away but just found it a few weeks ago), but I'd have to get a UDS-10. If my computer already has a serial port, do I even need the UDS-10 or can I connect the 850 to it directly? If you have a PC running APE connected to your Atari, you can use the internet modem built into APE to connect. I've heard of APE a few times now. Is it better than going other routes or just easier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bf2k+ Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 I don't have any experience with the LANtronics devices. I think APE is pretty easy to setup and use. Run any term program on the Atari 8. I like ExpressTerm or Bobterm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 The Lantronix device has a jack on one side that looks like a Hayes Modem (serial) jack. The other side has an Ethernet (10BaseT) jack to plug in a CAT5 cable from your router. The Lantronix device then lets you use 'modem commands' to 'dial' sites on the internet. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LANTRONIX-UDS-10-UDS-10-02-with-AC-Adapter-/292035061798?hash=item43fea56826:g:h5IAAOSwa~BYXFjs I just looked for mine, but couldn't find it. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 The Atari connects to the 850, the 850 connects to the UDS-10, the UDS-10 connects to your internet router. The UDS-10 behaves like a Hayes modem, but instead of dialing a number, you dial an IP address. For example ATD 12.34.56.78/90 (the /90 is the port number). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 I don't have any experience with the LANtronics devices. I think APE is pretty easy to setup and use. Run any term program on the Atari 8. I like ExpressTerm or Bobterm. There is some information on the UDS-10 << HERE >> 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 The Atari connects to the 850, the 850 connects to the UDS-10, the UDS-10 connects to your internet router. The UDS-10 behaves like a Hayes modem, but instead of dialing a number, you dial an IP address. For example ATD 12.34.56.78/90 (the /90 is the port number). Oh that's neat. What's the Baud rate on it? 300? 1200? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 If you have a dial-up BBS you want to connect to this way my BBS has dial out capabilities. You could telnet there and then dial out to a modem only BBS. If you have done in mind Lmk the details and I'll add it to the list. Greg thekeep.net Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Oh that's neat. What's the Baud rate on it? 300? 1200? 19,200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 There is some information on the UDS-10 HERE >> Hey I can use it with my TI99! Even better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 19,200 And the Atari can handle that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 If you want to setup and test a dial up BBS on one computer and test it from another computer without having two phone lines ... or any phone lines for that matter, I have another gadget called a Viking DLE-200B with simulates the telephone system with dial tone an everything. Its a fun little gadget for testing or exhibiting. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Viking-DLE-200B-2-Way-Line-Simulator-Emulator-DLE200B-NEW-/271125729675?hash=item3f205a518b:g:ccMAAOSwa81XRh8T Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 And the Atari can handle that? In theory, I believe the 850 can. In practice, I'd start at 1200 or 2400 to get it working and then work your way up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 The 850's limit is 9600. The Atari can do much faster with other interfaces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 The 850's limit is 9600. The Atari can do much faster with other interfaces. 9600 should be fast enough for some good old fashioned BBSing. Now I need to find a spare power supply and SIO cable for my 850. I guess I'll also need a Lantronix to 850 cable since the 850 has a weird pinout. Anyone sell those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gemintronic Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Does anyone know how well things like the Ooma and Magic Jack fare for this purpose? I remember fax machines having problems with voip. Hopefully there's some baud rate that's useable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Anyone sell those? http://www.ebay.com/itm/CX-87-Atari-850-to-Modem-Cable-New-800-XL-XE-/140954304557?hash=item20d188002d:m:mBBiXBslIcM1BVj65dsrj7w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 http://www.ebay.com/itm/CX-87-Atari-850-to-Modem-Cable-New-800-XL-XE-/140954304557?hash=item20d188002d:m:mBBiXBslIcM1BVj65dsrj7w That will connect the 850 to the Lantronix device? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 That will connect the 850 to the Lantronix device? That's the exact one I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 That's the exact one I use. I'm glad you chimed in. I was about to go set it up to confirm that the Atari Modem cable is the right cable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Does anyone know how well things like the Ooma and Magic Jack fare for this purpose? I remember fax machines having problems with voip. Hopefully there's some baud rate that's useable.These suck for anything modem in my experience it was poor performance at 1200 baud anything faster won't connect. 300 was slow and laggy. Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share Posted March 16, 2017 Anyone know where I can get a cheap SIO cable? I refuse to pay $20 on ebay for one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fujidude Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 What's a phone line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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