spear@ihopb.UUCP (Steven Spearman) (10/03/83)
Here are the even dozen responses I received from my request for
information on inexpensive modems. I have edited all of them to
remove all names - anyone desiring specific information please
contact me.
The responses were very mixed but I find them quite helpful.
If there are any that did not get to me or that anyone would
like to add, send them to me and I will submit a followup here.
Steven Spearman
ihnp4!ihopb!spear
Response 1***************************************************
The local computer store salesman tells me they used to carry
USR but they weren't very reliable. Too bad, because that that
price and with Hayes compatibility, they should be a big win.
Response 2***************************************************
You can't go wrong with U. S. Robotics modems. I have one
at work and I am using on at home right now.
"Auto Dial 212A" - BTL price $396.00
Auto dial, Auto answer, Hayes compatable
control codes, 300-1200 baud- and auto
selects the speed to match your terminal.
I have had mine for about 8 months without
any problems. It is NOT line powered.
"Micro Link 1200" - BTL price $317.00 @ 1-83 (maybe cheaper now)
1200 baud only, with no auto dial or answer.
A good solid "bare bones" 1200 baud modem.
I have had this modem since the beginning
of this year, and I have had no problems.
Response 3*******************************************************
I know you will get lots of responses exactly like this, but...
Please send me (or post) any info you get on 1200 baud modems.
To give you some information (besides asking for some), there is
someone in our department that got the U.S.Robotics modem for about
$325 or so from a discount house. It is auto-dial and everything.
So far, that is the best I have heard about.
Response 4*******************************************************
Racal Vadic VA1200LC $399 (quantity 6, Inland Associates)
300/1200 bps (103/212),
Auto answer,
Manual originate,
Direct connect,
TXD, RXD, CXR, DATA (as opposed to Voice), HIGH indicators,
VOICE, DATA, HIGH SPD, LOW SPD switches.
Comments:
Sits under the phone, powered by wall cord, very reliable (so far),
simple interface, best suited for remote use (human end) rather than
local (computer end) although we're connecting all but one of ours
to the computer.
Faults:
Bad documentation. 1/2 of the manual is spent trying to sell you
the modem (thanks, but I already bought mine). The other 1/2 is spent
explaining the 4 switches and operations. Does not include a rs232
pinout indicating which pins are supported (although it references
a nonexistent appendix which is supposed to).
Powers up in voice mode. Not good if you want your phones answered.
There may be a jumper for this, I haven't called Vadic to ask.
Comments on the Faults:
There is a 800 number for the Vadic diagnostic test center. These
folks are intensivly helpful, providing all the help I needed. They
agreed that the manual sucked and told me that it was being rewritten.
Response 5**************************************************************
This is probably not news to you, but the Hayes Smartmodem 1200 is a very
nice modem with auto-dial/auto-answer. It will do pulse or touch-tone,
even switching in mid call (useful for long distance services). Hayes is
a very reliable company, and the modem has a 2 year warranty. However,
the company in many cases will arbitrarily extend the warranty indefinitely.
The modem lists for about $700, but can be gotten mail order for under
$500 (not by much though).
Response 6*************************************************************
This is in response to your request for information on "cheap" 1200 baud
modems.
I can recommend the U.S. Robotics Password modem after 3 weeks of personal
use and several months use by a friend. Our usage is strictly local
(probably a 4 mile loop length) so I don't know how it would work
on longer calls.
The Password lists for $449 but can be purchased for $349 (Terminals
Terrific, this months Byte). It is a no frills modem but supports 300/1200
baud autodial (tone or pulse). The call is established at the same speed
as the dial command from the terminal-- only 1 thing to change when switching
from a 1200 to 300 baud dialin. Dialing protocol is a subset of the
Hayes Smart modem protocol. The modem is powered off a 9vdc transformer
at the 110v outlet. It has only a power on indicator-- no rs232 lead
led's. One quirk is that it has a permanently attached 18 inch rs232
cable with a male connector (female may be an option?). Dip switches
select the data format (parity, data bits, stop bits), force DCD indication
and force DTR. I don't believe it supports the self test, remote loopback
or synchronous mode.
All in all it seems like a good deal for $349.
