RetroBox Modem started as an experiment: could a modern single-board computer behave enough like a traditional Hayes modem that both old and new computers could use it naturally?

The first goal was simple: open a serial terminal, type AT, receive OK, and then use ATD to connect to a real BBS.

Once that worked, the project quickly grew. I added WiFi networking, TCP/Telnet handling, an OLED display, status LEDs, modem result codes, favorites, persistent configuration and audio.

The first successful BBS connection was the point where RetroBox stopped feeling like a software experiment and started feeling like a modem.

There is still a lot to refine, but the core idea is now working: a computer talks Hayes, RetroBox handles the modern network underneath, and the user gets something that feels much closer to the dial-up experience.