Paul Jones - 2021-02-27

USB_to_RS232 Connector (usbModem)

### Connect to any BBS or SSH host from any 8, 16 or 32 bit - Atari, Commodore or TI-99 computer using a USB to RS232 PL2303 cable

### Debian - Raspberry Pi Usage

  • Best run on a Raspberry Pi. When you order the USB/RS232 cable - buy a Pi as well!

  • Purchase a USB to RS232 Adapter with PL2303 Chipset (on Amazon)

  • If using an Atari 850 interface see 850 Null Modem cable wiring: Atari NullModem

  • If using the Commodore User Port see GGLabs - User Port RS232 for Commodore 8-bit Computers: User Port RS232

  • Install java 1.8 JVM

    • Windows and other OS's - see documentation
    • On Raspberry Pi or other Linux
$ sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-jdk
  • Install librxtx-java API
    • Windows and other OS's - see documentation
    • On Raspberry Pi or other Linux
$ sudo apt install librxtx-java
  • Install JSch API
    • Windows and other OS's - see documentation
    • On Raspberry Pi or other Linux
$ sudo apt install libjsch-java
  • Start the connector:
$ ./usbModem.jar -s=/dev/ttyUSB0 -b=19200

-s = serial port of the adapter
-b = serial port baud rate

  • Connect up the cable run some terminal
    program - like TAZ, Bobterm, ICET, NovaTerm, StrikeTerm, etc...

  • Set the baud rate is as above and bits/stop bit is 8/1

Command Line Options and Usage

    *  -b,--baud <baud>           Serial Baud Rate
    *  -H,--remotehost <remhost>  TCP remote server mode host
    *  -i,--inboundfolder <in>    Inbound transfer folder path
    *  -l,--localport <localport> TCP server local mode port 
    *  -m,--menufile <menu>       Menu banner file path
    *  -o,--outboundfolder <out>  Outbound transfer folder path
    *  -P,--remoteport <remport>  TCP remote server mode port
    *  -s,--serialport <serial>   Serial Port Name
    *  -x,--xmlfile <xml>         XML BBS directory file path

## Configurtaion Files

  • dialdirectory.xml - BBS directory

  • banner.asc - Header and help file

    • used with -m option

## Examples

  • Start with serial usb device ttyUSB0 at 19200
$ usbModem.jar -s=/dev/ttyUSB0 -b=19200
  • Start with remote tcp (Altirra modem emulation)
$ usbModem.jar -H=192.168.0.100 -P=8080
  • Start local tcp server
$ usbModem.jar -l=9090

## usbModem Commands

  • help --> Display help

  • nn [bbs_#] --> Connect BBS by listing number

  • src [pattern*] --> Search for BBS listing number
  • save [bbs_#] user password --> Save BBS user/password

  • list [bbs_#] --> Display BBS by listing number

  • atz --> Clear reset screen

  • atd hostname/IP port --> TCP connect to host
  • bbs hostname/IP port --> TCP connect to host
  • ssh user@hostname:port --> ssh to host
  • cls --> Clear screen
  • prompt value --> Set command prompt
  • ysend --> YMODEM Batch download
  • yrecv --> YMODEM Batch upload
  • xsend filename --> XMODEM Download
  • xrecv filename --> XMODEM Upload
  • lsi --> List inbound folder
  • lso --> List outbound folder
  • [esc] - --> Exit to prompt
  • [esc] u --> User macro
  • [esc] p --> Password marco

## Esc Key Macro Shortcuts

  • [esc] - - Exit to prompt
  • [esc] u - User macro
  • [esc] p - Password Marco
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
(at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
GNU Affero General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/
 

Last edit: Paul Jones 2021-02-27