Windows · Serial · TCP/Telnet · Hayes commands
RetroModem Bridge (RMB) connects a serial-equipped vintage computer to modern Telnet BBSes through a Windows PC. It accepts Hayes-style modem commands such as ATDT, opens the TCP/Telnet connection on Windows, and passes data between the retro terminal and the remote system.
How it works
RMB runs on the Windows side. The retro machine communicates through its serial interface just as it would with a modem, while RMB handles the network connection, saved BBS information, local services, and logging.
A normal Telnet session follows these four parts.
RMB can also serve its own local ANSI interface over the same serial connection.
ATDT MENUOpen RMB's local menu from the vintage terminal.Current feature set
RMB started as a serial-to-Telnet bridge and now also includes BBS management, local ANSI services, Session Mirror, diagnostics, and experimental Door Game Mode.
Select a COM port and baud rate, start the bridge, and use Hayes-style commands from the vintage terminal. RMB handles the TCP/Telnet connection and transfers data in both directions.
ATDT MENU opens RMB's local BBS-style menu over the serial connection. From there you can browse BBS listings, Favorites, dial history, local services, and Door Games.
Store BBS names, aliases, hosts, ports, categories, notes, ANSI capability, test results, and other connection information.
Import guide entries, browse listings from the retro side, search, inspect, add, or make a one-time connection.
Monitor the active retro session on Windows and optionally type into the connection from the PC side.
Use machine-specific profiles, live serial/command logs, connection results, setup checks, and support-bundle export.
Configure compatible Windows door games and launch them from the vintage terminal using aliases such as ATDT USURPER.
RMB creates the drop-file information used by compatible door software and can pass the door's console I/O over the serial connection.
Door entries can use single-key input assistance and optional More paging for long text screens.
Command reference
ATDT MENU provides menu access to most local functions. Direct commands are available when you want to jump to a specific function immediately.
ATBasic modem-style attention/test command.ATIDisplay RMB identification information.AT&VShow the active modem-style configuration.ATDT HOST:PORTDial a Telnet destination directly.ATDT <ALIAS>Dial a saved BBS or Door Game alias.ATHHang up or disconnect the current session.ATDT MENUOpen RMB's local ANSI menu.ATDT BBSLISTOpen the saved BBS directory.ATDT FAVORITESShow saved Favorite BBS entries.ATDT DOORSOpen the Local Door Games list.ATDT TIMEOpen RMB's local time service.ATDT HELPShow local command and help information.ATDT NEWSOpen the local News service.ATDT FEATUREDShow featured BBS listings.ATDT RANDOMChoose a random BBS or Favorite workflow.ATDT ONLINEShow listings that passed RMB connection tests.ATDT GUIDEBrowse Telnet BBS Guide entries not already saved.ATDT IMPORTAlias for the guide/import browser.ATDT UPDATEGUIDERun the Telnet BBS Guide updater.ATDT UPDATEShort alias for the guide updater.N next page
P previous page
S search
C clear search
M main menu
Q disconnect
01–15 dial an entry
Screenshots
Select a tab to view the Windows bridge, an active connection, Session Mirror, Door Game configuration, or real hardware.
The main Windows interface contains the COM-port, baud-rate, modem, bridge, directory, and connection controls.
Experimental Door Game Mode
v3.4 adds a separate Door Games list. Compatible Windows door programs can be assigned aliases, launched by RMB, and connected to the vintage terminal over the same serial link.
Example
RMB can generate DOOR32.SYS, launch a configured door process on Windows, and pass its text input and output through the serial connection. From the retro computer, the door can be launched with an alias such as ATDT USURPER.
Compatibility
RMB is not limited to the CoCo 3. The same basic setup can work with other vintage computers that have usable serial hardware and terminal software.
Setup
The vintage computer remains the terminal. Windows handles the bridge and Internet connection.
Connect the vintage computer's serial interface to the Windows PC.
Select the correct Windows COM port and choose the same baud rate used by the vintage terminal.
Start RMB's bridge and open the terminal program on the vintage computer.
Dial a hostname, a saved alias, or use ATDT MENU to open RMB's local menu.
Current public release
v3.4 adds experimental Local Door Game Mode, a separate Door Games list, ATDT DOORS, configurable door aliases, DOOR32.SYS generation, single-key input assistance, and optional output paging.
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Windows serial-to-TCP/Telnet modem bridge for vintage computers.