Daniele Verducci 🧉Dec 29, 2024
I'm going to build a #wifi #serial #modem for my #amstrad PPC640. Something like #theoldnet 's wifi modem, but I'll use #zimodem on an #esp8266 , because it worked ok with my #commodore64 and now I have some experience with it...
The idea is having the esp emulate an #hayes modem on the #UART pins and convert it to rs232 using a #max3232 module.
I also will need to solder a 9 to 25 pin #rs232 adapter, because I absolutely don't remember where mine is (used last time a couple of home moves ago... 😅)

#dos #bbs #internet
Show threadDaniele Verducci 🧉Dec 30, 2024
Every time I do some project "for fun" (= not for work) I try to learn something new, in that way i can say the time needed is not wasted.
So, this time I decided to try #wirewrapping . This is a very simple circuit, with no board, so it's a very very simple case, but I tried and I liked it!

Here a photo while connecting the #esp8266 (already flashed with #zimodem and configured to connect to my wifi) with the #UART to #RS232 adapter.
Show threadDaniele Verducci 🧉Dec 30, 2024
At the end, all will fit in this enclosure (there was an adsl filter inside). I made some holes for the usb and the reset button. The front hole contained two rj11 sockets, I cut the central divisor and obtained a hole the perfect size for the #uart to #rs232 #db9 connector.
Most of my #retrocomputing gear has the old #db25 connector, so I'll need an adapter anyway...

#zimodem #wifi #modem #hayes
Show threadDaniele Verducci 🧉Dec 30, 2024
I found the connection I made was not working. I connected the #esp8266 tx pin to the #uart to #rs232 converter's rx pin and vice versa.
So tried inverting it (rx to rx and tx to tx) and now it works perfectly... Not sure why the pins are labeled reverse on the uart to rs232 converter... 🤷‍♂️
Show threadDaniele Verducci 🧉Dec 31, 2024
My #Amstrad #ppc640 has an old-style 25 pin #rs232 port. Unfortunately yesterday I couldn't source a #db9 to #db25 #serial adapter, so I had to...ehm...improvise 😅
It seems that only Rx, Tx and ground are needed for it to work!

#retrocomputing #wifimodem #zimodem
Show threadDaniele Verducci 🧉
...and it works!


#retrocomputing #wifimodem #zimodem
Dec 31, 2024 at 10:38amWeb
Show threadDaniele Verducci 🧉Dec 31, 2024
#BBS 'ing right now :)