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Original thread:

Hi all,

I've been quiet for a while, working on a new project - a Wi-Fi Cartridge for the Commodore 64!

Before you get too excited, let me tell you a bit about it...

1. This is the first non-trivial circuit board that I've ever designed, and I'm self-taught, so "real" electrical engineers might have designed parts of it differently. I'm happy to share the schematics with experts to get some feedback though, and open to suggestions.

2. That said, it does work. I have to tweak a few things, and I found two design mistakes so far, but it works!

3. I made it for my own use and learning, but I'm definitely planning on making a few to sell if there is interest. Note that it's going to be the Cadillac of cards, around $200. There are cheaper approaches, but they wouldn't be as cool.

4. It only supports 2400 baud. I'm aware of the UP9600 baud hack, but I wanted to focus on finishing this and get it working without the extra complexity. Maybe - emphasis on *maybe* - for a future version. I have tested the UP9600 hack and it works, but it's not incorporated into the board design yet.

5. It passes through all the RS-232 signals in case you want to do something fancy, like run a BBS.

6. The software has only barely been started, to prove out the functionality. It's Arduino-based so you can customize/expand it all you like.

7. I'm strongly leaning towards deviating from the Hayes AT-based approach and building in a menu-driven system instead (see screenshot in the album). You have your choice of Hayes or Menu-driven.

8. You interface with it through a standard Terminal program. Not compatible with the RR-Net, 64NIC+, etc.

9. There are a few different ways you can configure it. You could skip the Wi-Fi portion entirely and use it as an interface to the outside world, all the Arduino pins (including Analog In/PWM Out, etc) are broken out on a header at the top of the card. You can also run it standalone and power it from a separate 3.3-16V power supply.

10. Woohoo!

I WILL buy this when it comes available. So, please count me in as one if you do decide to sell. Nice job! I love how it actually uses the user port instead of the cartridge slot. I got to try me some Modem Wars (one of my favorite two play games).

Hmm... I would like the hayes AT command set, however. Just for compatibility with older software.

Also, this is how I always thought of using internet on the C64. I know the cartridge slot is way faster but for BBSing, etc... You can't beat the user port.
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Very cool Schema, put me down for one once available.
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Lookin' good! I look forward to your future posts about it.

Heather

Put me down for one too, great idea!
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Wow!

Unreasonably nice .. hope to see this in action soon at the ECCC.

Brilliant work ..
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Schema, this is awesome man!!
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my wife is going to kill me!


BUT I DON'T CARE!
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Wow!!! Awesome project! I'm definitely down for one if/when you decide to do a production run.

Great job, Schema!

Have you ever tested the CommodoreServer programs (such as V-1541) with your card? They should all work perfectly at 2400 baud and if you have CTS/RTS hooked up on your board, the 38K baud driver should work, too.

If you want, I can set up a screencast with my C64 so you can see if that works.

Fun stuff!
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I like it!
More ways to have fun with C64 are always welcome
-Timo

Put me down for one please.

+1 You bet I'm interested
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