Connecting to a BBS

FujiNet’s built-in WiFi modem emulation allows your Atari to connect to bulletin board systems (BBSes) over the internet using standard Hayes-compatible AT commands. This guide walks you through connecting to a BBS step by step.

Prerequisites

• An Atari computer with FujiNet connected and powered on
• A working WiFi connection configured in CONFIG
• A host slot pointed to atari-apps.irata.online (or another source for the modem programs disk)

Connection Workflow

flowchart TD
    A[Boot CONFIG] --> B[Select atari-apps.irata.online]
    B --> C[Navigate to Atari_8-bit / Comms]
    C --> D[Select modem-programs.atr]
    D --> E[Mount as Read on D1:]
    E --> F[Press OPTION to boot]
    F --> G[Select BOBTerm from menu]
    G --> H[Set baud rate]
    H --> I[Enter terminal mode]
    I --> J[Dial BBS with ATDT command]
    J --> K[Interact with BBS]
    K --> L[Log out and disconnect]

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Load the Modem Programs Disk

1. Power on FujiNet and your Atari. Wait for CONFIG to boot.
2. Select the host slot for atari-apps.irata.online.
3. Navigate into the Atari_8-bit folder, then the Comms folder.
4. Select modem-programs.atr.
5. Ensure it is mounted as R (read-only) on D1:.
6. Press OPTION to boot.

2. Launch BOBTerm

1. Wait for the menu to appear after booting.
2. Select 1 for BOBTerm and wait for it to load.

3. Set the Baud Rate

1. Once BOBTerm is loaded, press B to cycle through baud rates.
2. Press B once to select 2400 baud, or press B twice to select 4800 baud.
3. Press RETURN to enter terminal mode.

Tip: Most BBSes work well at 2400 or 4800 baud. Some may support higher speeds.

4. Test the Modem

Before dialing, verify that the modem emulation is working:

1. Type AT and press RETURN.
2. FujiNet should respond with OK.

If you do not see OK, check your WiFi connection and try again.

5. Dial a BBS

Use the ATDT command followed by the BBS hostname and optional port number:

ATDT hostname[:port]

For example:

ATDT southernamis.ddns.net

Or, to specify a port:

ATDT basementbbs.ddns.net:9000

FujiNet will attempt to connect. On success, you will see CONNECT followed by the baud rate, then the BBS login screen.

6. Interact with the BBS

• Follow the BBS prompts to log in. If you are a new user, the BBS will typically guide you through registration.
• Press ? at the main prompt for a list of available commands.
• Explore message boards, file libraries, and online games.

7. Log Out

1. From the main BBS prompt, press G (or follow the BBS-specific logout instructions).
2. Complete the logout process.
3. FujiNet will display NO CARRIER once the connection is closed.

Common AT Commands

Example BBSes

Here are some active BBSes you can connect to with FujiNet:

For a more comprehensive list of active Atari BBSes, visit southernamis.com/atari-bbs-list.

Troubleshooting

• No response to AT command: Ensure WiFi is connected. Reboot FujiNet and try again.
• BUSY or NO CARRIER immediately: The BBS may be offline or at capacity. Try a different BBS or wait and retry.
• Garbled text: Try a different baud rate. Press B in BOBTerm to cycle through available speeds.
• Cannot find modem-programs.atr: Verify your host slot is set to atari-apps.irata.online and navigate to the correct folder path.

Further Reading

• Deploying Your Own BBS
• More information on connecting to Atari BBSes