annomatik Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Hi! I have an (unmodified) Atari 800XL, a SIO2USB and a Side2 Cartridge. During my Internet-Browsing, I have discovered a "Wifi Modem" called Retro Wifi SI which seems pretty cool. My questions: 1) Does anyone have experience with connecting an Atari 800XL to Internet-Based BBSs? 2) Connecting via WIFI looks very tempting -- is the "Retro Wifi SI" any good, what else do I need / is recommended (a 850? a BlackBox?) 3) Is there some sort of SIO device with a built-in "Wifi Modem", which maybe even has a similar look like the Atari 800XL? Maybe some sort of 1030 hack/mod with a higher baud-rate, ready to buy from someone? 4) Could I also use SIO2USB for that until I have a "proper" WIFI solution? What kind of software would I use with the SIO2USB on the PC-side to provide connectivity to Internet-Based BBSs? 5) Any caveats I should consider? Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 It looks like it will work with any type of R: interface. For the 850, you'd need the 9 to 25 adapter on their page along with a CX-87 Modem cable. I am using a Lantronix UDS-10 with my 850 for the BBS. This does the same thing basically, but it's wireless. Once you get it set up, type ATDT broadway1.lorexddns.net 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tillek Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Hi! I have an (unmodified) Atari 800XL, a SIO2USB and a Side2 Cartridge. During my Internet-Browsing, I have discovered a "Wifi Modem" called Retro Wifi SI which seems pretty cool. My questions: 1) Does anyone have experience with connecting an Atari 800XL to Internet-Based BBSs? 2) Connecting via WIFI looks very tempting -- is the "Retro Wifi SI" any good, what else do I need / is recommended (a 850? a BlackBox?) 3) Is there some sort of SIO device with a built-in "Wifi Modem", which maybe even has a similar look like the Atari 800XL? Maybe some sort of 1030 hack/mod with a higher baud-rate, ready to buy from someone? 4) Could I also use SIO2USB for that until I have a "proper" WIFI solution? What kind of software would I use with the SIO2USB on the PC-side to provide connectivity to Internet-Based BBSs? 5) Any caveats I should consider? Thanks! Most of this is covered by the BBS thread at the top of the forum. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annomatik Posted April 5, 2019 Author Share Posted April 5, 2019 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark loves Stella Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 Hi! I have an (unmodified) Atari 800XL, a SIO2USB and a Side2 Cartridge. During my Internet-Browsing, I have discovered a "Wifi Modem" called Retro Wifi SI which seems pretty cool. My questions: 1) Does anyone have experience with connecting an Atari 800XL to Internet-Based BBSs? 2) Connecting via WIFI looks very tempting -- is the "Retro Wifi SI" any good, what else do I need / is recommended (a 850? a BlackBox?) 3) Is there some sort of SIO device with a built-in "Wifi Modem", which maybe even has a similar look like the Atari 800XL? Maybe some sort of 1030 hack/mod with a higher baud-rate, ready to buy from someone? 4) Could I also use SIO2USB for that until I have a "proper" WIFI solution? What kind of software would I use with the SIO2USB on the PC-side to provide connectivity to Internet-Based BBSs? 5) Any caveats I should consider? Thanks! I use a Raspberry Pi Zero as a Hayes modem emulator over my Atari 850 or ICD P.R Connection. There is an app called Tcpser that will make the PI behave like a Hayes compatible modem. The Atari just sees it as a modem. Since the PI is wireless, you can be online anywhere. Pair it to your phone or hot spot. Here is an example of one working on an Apple II. Of course, for an Atari you will also need something like the 850 or PR Connection. https://www.insentricity.com/a.cl/215/putting-your-retro-computer-on-the-line I have my PI permanently soldered inside of my PR Connection box. I never remove it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tillek Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 I have my PI permanently soldered inside of my PR Connection box. I never remove it. It fits? (Or do you mean you just soldered the cable ends? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tillek Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 I will suggest this..... Before you go spending money, maybe you should just download SyncTerm for the PC and try calling a few BBSs first. SyncTerm does a great job with both ATASCII and ANSI (for the ST boards if you like them). Mainly I'm suggesting this because I get a lot of one time callers... people who call, check it out, get their nostalgia fix.... and then never call again. I don't know why. But instead of spending the money and going to all the trouble, you can at least "try before you buy". SyncTerm: http://syncterm.bbsdev.net/ The Atari BBS Listing http://www.sfhqbbs.org/ataribbslist.php 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manterola Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 SIO2IO is coming. Dropcheck is working on it. It includes a printer (parallel) interface, a serial interface and a connector to plug an Esp8266 wifi module or maybe the esp8266 will be included, not sure. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+xucaen Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 I get a lot of one time callers... people who call, check it out, get their nostalgia fix.... and then never call again. I don't know why. For me, it's time. I just don't have the time to do everything I like to do.I even had a BBS running in Windows 7 for about 2 years just a few years ago. I finally just shut it down because I don't have the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark loves Stella Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 (edited) It fits? (Or do you mean you just soldered the cable ends? It fits in the PR Connection box. I am using a PI Zero. Very small. Only about a 3rd the size of a credit card.The GPIO is permanently soldered to the rs232 port. Edited April 6, 2019 by Mark loves Stella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annomatik Posted April 10, 2019 Author Share Posted April 10, 2019 Yeah, well, too late, I already ordered everything :-) And the 850 arrived today, Wifi Modem is still on its way. 850 came with a lot of cables, a copy of the manual and a disk. And a power supply that does not fit, the "hole" of the connector is too small. Can anyone tell me please the Volt needed for the power-supply, and if the plus-pole goes to the outside or the inside? