Introducing synthmodem, a modem-to-telnet gateway. Synthmodem allows you to use a real hardware modem (anything from 300bps to 33.6kbps) to access telnet resources on the internet. It acts as a proxy between your modem and the internet, and runs on Windows or Linux hosts. Real Modem -> SIP Gateway (e.g. SPA2102) -> synthmodem -> Telnet
What you need: A computer with a modem A SIP Gateway (hundreds on eBay for A PC to run synthmodem Internet
This is an alternative to other solutions such as wi-fi modems and RS232 serial connections for folks who want to use their real modems.
Protocols supported: Bell103 V.21 V.22 V.22bis V.23 V.32bis V.34
My testing has been done using a TRS-80 Color Computer 3 w/ Direct Connect Modem Pak @ 300bps and a modern USB modem at up to 33.6k. Best results are at 19.2kbps and below for hardwired connection, 9600bps for wi-fi.
Here it is getting my CoCo3 online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmrtVg1ozqg
And here is the github for more info and download: https://github.com/synexo/synthmodem
Results may not be perfect, and so far only I have tested it. Stability has been excellent at low speeds (up to 2400bps), maintaining connections for several hours when the gateway and PC are directly connected to one another (just a standard CAT5 between them, and then PC on wi-fi for network). On faster connections, I've seen some idle drops even when hardwired but still had many 30+ minute BBS sessions with no issue. Just a PSA to say don't go buy a SPA for this and expect it to work 100% though at this time.
Synthmodem was coded by artificial intelligence (Claude), incorporating open source code and binaries developed by humans. submitted by /u/synexo [link] [comments]