• Please review our updated Terms and Rules here

PDP-8/E on WiFi

jackrubin

jackrubin

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2004
Messages
879
Location
Chicago, IL and Buchanan, MI
Paul Rickards makes a tiny "wifi modem" that is little more than an ESP-01 wireless module soldered on the back of a DB-25 connector. His original goal was to create a way for people to use serial terminals to "dial out" to online BBS's but he's extended the ESP8266's built-in AT command set to allow the unit to act as a wifi access point. By setting up one unit to power up as an access point and another to power up as a client set to auto-connect to the AP and then initiate a telnet terminal session, I was able to connect wirelessly from a serial terminal to the console port on my 8/E.

Thanks to Paul for the AT extensions and scripting suggestions! You can find more info on his web page - http://biosrhythm.com/?page_id=1453 .

WifiAP.jpg
Wifi232 module connected to M8650 and configured as WiFi Access Point.


WifiClient.jpg
Wifi232 "client" on comm port of C. Itoh CIT-220+ terminal


Connecting.jpg
Client auto-dialing AP and establishing connection. In "production mode", the progress messages are suppressed.


Connected.jpg
Online. Sorry about the elegant glare shield.

Jack
 
jackrubin said:
Paul Rickards makes a tiny "wifi modem" that is little more than an ESP-01 wireless module soldered on the back of a DB-25 connector. His original goal was to create a way for people to use serial terminals to "dial out" to online BBS's but he's extended the ESP8266's built-in AT command set to allow the unit to act as a wifi access point. By setting up one unit to power up as an access point and another to power up as a client set to auto-connect to the AP and then initiate a telnet terminal session, I was able to connect wirelessly from a serial terminal to the console port on my 8/E.

Jack
Click to expand...

Jack,
Thanks for posting. I like this "wireless" RS232 concept a lot. I can think of a number of ways this could be helpful for projects I am trying to spin up.
Best,
Mark
 
Gents,

The ESP8266 is exactly why I have been a little quiet on the forums for a while. The ESP-01 and related modules are amazingly cheap/tiny and can provide not only wi-fi capability, but also microcontroller and flash memory space for any project. There is even a powerful basic-language programming environment (ESP Basic) available. My projects so far have been a wi-fi enabled antenna rotator (ham radio related) and a wi-fi enabled two line by 40 character general purpose message display (RS232 VFD connected to an ESP-01) for home automation use. The capability is astounding for how cheap they are.

Lou
 
Say, that is pretty neat! With a setup like that I could drag my Teletype 33ASR upstairs and still easily connect to the PDP8E in the basement, through the air. Mike
 
That is so cool, and gives me ideas for the "World's Fastest Real PDP" project!. I'll have a console and 1-3 more DL ports, so wireless connectivity built in would be ideal. Also gives me an idea to incorporate Bluetooth serial. There are bluetooth terminal emulators that run on a variety of cell phones, tablets and PC's. Great work, Paul. And, thanks for the exposure here on VCFED.org Jack.
-Ken
 
Hi Jack,

Ok slighty off topic, but why do you have that two tube GAP amp module ? I see it in one of your photos.

I though I was one of the rare few still buying and playing with those modules ?

regards
David
 
Hi David!

Sorry to say, the module is just a paperweight at this point, though it came from a neighbor who was a relative of GAP. He gave it to me when he learned of my interest in vintage electronics.

Best,
Jack
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top