ESP8266 Wifi Module For RC2014

Name: ESP8266 Wifi Module For RC2014
SKU: 11549
Price: 22.66 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.92 (6 reviews)

(6 Reviews)

Serial Wifi bridge for RC2014 based on ESP8266. Control your RC2014 remotely, put it on the internet, or connect to BBS

Designed by RFC2795 Ltd in United Kingdom

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Serial Wifi bridge for RC2014 based on ESP8266. Control your RC2014 remotely, put it on the internet, or connect to BBS

What is RC2014? RC2014 is a simple 8 bit Z80 based modular computer. It is inspired by the home built computers of the late 70s and computer revolution of the early 80s. It is not a clone of anything…

What is RC2014?

RC2014 is a simple 8 bit Z80 based modular computer. It is inspired by the home built computers of the late 70s and computer revolution of the early 80s. It is not a clone of anything specific, but there are suggestions of the ZX81, UK101, S100, Superboard II and Apple I in here. It nominally has 8K ROM, 32K RAM, runs at 7.3728MHz and communicates over serial at 115,200 baud. As a bare minimum, you will need a CPU, ROM, RAM, Clock and Input/Output module. The RC2014 is designed in such a way that you can build your own modules to expand it. As such, if you have access to similar components, or have specific needs, you might not need all the items I have on offer.

What is this module?

This module adds an ESP8266 micro to the serial port of the RC2014. It is supplied with ESP-Link firmware pre-installed on the ESP8266, which allows easy remote connection to the RC2014 over a Wifi network. The ESP8266 can be reprogrammed with other firmware, via the ESP8266 SDK or use the Arduino IDE. This can allow such uses as streaming the RC2014 output live to the internet (Twitch TV for the 1980s?) or even surfing internet based BBS.

Jumpers allow you to connect the ESP to the primary UART, or to UART 2 if you have the SIO/2 Dual Serial Module. The ESP8266 can be put in to programming mode and reprogrammed from a standard FTDI cable via jumper selection too.

A couple of the GPIO pins are connected to LEDs, which can indicate Wifi Connected and data activity. All the GPIO pins are brought out to pads and a small prototyping area is available for adding more functionality.

Note that the ESP8266 module itself, and the 3v3 regulator are surface mount components - however, they are quite large, so should be easily manageable, even by those that have only done through-hole soldering before.

It can be used with Standard Bus backplanes (Backplane 5 or Backplane 8), or the RC2014 Mini with single row header pins, or with Enhanced Bus backplanes (Backplane Pro) with double row header pins. If the Standard Bus option is chosen, then a 20 pin straight header is also supplied in case you need access to the TX2 and RX2 signals.

What do I get?

Standard Kit This includes all the components to build the ESP8266 Wifi Module, including PCB, ESP-12 Module, header, jumpers, LEDs and passive components.
PCB Only Go on, take a guess what this kit includes ;-)

RC2014 is a trademark of RFC2795 Ltd.

See BOM for more info

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Products are normally shipped next working day, however during busy periods this may extend slightly.

Tracked or Tracked & Signed options are available to most locations. This may not get your kit to you any quicker, but it adds peace of mind that you know where it has got to.

It is your responsibility to pay any import duty or other taxes where appropriate.

Important note for European Union customers Tindie is unable to comply with new EU tax regulations, so unfortunately I am no longer shipping to the EU via Tindie, but do sell them through a website which is does handle the VAT and tax payments.

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (4.83)

Shipping: (4.83)

Communication: (5.00)

Ricky | April 5, 2023

Easy to assemble, and worked the first try!

I'm enjoying this module, and allows access of the RC2014 remotely. The ESP-Link firmware creates an access point, that you simply connect to, and bring up it's configuration web page. From the configuration page, you can connect it to your internet router, In my case, I just set up a separate router for vintage systems, so they are all in one place.

Gerald | June 23, 2021

Great way to untether your RC2014

This module has the great component quality of the other RC2014 developer’s kits. The idea of linking to the RC2014 over WiFi is a great way to uncouple your RC2014 from your PC/MAC/Linux machine, with communication between the RC2014’s console interface and your chosen terminal software working well. I had no problems assembling the kit: the ESP8266 module needs a little care during soldering but if you’ve assembled other RC2014 modules, especially the CF module, then it’s a cinch!

In use, I had no problems setting up the WiFi connection to my router and console command send and reply was just as good as using the Serial interface (via a USB adapter). Initially, though, I had problems with file transfers to/from the RC2014; these turned out to be due to the WiFi configuration in the ESP8266 which had it responding to every ping/beacon put out by my router and that of other routers in the neighbourhood. Once I’d corrected the configuration, it worked flawlessly.

John | Feb. 21, 2021

Excellent kit and value. Remember to change R2 to 1K

I have several of the RC2014 kits. Well thought out and all have worked first time. I have WiFi board v1.2. The kit came with 2x10K for the R1 and R2 positions, both labeled 10K on the board. R2 needs to be 1K. It was only clear after I looked at the schematic, which is labeled v1.2, but the text mentions only v1.1. Works great.

Mogens | Oct. 19, 2020

Simple and effective way to add Wifi to your system

This module is quite easy to assemble - even if two of the components are surface mount. I use a little snippet of masking tape to fix the component until a couple of solder points are made.
Out of the box, the module supports "mirroring" of TX and RX of the serial port to Wifi - meaning that you can use telnet or similar software to establish a wireless connection to your small computer. However, as the ESP8266 is a programmable microcontroller, you could possibly do a lot more with the module.

I have succesfully tested the module in the following systems:
1) SC126 Z180 computer (the Z180 has built-in SIOs).
2) SC114 Z80 computer, fitted with Z80 SIO/0 module (SC132).
3) SC114 Z80 computer, fitted with MC68B50 (Serial and Storage module #61) and digital IO module (SC129).
4) RC2014 Mini

I had a little troubleshooting in the beginning, due to a resistor with wrong value (always double-check component values...).
But Spencer quickly spotted the problem, and I got it working by replacing the resistor. Very helpful and kind service from Spencer, thank you!

I can highly recommend the modules provided by Spencer.

John | June 15, 2020

So useful.

Connecting up a terminal to your RC2014 system can be a pain - wires everywhere, messing with serial connections, laptop balanced next to the soldering iron.
Just slot this card in, and then you can Telnet wirelessly into your system from anywhere in the house. Convenient, and hassle free.

Bill | Jan. 22, 2020

ESP8266 WiFi Module For RC2014

This product works !!! It allows my RC2014 Mini to be controlled via my home network, wirelessly.

Later on, I'll be able to do this from anywhere in the world.

Many Thanks to Spencer for his great kits, his help, & support.

Cheers to you Spencer !!!

Bill

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