This is a brief set of notes for how to use Kermit on the Amstrad PCW to transfer files between it and another device.
In my case I’m using a Wifi Modem https://github.com/VapourSoft/PCWWiFiModem/ which allows network connections to other IPv4 hosts.
This is for CP/M 3 - which is what the PCW runs - but apparently there are improvements in the XBIOS in later versions? Eg, The PCW Wifi Modem wiki mentions needing at least PCW CP/M v1.7.
The first step is actually /getting/ Kermit. This is .. more linked to the next step than I’d like.
Start here - https://kermitproject.org/. The CP/M kermit stuff is currently here - https://www.columbia.edu/kermit/archive.html.
Now it’s all a bit 1980s. The site doesn’t provide pre-built Kermit binaries. Instead you’ll need to start with withe CP/M 80 Kermit 4.11 bundle in cpm80.zip.
The short version is you need to transfer the build tool (mtool.hex), the kermit application (cpsker.hex) and the PCW specific driver (cpvpcw.hex). If you want to build the generic CP/M 3.0 one then also transfer the generic driver (cpvgen.hex).
Then once they’re on your machine, you need to build them.
This is the first hurdle - getting it over. It’s 2024, not 1987, and so you may have the “how do I bootstrap a 3” or 3.5” CP/M disk?” problem.
I use MAIL232.COM, which is a hidden program on your Locoscript disk. It supports ASCII transfers, which is just fine for the .HEX files.
The MAIL232 program is described in the CPS8256 user manual - manual_cps8256_english.pdf.
The Wifi Modem I’m using uses hardware flow control, so before starting Kermit you should configure it appropriately.
This sets it to 9600, hardware handshaking, no software flow control, no interrupts (ie, polled.)
You can use SET SPEED in the PCW Kermit to set the serial port speed (eg if you change it during use), but you can’t do that with the generic CP/M build.
(This is TBD - it’s mostly notes for me right now)
https://www.kermitproject.org/ck10clientserver.html
On the PC side:
On the PCW side
Then at the modem:
The - prefix here says “raw network, no telnet escaping / NUL insertion after CRLF, etc.” It’s part of the PCW Wifi Modem command set.
Once it connects, break back into the kermit command line, and you should be able to talk to the remote side, eg
At this point make sure it’s binary, ie
Then you should be able to SEND and GET files as appropriate.