Jul 26, 2025
Using ULIfAC and a TTL to RS232 converter together with EWEN Term on an Amstrad CPC 464 to connect to a SUN NETRA T1
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Using ULIfAC and a TTL to RS232 converter together with EWEN Term on an Amstrad CPC 464 to connect to a SUN NETRA T1
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Comparing various 3rd party RS232 adapters for Commodore computers. From left to right:
Commodore S232 Adapter by Jameco for VIC-20/C64/C128
Link232 v1.2 by Brain Innovations for C64/C128
Dual Serial Cart Mk I by me for VIC-20
SAPI-1 (1983)
On the left side, you can see SAPI-1 – a professional computer that was made in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and was used mainly for industrial applications. Its architecture was modular and not very far from S100-bus computers. One of the cards contained CPU (Zilog Z80 in this case) while other cards contained RAM, ROM and communication interfaces. It was able to run CP/M which was loaded from 8-inch floppy drives.
This photo is from the last Bytefest show a few weeks ago. We were copying files over a null-modem cable from Amstrad CPC6128. File transfers between different CP/M computers were not an easy task back in the 80s. Each computer had different floppy drives or at least a different logical format of the disks. This was very similar to terminal incompatibilities where every full-screen program had to support tens of terminals in order to be compatible with most CP/M computers. If your computer was not on the list, you ended up with incorrect layout of the text on the screen.
Because of these incompatibilities, serial and modem connections were the best ways to transfer files back then and they are even today. Don’t expect something “plug and play”. Although I could set the transfer speed in software on Amstrad CPC6128, the owner of the SAPI-1 had to remove the communication card and change the serial link configuration using a soldering gun. Another issue was to find programs with compatible transfer protocols but that’s a different story. Finally, after less than an hour, we were able to copy all our precious files.
Activity board: Bake me some Pi!
Now that most of the firmware is all set an done, it's time to start working on the final part of the Activity Board: the Raspberry Pi display interface.
@tumblokami ordered up some PCBs and gathered the parts to make a few of Geoff Graham’s ASCII Video Terminal board kits.
I enjoy small projects like this that serve a unique compact function, and I certainly can find a use for another serial terminal. It provides VGA or composite video output, PS/2 input, and TTL serial output (which I adapted to RS232 voltage levels).
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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Solderless Breadboard Compilation
A useful tool for all kinds of prototyping! Seen here are examples of (in no particular order):
Executing NOPs on an MOS6502, and building a data entry circuit
Crudely adjusting brightness/contrast of a composite video signal
Improving upon the data entry/modification circuit for my 6502 homebrew computer, and testing with an MCM6810
Approximating the function of a Dekatron tube in count-up mode
Dividing a 32 MHz oscillation down to 8MHz
Controlling a device over RS232 via rotary encoder
Reading the contents of an EPROM, one byte at a time
Combining sync and pixel signals to create a proper composite video source
Making phone calls with a rotary dial over the cellular network
Headless SGI workstation?
No problem, if you have a null-modem cable and terminal emulator software. SGI O2 (and other MIPS-based SGI workstations) uses the first serial port as the main output for all system messages and OS console if no keyboard is attached (or if firmware is set to prioritize the serial connection). You can access firmware settings, install IRIX to an empty hard drive or boot the system. This is a full replacement for keyboard and mouse unless you need graphics.
IRIX allows you to configure both serial ports to handle terminal connection (other options are MIDI and standard serial interface) so you can have three users working with one computer locally.
Two different approaches to giving RS232 serial ports to Commodore machines from two different eras.