Recreating the RSVE mod…

[Darklord]

You know guys, the good news about all this is for anyone who is NOT operating
a BBS (it takes a mad person, way out there on the fringe - trust me!!!), this
device is awesome.

I'm planning on installing 1 on modem1 on my Mega STe and 1 in my STacy. Then
I'll be really be able to crank out the comms! :)

[exxos]

I wonder if the diagnostic cart would run over serial faster :shrug:

[sporniket]

I will just update the github repository with supplemental documentation and a link to this thread, as the gerbers for the pcb is already published.

I have committed the quick installation guide and updated the main README to mention this thread.

[Darklord]

@TheNameOfTheGame

Okay, I got around to playing with Express's baud rate settings. It gives you 3 settings
in the SYSEDIT.TOS software:

Minimum speed
Maximum speed
Starting speed

As I mentioned before, the author always stated that all 3 needed to be set to 19200
to support the fastest modems (at that time).

So I set minimum speed to 1200 and tried everything. It made no difference at all and
everything still worked (except downloads of course).

I then set the starting speed to 1200 as well. Apparently the starting speed is key, and
what triggers the RSVE/HSModem remapping. If it's not set to 19200, there's no remapping
and Express does not communicate with the WiModem232 (set at 38.4k) at all.

So I went back and set the remapping to 1200 and set Express's starting speed to 1200. This
works, as far as Express is kicked up to 38.4 and does communicate with the WiModem232.

However, it makes no difference for anything else. Trying to logon at any other speed works,
as far as navigating the BBS goes, but file downloads still error out with "sub packet too long"
CRC error(s), etc,. Attempted file downloads at 38.4k do work great though.

So since I can't find any difference changing these settings and changing the RSVE/HSModem
remapped speed, I changed them all back.

It's still as if no matter what baud/speed you logon with, Express, combined with the RSVE +
HSModem remapping, assumes everything is 38.4k and throws all data at the caller at that
speed regardless.

So I've been using a Win10 box with SyncTerm for these trials. From there, downloads are
executed flawlessly, typically at 3700 cps or greater.

What was really disappointing for me today was when I hooked up another WiModem232 to
my Mega STe on its serial/LAN port (the hi-speed one) and still couldn't download successfully.

This was with STalker and the WiModem232 set to 38.4k. Connected fine, errors out on downloads

What the Win10 box and SyncTerm are doing that's different? I don't know. I'll keep working on this
and hopefully find a solution somewhere down the road...

[Darklord]

Just wanted to follow up on this a bit. I don't know what I was
thinking but I was using MFP.PRG on my Mega STe and the serial2/LAN
port. According to the docs, that should be SCC.PRG for that port.

I've not tried it yet but I'm going to swap those out and try again.

I'll report back here when I have results...

[Darklord]

Oh, and just a couple more pictures of where I decided to put the
LED. Briefly (very briefly) thought about putting it in the front of
the case but didn't really care for the cosmetics of that so I put it
in the removable cover on the back plane. 1 simple hole to drill
and the LED is in place.

Eventually I'd like to get another cover and redo it with closer
tolerances and a better fit. More professional looking. What can
I say, I was in a hurry to try out the Lightning ST that day. :)

RSVE-Mod-06.JPG

RSVE-Mod-07.JPG

[Darklord]

I have another question (surprise!). :)

Just out of curiosity, and I know nothing of these things so if this
is a silly question I apologize in advance.

But...is there anything in the code that, while allowing 38.4 speeds
on modem 1, would inhibit or disallow or affect lower speeds in any way?

Thanks, and sorry if this is one of "those" questions...

[Darklord]

Been awhile but I just wanted to report my 2nd successful installation using
Sporniket's excellent remake of the RSVE serial port modification.

Since I've got my STacy open right now, doing a kazillion other things to it,
I thought I'd go ahead and put the RSVE mod in.

Things went pretty smoothly this time, with the experience from having already
installed one in my Mega ST4.

HSModem's redirection of port speeds works well. In one of the pictures you can
see the STacy's monitor in the background, where Flash! is running. Flash is an
older comms/terminal program that does not recognize anything past 19.2k or
anything besides Modem1. With HSmodem though, picking 19.2 from Flash!'s
settings invokes 38.4k speeds transparently. I also checked it out with STalker
and CoNnect95 but they do recognize higher speeds and extra ports. All worked
fine, so I'm assuming other legacy comms programs like ANSITerm, Freeze Dried
Terminal, etc, should work as well.

This was all with a WiModem232 wireless modem.

Thanks again to Sporniket for taking the time to remake this nice hardware mod.

Here's a few pictures ('cause we love pictures, right?): :)

STacy-RSVE Mod03.JPG

STacy-RSVE Mod04.JPG

STacy-RSVE Mod05.JPG

STacy-RSVE Mod06.JPG

STacy-RSVE Mod07.JPG

PS Yeah, yeah, I know I need to clean up that 3D printed case
on the WiModem232 and make it "pretty". :lol:

[sporniket]

I'm glad to see that it goes well :)

[Darklord]

It has! Still on the fence as to whether or not I'll put the 3rd RSVE kit on modem1
of my Mega STe or just keep it as a backup, considering that the Mega STe does
already have an enhanced serial port at modem/serial 2.