Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Nick Kennedy is the creator of SIO2PC, the hardware and software combination that allowed Atari 8-bit computer users to use a PC as a peripheral. In 1989, this was unprecedented, a new way to connect the little Atari to the bigger world, to the (relatively) massive storage and speed of a computer running PC-DOS. For the first time, Ataris could use a PC as storage, RAM disk, and printer. Nick also created the .ATR file format, which quickly became the standard for using virtual floppy disks on Atari emulators.
Nick also created 10502PC, a cable that let you connect an Atari floppy drive directly to a PC; and AtariCOM, a less well-known utility that allowed two Atari 8-Bit computers to communicate using the SIO and joystick ports. And, he created Atari-based amateur radio tools: a terminal program for packet radio, and Morse code keyer software, which he and I talked about in detail in our previous interview.
This interview took place on November 1, 2024.
Nick's web site: pages.suddenlink.net/wa5bdu/index.htm
Nick's SIO2PC page: pages.suddenlink.net/wa5bdu/sio2pc.htm
My previous interview with Nick about ham radio and Atari:
youtu.be/SoGkbA5tsRk
ANTIC Interview 144 - Stephen Lawrow, Mac/65 assembler: youtu.be/msTh3LG2ZDo
Bob Woolley's Review of SIO2PC in Atari Interface Magazine 1991-01: archive.org/details/atari-interface-complete-collection/page/n1093/mode/1up
1993 Atari Classics article: SIO2PC: Slave An IBM To Your 8-Bit:
archive.org/details/Atari_Classics_v2n1_Feb_1993/page/n12/mode/1up
The ATR File Format: fileformats.archiveteam.org/wiki/ATR
AtariCom: https://atari.fox-1.nl/tag/nick/
DAK catalogs: archive.org/details/dak_catalogs
Best Electronics: best-electronics-ca.com
Mapping the Atari by Ian Chadwick: atariarchives.org/mapping
AtariMax APE and ProSystem: atarimax.com
Old Hackers Atari User Group newsletter disks: atariarchives.org/oldhackers
Nick Kennedy on AtariAge: forums.atariage.com/profile/81204-nick-kennedy
Support Kay's interviews on Patreon: patreon.com/savetz
Nick Kennedy is the creator of SIO2PC, the hardware and software combination that allowed Atari 8-bit computer users to use a PC as a peripheral. In 1989, this was unprecedented, a new way to connect the little Atari to the bigger world, to the (relatively) massive storage and speed of a computer running PC-DOS. For the first time, Ataris could use a PC as storage, RAM disk, and printer. Nick also created the .ATR file format, which quickly became the standard for using virtual floppy disks on Atari emulators.
Nick also created 10502PC, a cable that let you connect an Atari floppy drive directly to a PC; and AtariCOM, a less well-known utility that allowed two Atari 8-Bit computers to communicate using the SIO and joystick ports. And, he created Atari-based amateur radio tools: a terminal program for packet radio, and Morse code keyer software, which he and I talked about in detail in our previous interview.
This interview took place on November 1, 2024.
Nick's web site: pages.suddenlink.net/wa5bdu/index.htm
Nick's SIO2PC page: pages.suddenlink.net/wa5bdu/sio2pc.htm
My previous interview with Nick about ham radio and Atari:
youtu.be/SoGkbA5tsRk
ANTIC Interview 144 - Stephen Lawrow, Mac/65 assembler: youtu.be/msTh3LG2ZDo
Bob Woolley's Review of SIO2PC in Atari Interface Magazine 1991-01: archive.org/details/atari-interface-complete-collection/page/n1093/mode/1up
1993 Atari Classics article: SIO2PC: Slave An IBM To Your 8-Bit:
archive.org/details/Atari_Classics_v2n1_Feb_1993/page/n12/mode/1up
The ATR File Format: fileformats.archiveteam.org/wiki/ATR
AtariCom: https://atari.fox-1.nl/tag/nick/
DAK catalogs: archive.org/details/dak_catalogs
Best Electronics: best-electronics-ca.com
Mapping the Atari by Ian Chadwick: atariarchives.org/mapping
AtariMax APE and ProSystem: atarimax.com
Old Hackers Atari User Group newsletter disks: atariarchives.org/oldhackers
Nick Kennedy on AtariAge: forums.atariage.com/profile/81204-nick-kennedy
Support Kay's interviews on Patreon: patreon.com/savetz
