Apple 2 connecting to the net with 1970's acoustic coupler modem and rotary phone

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
  • Finally got it working after making some adjustments on the internal pots. This is my Star Prentice vintage acoustic coupler modem that is connected to my AppleII. It can run up to 300 Baud and connects via RS232. The model is 103-232. The apple 2 can interface with this modem via the super serial card ( SSC ) card. I have also connected this to the commodore 64 via the GLINK232 interface as well.

ความคิดเห็น • 101

  • @MB-xw1tu
    @MB-xw1tu 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    This brought back some memories of my dad using basically this exact setup to avoid going into work in the middle of the night to fix some mainframe problem. My main use of that computer was playing Dungeon.

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Here, I searched for you...
      th-cam.com/video/nRiFivgw-gU/w-d-xo.html

  • @shayneoneill1506
    @shayneoneill1506 6 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    I remember being a kid in the 80s, and my grandfather dialing in with an accoustic coupler hooked to a teletype , dialing into the Vax mainframe at work , and showing me how he could get a listing of all the other people connected to it, and send them messages. He'd sit at home and write FORTRAN code for the chemistry stuff he did on paper, then type it out via the teletype into the VAX, compile it and get the results. I thought it was some serious science-fiction stuff. Oh if only that 7yo me knew just how far we'd advance beyond that. On the other hand, coding via a teletype was probably less frusturating than posting on youtube via an iphone o_O

    • @johneymute
      @johneymute 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      “Teletype less frustrating then upliading videos to youtube”?
      You probably mean that uploading videos to youtube feels less rewarding then sending a massage trough a teletype machine, that’s because uploading videos to youtube is waaaay to easy.

    • @fsecofficial
      @fsecofficial ปีที่แล้ว

      Univac made the VAX.

  • @TomBudin
    @TomBudin ปีที่แล้ว

    insane technology for the era

  • @dennisjr8438
    @dennisjr8438 7 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I love that keyboard sound!

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Does have that forgotten old school echo doesn't it....

    • @dennisjr8438
      @dennisjr8438 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Retro Tech & Electronics Yeah, it does. It takes me back.

  • @JOELwindows7
    @JOELwindows7 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    The modem dial up sound + Linux SSH using Apple II

  • @quinnsretrocomputing645
    @quinnsretrocomputing645 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Where could i find this calibration guide? I have an acoustic coupler modem that has some potentiometers and That guide may help.

  • @Omastian
    @Omastian 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice. I purchased an external 56K dialup modem a while back and also bought a USB to Serial interface adapter to use with the 25 pin serial port on the modem. As of today my efforts to get this setup running has failed on many occasions. My newest mystery involves using my new Spectrum Internet phone service which is VoiP and if it can handle 56K baud rate on my RS232 serial modem. Anyway, I enjoyed your video and thank you. PS, I did actually get the modem to respond to commands once and even dial out but it would not maintain connection but that was on a different landline phone and not the same as my new cable.

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      There is no way your spectrum VOIP will handle 56K. The Bandwidth for the codec simply does not exist. For older computers, it may function error free up to 9600 baud

  • @GreniuID
    @GreniuID 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hi. Very nice video.congrats. I have the same modem and I would like to test connection via dialup to the server with linux. Which equipment you use from the server side and how did you setup it? I would like to dial up a number on the phone like you did and connect to linux server. Thanks a lot and I apreciate

  • @carlettosan
    @carlettosan 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I can see you have an Atari 835 Modem and Atari 850 parallel/serial interface on your desk! Cool! Did you use them together with success doing a similar test? Do you also own an 830 acoustic coupler? Let me know.

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I’ve connected a few local computers but I find its more interesting to connect to a server or ax25

  • @netwalker-1
    @netwalker-1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    "Protovision, I have you now!"

  • @mauricewalshe8339
    @mauricewalshe8339 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I suspect over time the internal components have drifted out of the Bell Spec, also acoustic couplers are very sensitive to noise and vibrations - I used to put ours on a foam rubber bed so they didn't pick up vibrations

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I was able to confirm the tones with an oscilloscope and recalibrate to specification

    • @mauricewalshe8339
      @mauricewalshe8339 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@retrotechandelectronics Cool back in the Late 70's in the UK we altered our GPO approved modems by adding pot's to enable us to tweak the gain we where at several kyards from the switch out at cranfield uni

  • @Fosten12
    @Fosten12 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    sweet setup!!

  • @Cahos_Rahne_Veloza
    @Cahos_Rahne_Veloza 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Watchmojo just posted a video about the Top 10 Pieces of Tech that do not exist anymore and at number one was the Acoustic Coupler Modem and they showed a part of this video as a reference along with a scene from the movie WarGames. Now I came tracking down this video of yours because your arm and bracelet look snazzily hot 😍
    And it's perfectly fine if you find my comment disturbing 😢

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks for letting me know, I found the video, they sadly didnt provide any links to the work they used.

  • @ryanpuloski1364
    @ryanpuloski1364 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Ugg 300k. I still have my 9v acoustic coupler I bought for $200 and used to drive around to pay phones to connect to my pcmcia hp200lx . Miss those days were doing fun things with intent....

  • @TechKing19
    @TechKing19 8 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I think I have the same Star modem. What's the voltage requirements? It would be cool to get my Apple IIe connected to something.

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Do you still have a bell standard phone to connect to the couplers?

    • @TechKing19
      @TechKing19 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jordan Rubin I do have a rotary phone from the late 60s or early 70s.

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  8 ปีที่แล้ว

      mine shows 20v that can support at least 400ma

    • @TechKing19
      @TechKing19 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jordan Rubin Thanks! does polarity matter?