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 (edited) sync term HATES windows 7... I can't get it to run for &*&*@&^&^%()_@_!)*@ so It's fine on XP and Vista... unless someone has it figured out... Edited April 10, 2019 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark loves Stella Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Yeah, well, too late, I already ordered everything :-) And the 850 arrived today, Wifi Modem is still on its way. 850 came with a lot of cables, a copy of the manual and a disk. And a power supply that does not fit, the "hole" of the connector is too small. Can anyone tell me please the Volt needed for the power-supply, and if the plus-pole goes to the outside or the inside? Thanks! It takes a 9v power supply. I'm pretty sure it is the same power supply that the 1050 disk drive uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchorvat Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Hey Annomatik, check my video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1X9LkEKsIg i jumped on the BBS train just a few weeks ago. Still a lot to explore for me Fire me a PM if you need any help or have more questions about the setup. cheers, Marco Hi! I have an (unmodified) Atari 800XL, a SIO2USB and a Side2 Cartridge. During my Internet-Browsing, I have discovered a "Wifi Modem" called Retro Wifi SI which seems pretty cool. My questions: 1) Does anyone have experience with connecting an Atari 800XL to Internet-Based BBSs? 2) Connecting via WIFI looks very tempting -- is the "Retro Wifi SI" any good, what else do I need / is recommended (a 850? a BlackBox?) 3) Is there some sort of SIO device with a built-in "Wifi Modem", which maybe even has a similar look like the Atari 800XL? Maybe some sort of 1030 hack/mod with a higher baud-rate, ready to buy from someone? 4) Could I also use SIO2USB for that until I have a "proper" WIFI solution? What kind of software would I use with the SIO2USB on the PC-side to provide connectivity to Internet-Based BBSs? 5) Any caveats I should consider? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfollowell Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 I haven't tried it myself yet, but if your SIO2PC-USB is an AtariMax version, and you have the APE/ProSystem software, it has printer and modem emulation built into the software. I've been meaning to try to connect to some of the Atari BBSes online and see if/how it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manterola Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 The retro wifi si uses Zimodem firmware. You can run zimodem and very cheap esp8266. Several people (including me) are connected to internet (wifi) using this. It works with platoterm and other terminals programs. You can get some ideas and pictures in the flowing (very long) thread: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/262518-sio-wifi-modem-with-esp8266/ As mentioned before, Dropcheck is working on a sio2io card which will feature (among other gadgets) a esp8266 emulating a modem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 (edited) I haven't tried it myself yet, but if your SIO2PC-USB is an AtariMax version, and you have the APE/ProSystem software, it has printer and modem emulation built into the software. I've been meaning to try to connect to some of the Atari BBSes online and see if/how it works. true, it has pro system to image to real drive, imagic, R: internet modem, P: emulation, xf, percom, pro/atx/vapii for copy protected disk, and a handful of other goodies, the latest version meters the serial port data as well... it's pretty slick. I ponied up for this one, I haven't been dis-appointed. I have high hope for respeqt and it is getting there, I wish it supported steves (AtariMax) SIO products. APE will support third party sio2 products in virtual com port modes, but not at the full speed of it's native devices, his sio2pc products are intelligent devices and are able to support the speed modes of more drives etc.. When you think about what is charged to get other less capable solutions plus the shipping, It's about the same price, I like the double headed AtariMac SIO2PC's. What seems to tick some folks off is needing to register APE to use it to it's fullest extent... APE comes with all the trimmings...I use it for everything.... except the one spot and one single spot alone.. pclink... the spartados X pclink driver and respeqt is very slick and allows backing up of mass storage devices attached to the Atari in a very hassle free way and it's handling of protected disks is coming along very well might I add Edited April 11, 2019 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 It takes a 9v power supply. I'm pretty sure it is the same power supply that the 1050 disk drive uses. 9V AC. The 810/1050 31VA supply will work fine, and smaller down to 15VA supplies sometimes supplied with the 400/800 and some peripherals are also safe to use. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annomatik Posted April 11, 2019 Author Share Posted April 11, 2019 Well, I don't have a Disk Drive for the 800... Will a generic power supply also work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 the power supplies are alternating current (AC), be absolutely certain the supply you choose is not direct current (DC) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 A simple transformer is all that is required. Two coils of copper around an Iron core. 9V AC output. Please use the official, proper supply with it. Check our Best & B&C. Order Atari Part# CA014748 from Atari Dealer Best Electonics. $12.00 + Shipping. http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/power%20guide.htm#PS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annomatik Posted April 12, 2019 Author Share Posted April 12, 2019 (edited) I should have two of these coils laying around somewhere here... Let's check... :-) Just kidding, will buy one of them official power supplies -- thanks! They also come in european versions, right? Edited April 12, 2019 by annomatik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 I'm not sure about the Euro one. If there is one, I would think it would be on the same page @ Best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annomatik Posted April 13, 2019 Author Share Posted April 13, 2019 I'll try mailing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tschak909 Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 You can also connect to IRATA.ONLINE, a PLATO service that has terminals for over a dozen different vintage systems. http://www.irata.online/ -Thom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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