Dabone's ESP8266-Based Wi-Fi Modems Bring "High" Speed Serial Communications to C64, C128 Micros

Pseudonymous vintage computing enthusiast "dabone" has released three Wi-Fi "modems" for the Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 families of eight-bit microcomputers, two of which are designed to fit internally — and all of which are compatible with the SwiftLink standard.

Launched in 1990 as a means to access at-the-time high-speed 2,400-baud modems from a Commodore 64, Dr. Evil Laboratories' SwiftLink-232 wasn't a huge commercial success at launch - but it set a standard for high-speed serial communication which is still in vogue among Commodore users today. It's no surprise, then, to find dabone's three Wi-Fi modems adhering to the SwiftLink standard — meaning any software compatible with SwiftLink is automatically compatible with the new hardware.

For those not looking to modify a classic system, dabone's Link232-Wifi is a wireless version of the SwiftLink-232 boosted to 38,400 board and featuring a 3D-printed housing which slots into a Commodore 64 or Commodore 128's cartridge slot. The Swift-T and Swift-L, by contrast, are for those who prefer a cleaner system or who don't want to sacrifice access to the cartridge slot: Fitted internally, the Swift-T is compatible with the "long-board" Commodore 64 and the Swift-L with the Commodore 128D.

Dabone has indicated that the modems, which are based around an Espressif ESP8266 module, have been tested with a range of communications packages including CCGMS, Striketerm, Desterm, and Centipede 128 — and that they should work with anything which understands the SwiftLink.

All three boards are now available on dabone's Tindie store, priced at $55 each for the internal models and $60 for the external cartridge; source code and design files are available on GitHub.