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  8 ปีที่แล้ว

      yes

  • @stevodestructo
    @stevodestructo 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Good stuff man :)

  • @audiodood
    @audiodood 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    You just earned a sub

  • @iz8dwf
    @iz8dwf 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hi, I have the same acoustic modem, but missing the power supply. I believe it's powered with AC supply, as internally the supply input goes to a bridge rectifier after the Orig - OFF - Ans switch.
    Can you please measure your power supply and confirm it's AC and the rated voltage?
    Thanks a lot!

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hello, thanks for the inquiry. Output is 20VAC rated to 400ma

    • @iz8dwf
      @iz8dwf 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you very much! I have now another question: in test mode, I get the characters echoed back correctly on serial only in originate mode. When in Answer mode, it doesn't even light the CD (carrier detect) led and no loopback happens of course. Is it the intended behaviour or do I need to check/repair something on my one?

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      That i could not tell you I would have to replicate the event

  • @johneymute
    @johneymute 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wish you showed how to dial in and showed the massage at the other end of another computer or wherever you sended, and now am thinking of it, what if we could create a acoustic coupler for smartphones wich is connected to another computer, we may could send massages that way to eachother, that would be cool.

  • @ElisandroDeLeon
    @ElisandroDeLeon 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Is it weird that I really want to use one of these? Not for every day use, but just for fun once in a while.

  • @pepforever9806
    @pepforever9806 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    wau ! in yesterday i´m a child

  • @fsecofficial
    @fsecofficial ปีที่แล้ว

    I think the CRT is more fascinating than the modem but that could just be because I know how the modem works.

  • @vigilante_stark
    @vigilante_stark 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good ol days

  • @untilwemeetagain_
    @untilwemeetagain_ 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Too cool

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      With the AX 25 modem, it can connect to a BBS wireless across the world at 300 baud

  • @peterparker6584
    @peterparker6584 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    can you help me? i have 1 and need to know what voltage requirements it runs on so i can prove it power's up. had it over 20 years and dont know what volt run;s it for power.

    • @shayneoneill1506
      @shayneoneill1506 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Got a model number? Can you open it up and see if theres any info on the circuit board. The answer could be anywhere from "3v" to "48v passive" :(

    • @mauricewalshe8339
      @mauricewalshe8339 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@shayneoneill1506 normally you connected it to the mains you wont run a modem on 3v -48 V maybe but that would be carrier grade modems for use in racks telecoms us a lot of 48v kit

  • @MichaelJamesSeattle
    @MichaelJamesSeattle 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your Ubuntu site it says "15 updates are security updates"! Shouldn't you do 'sudo apt-get update && time sudo apt-get dist-upgrade' before Matthew Broderick discovers your site's phone number?

  • @thathackerofyoutube
    @thathackerofyoutube ปีที่แล้ว

    Where can you buy this

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  ปีที่แล้ว

      Get a time machine and go back to 1976, then find any local computer store.

    • @thathackerofyoutube
      @thathackerofyoutube ปีที่แล้ว

      @@retrotechandelectronics yo actually can you give me a link to buy it

  • @drkinferno72
    @drkinferno72 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    How many bbs are even left?

  • @allanegleston4931
    @allanegleston4931 ปีที่แล้ว

    i have that same model phone for emergency use when the power goes out and i cant use my cordless. i also have a princess phone in my bed room. good job . like . ah yes . long gone are the dial up years for me. dsl.

  • @leegordon-asch7391
    @leegordon-asch7391 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    I still use mine. It's from the 80's. I have a rotary dial phone with the 3 wire connect in my place. No other choice. It's a real pain in the a**.

    • @stvpls
      @stvpls 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      why

    • @leegordon-asch7391
      @leegordon-asch7391 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'm a tenant & that is the stuff I'm stuck with right now. I would have to pay to upgrade. Money is tight. When I do get my own place, you bet I'm gonna get the latest stuff on the market !!!

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      So..... You are using 300 baud dial up to where?

    • @leegordon-asch7391
      @leegordon-asch7391 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I have my internet through Juno. I'm switching to NEP Telephone Co & getting everything changed up in Feb. My phone, internet & cable will come as a package. Goodbye to that old stuff. YAY.

    • @jacknedry3925
      @jacknedry3925 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hope you sell it to someone who will appreciate it

  • @evanperrine5973
    @evanperrine5973 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    The sound is like early dial up

    • @retrotechandelectronics
      @retrotechandelectronics  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The sound is early dial up.

    • @evanperrine5973
      @evanperrine5973 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@retrotechandelectronics Yes. It's just interesting to compare it to the more familiar 90s dial up sound

  • @michaelnocentini1253
    @michaelnocentini1253 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm in.

  • @Buzlubira
    @Buzlubira 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    2:57 :D

  • @PoRouS22
    @PoRouS22 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Saucool

  • @brianbaratheon
    @brianbaratheon ปีที่แล้ว

    Straight out of Doogie Howser.

  • @williameom
    @williameom ปีที่แล้ว

    3:18 60Ghz cpu. noice

  • @yxhankun
    @yxhankun 9 ปีที่แล้ว

    why a 30 years old apple ll still work?

    • @RoyHess666
      @RoyHess666 9 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      yxhankun because it was made to last - unlike todays junk which breaks after 2 year warranty time...

    • @peterparker6584
      @peterparker6584 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ive seen tham working and sale for big money

    • @cmorrow132
      @cmorrow132 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Because they were made from good parts and good labor. Crap today is made from the cheapest components possible most of the time. Quality control is one out of every several hundred thousand.

    • @Datharass
      @Datharass 7 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      because that particular machine wasn't made to be replaced yearly as is now the norm.

  • @VenturiLife
    @VenturiLife 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hack the planet!

  • @hothmandon
    @hothmandon 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wonder what porn hub looks like

  • @cjrstudios4100
    @cjrstudios4100 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    BROWN