HOWTO: Connect to a BBS Using Term

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Overview

Term is a lightweight and reliable Amiga terminal program. It can handle:

  • Serial connections to real modems
  • TCP connections via devices like telser.device
  • Compatible with AmiTCP, Roadshow, or emulated setups

This guide covers:

  • Setting up Term with a real serial modem
  • Using Term with telser.device (TCP bridge)
  • Alternative connection options and tips for modern BBSes

What You’ll Need

Hardware / Software

  • An Amiga (real hardware or emulator)
  • Term installed
  • A BBS phone number or telnet host/port
  • One of the following connection methods:
    • Real serial modem
    • TCP-to-serial bridge (telser.device)
    • AmiTCP / Roadshow TCP stack for networked connections

Option 1: Connecting via Real Serial Modem

Step 1: Open Term and Configure Serial Port

  • Device: serial.device
  • Unit: 0
  • Baud Rate: 9600–19200 (depending on modem)
  • Data Bits: 8
  • Parity: None
  • Stop Bits: 1
  • Flow Control: RTS/CTS (hardware recommended)

Step 2: Configure Modem Init String

Minimal init string:

ATZ

Optional extended init:

AT&F&C1&D2

Ensure modem echo is off if needed:

ATE0

Step 3: Dial the BBS

  • Enter the phone number
  • Dial using Tone (ATDT) or Pulse (ATDP)
  • Term will wait for carrier and present the login prompt

Option 2: Connecting via Telnet Using telser.device

telser.device allows Term to treat a TCP/IP connection as a serial device.

Step 1: Install telser.device

  • Copy telser.device to DEVS:
  • Ensure AmiTCP or Roadshow stack is running
  • Reboot recommended for device registration

Step 2: Configure Term to Use telser.device

  • Serial Device: telser.device
  • Unit: 0
  • Baud Rate: 38400 (or higher)
  • Flow Control: None (handled by telser)

Step 3: Dial Using Telnet AT Command

ATDT bbs.example.com:23

If BBS uses a non-standard port:

ATDT bbs.example.com:6400

Term will connect as if dialing a modem.

Step 4: Common Telser Commands in Term

CommandFunction
ATDT host:portConnect to TCP host
ATHHang up
ATZReset session
+++Escape sequence

Option 3: Alternative Devices & Methods

  • bsdsocket.device – low-level TCP socket support
  • netserial.device – modern TCP bridge
  • Emulated serial ports in WinUAE / FS-UAE – for testing

These options typically require manual configuration of Term’s serial parameters.

Troubleshooting

  • No connection / immediate disconnect
    • Verify TCP stack or serial device
    • Check port / host
    • Confirm unit and device names in Term
  • Garbled text
    • Ensure 8N1 (8-bit, no parity, 1 stop bit)
    • Reduce baud rate
    • Disable compression on real modems
  • No AT response
    • Wrong device name
    • telser.device not installed in DEVS:
    • Unit mismatch

Notes for Modern Usage

  • Most active BBSes today support telnet (TCP), making Term + telser.device ideal
  • Real modems are compatible with VoIP gateways if you prefer authentic dialing
  • Term works perfectly in emulation or on original hardware

Summary

Term is a fast, reliable terminal for Amiga:

  • ✔ Authentic connection with real modems
  • ✔ Modern TCP connectivity with telser.device
  • ✔ Works on emulation or classic hardware
  • ✔ Ideal for BBS, HAM, or hobbyist networks

Whether you’re dialing in the old-fashioned way or bridging to telnet, Term remains a viable, low-overhead tool.

Related HOWTOs

  • HOWTO: Connect to a BBS Using NComm
  • HOWTO: Connect to a BBS Using SyncTERM
  • HOWTO: Connect to a BBS Using NetRunner
  • HOWTO: Connect to a BBS in 2026