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The Commodore 64 Ultimate BBS use and Turbo56K

The Commodore 64 Ultimate BBS use and Turbo56K

The definition of “Turbo 56K” refers to a high-speed data protocol for vintage computers like the Commodore 64.  Turbo56K was created by Jorge Castillo as a simple protocol to provide high speed file transfer functionality to his bit-banging 57600bps RS232 routine for the Commodore 64. Over time, the protocol has been extended to include 4-bit PCM audio streaming, bitmap graphics transfer and display, SID and PSG music streaming and more. 

retroterm/docs/turbo56k.md at master · retrocomputacion/retroterm · GitHub

Here’s a quick guide to getting started:

To use Turbo56K you will need a terminal program that support this protocol. 

  • Fire up your Commodore 64 Ultimate and activate the Menu (Power button up)  
  • Activate the Advanced Settings (F2 Key) and navigate down to Cartridge and ROM Settingsmake sure you have no Cartridge installed – Cartridge – no entry/blank 

Return to the Main Menu and navigate to Modem Settings. Make sure your modem settings are as follows: 

Navigate back to the Disk File Browser and navigate to where you stored your rt-cbm–ulti.prg, hit ENTER and select Run 

When the RetroTerm loads press F1 to access the Terminal 

Its very cool. The screen appears like it does on War Games along with sound also 👍  (use the Commodore Key – M to toggle this)

If you type ati and press ENTER you should get this below which indicates everything is all good. 

Connect to a Turbo56K site using the following: atd (attention / dial) and then the number/address 

EXAMPLE: Type atd lu4fbu.ddns.net:6400 and press ENTER 

Press INST/DEL once connected.

You will then get the intro screen, press ENTER or SPACE and you will get the Main Menu. 

Have a good look around. Some of the NASA stuff is really awesome as well as the Radios and streaming services. 

ENJOY ! 

 NOTES: 

  • Sometimes I have experienced times when the modem doesn’t initialise properly. If you experience this then I find its best to turn off the C64U and operate from a Cold Start.
  • If you are just wanting to visit normal C64 Bulletin Boards then navigate your Commodore 64 Cassette (USB) to BBS\UltimateTerm and Run UltimateTerm.d64
  • Danny Crosgrey has created a Commodore 64 BBS List spreadsheet