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Documentation about the Vampire hardware

WiModem 232

Vojin Vidanovic

Posts 770
13 Oct 2017 03:28


Some strange WiModem 232 is comming to CBM and Amigas, next month supposedly by Jim Drew
Amiga Love forum post
EXTERNAL LINK 
Might be a cheap Wi Fi net solution towards all Classics.
And CBMs too!

------------------ Makers Words --------------------
The WiModem232 is like the WiModem that I already sell for the C64/128, except that it will work with any computer that has a standard DB25 male connector (or DB25 female with adapter, or DB9 with adapter).

Baud rates up to 115.2Kbps are supported using baudbandit.device (or other serial.device replacements). All of the standard RS-232 lines (Rx/Tx/RTS/CTS/DSR/DTR/DCD/RI) are supported, so you can use this device to run a BBS. Proper buffering hardware insures that the WiModem232 won't harm your computer.

The WiModem232 has 3MB of on board storage that can be used for holding files. I will be making a device driver that lets you mount the WiModem232's storage as a mini-hard drive.

The WiModem232 uses a USB Mini-B interface port for it's power. You can power it from USB port of some kind, a cell phone charger, etc. I am using a 90 degree USB to 2.1mm barrel adapter and a standard 5v wall wart.

I expect these to be available next month. The WiModem232 is FCC/CE approved and has a lifetime warranty.

I am also working on a new product that uses the same case and display as the WiModem232, and that is a SD card hard drive. This device plugs into the parallel port and lets you mount a SD card as an Amiga hard drive, complete with support for HDToolBox. I needed a way to move large files (like large hard files for my Mac emulation, FUSION) between real Amiga computers without the hassle of cables. Just plug this in to your Amiga, mount the drive, copy the files and then unplug and move it to another Amiga and access the files. Simple and fast.

Pic in CBM Amiga FB group EXTERNAL LINK 
FB post EXTERNAL LINK


Sean Sk

Posts 488
13 Oct 2017 05:35


This is very interesting. This would be useful for playing modem games like Super Skidmarks over the internet, as well as all the usual BBS stuff that Amiga fans are into.

I was reading a thread at EAB, where Jim was first mentioning about this, and a question was asked whether it could also be used as a null modem over wi-fi both locally and over internet so multiplayer games like Lotus II could be played. I couldn't see a definitive answer to this, but have posed the question again in that thread and see what he says.


Steve Ferrell

Posts 424
13 Oct 2017 06:09


You can buy a serial modem here EXTERNAL LINK  but it's currently sold out or you can build your own using an ESP8266 and less than $10 in parts:  EXTERNAL LINK 
With the right TCP/IP stack and settings you can use it for more than just BBS access too.


Samuel Devulder

Posts 248
13 Oct 2017 10:30


It's a kind of plipbox, but on serial-port. A slip-box... EXTERNAL LINK 


Vojin Vidanovic

Posts 770
14 Oct 2017 17:39


Update from Jim:”I have been testing the pre-production WiModem232 boards today. On a whim I decided to connect the WiModem232 plugged into my A1200 to the WiModem plugged into my C64. I was able connect the two together, chat with myself, and even transfer files via X-Modem. 🙂 Looks like NULL modem games should work just fine, you just need to connect systems prior to running the game.”


Mallagan Bellator

Posts 393
15 Oct 2017 16:25


The SD card adaptor seems interesting too. Would be useful for file transfers betweet Amiga and PC


Sebastian Blanco

Posts 148
17 Oct 2017 18:17


The parallel port solutions are to slow, for a stock or even 30 amigas they may be ok. But for something like the vampire its too slow.


Vojin Vidanovic

Posts 770
17 Oct 2017 18:23


Sebastian Blanco wrote:

The parallel port solutions are to slow, for a stock or even 30 amigas they may be ok. But for something like the vampire its too slow.

True, but A500,A2000 and especially A1000 owmers with v2 Vamp have very few options, and to them this is like angel song :-)


Sean Sk

Posts 488
17 Oct 2017 22:32


The other benefit is being able to play modem games like Super Skidmarks over the internet. Even though my A600 and A1200 are connected to the internet via PCMCIA network cards I don't believe there is a way to allow modem games to "dial-up" over TCP/IP. I could be wrong but I haven't seen any tutorials covering this.

Plus it would be a great way to null modem both machines together wirelessly since they're too far apart to use my cable. It also opens up the opportunity to try null modem games like Lotus II over the internet with a like-minded friend who may also have one of these.


Mallagan Bellator

Posts 393
17 Oct 2017 23:03


I was thinking of setting up my A500 and null modem it to my A1200 and play Lotus II with my wife ^^ would be cool.

And yes, SD card reader on parallel port might be slow, but it works. I have an ethernet card in my A1200 mediator, so I can easily network it with my pcs, for file transfers, but no such solution for the A500. That adapter would be quite useful for that

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