Response 7**********************************************************
About 6 weeks ago I put an article on the net about the Rixon R212A
Intelligent Modem. This modem has auto-dial, auto-answer, and is
completely controlled from the keyboard. It can store up to to
phone numbers, each up to 60 characters in length (to allow for
comments after the number). The modem can handle PBX's, remote access
codes and can enter your login id and password ,too. Note: the password
can be "hidden" by the modem but the modem has a 2 year battery powered
backup so it is best to NOT enter your password this way; otherwise,
someone can literally steal your password. The modem has a number
of other nice features and it sells for about $450. many people in
(our dept.) have this modem and like it a lot. The user manual for
the modem is misleading in places or just plain wrong. I have
let the Rixon people know this and they will be putting out
an updated manual eventually.
P.S. A person who was using the R212A just came in and told me that his
R212A just went kaput. So that lowers the reliabilty factor.
Response 8**********************************************************
I bought a USRobotics Password a few weeks ago and, while I haven't begun
to use all its features, I did some 1200 baud remote work with it using the
auto-dial feature, and it worked crisply and reliably the first time.
Any problems I had were with the notoriously bad phone connections between
my phone system at home (Pacific NW Bell) and that serving the area where I
work (GTE), and I was able to overcome them each time by re-dialing.
My impression of the Password so far is very favorable. (It runs warm but
I know of no reason to think that'll be a problem.) I bought mine for $350
from Glenn Widener of Widener Consulting here in the Beaverton, Ore., area.
My choice was based on price, warranty, compactness, availability, and
reports of the modem's technological superiority over all its competitors.
I'm appending (A dealer's) own announcement of this product and some other
commentary. You can judge for yourself.
Appended to response 8*******************************************
I have spent several months looking for a good buy on Bell 212
modems and think I have a much better deal then the Racal-Vadic.
US Robotics makes a line of modems that uses far superior (and
cheaper technology than Vadic. The products are so good that
I have just concluded a distributor contract
with them. The following is the announcement about the modems.
Also, some folks in Willsonville have been evaluating modems and
come to the same conclusions I have. They have found both the 212LC
and the fancy auto dial unit to be ancient and unreliable analog
technology with about three times the parts of the USR modems.
Plus the auto dial is too susceptoble to line noise. They are going
with USR. I'll also append some of their comments.
Cheap Modem Update
Thought you might be interested in the latest on the 1200 Baud
modems from USR. I have signed a distributorship contract with USR.
My pricing is now
Product: Features Price: List 1-4 5+mixed
Micro Link 1200: 1200 baud................................$449..$320..$305
Auto Link 1200: 1200 baud, auto answer...................$499..$350..$335
Auto Link 212A: 1200/300 baud, auto answer...............$549..$390..$370
Auto Dial 212A: 1200/300 baud, auto answer, auto dial....$599..$425..$405
Password: Smaller version of the Auto Dial 212A....$449..$350..$325
S-100: S-100 card version of the Auto Dial......$449..$350..$325
The Password and S-100 are re-packaged versions of the Auto Dial
without the LED's and the second RJ11C jack. The Password is in a
smaller, lighter, coat-pocktable plastic case with the RS-232C cable
built-in and the S-100 is just what it says - an S-100 card version of
the Auto Dial. Both should be available May 30. I have brochures if
you are interested.
For all you CP/M hackers, I have begun modifying a modem program
to work with the USR modems. The program was written in BDS C by
Chuck Forsberg and is compatible with and a significant improvement
on Modem 7. I have added Auto Dialing from a directory file, a
filter for the idle line hit error sequence produced by the USR
modems, and some fixes. It presently runs on Big Boards, Kaypros,
and North Stars. I am selling this version for $20, and the
purchaser can earn rights to all future releases free if he/she
suggests a feature exension/ fix that I implement.
I am also offering a lower price (34% off list) to anyone buying 10
per month, along with Net 30 days to qualified dealers. Otherwise, my
quoted price is cash including U.S. shipping; Visa/MC add 4%, COD add $6.00.
Of course, as a Tek employee I cannot sell directly to Tektronix, so
this is my price to employees (or anyone else). However, an outfit in
San Jose is making the modems available to Tek at comparable prices,
presently $419 for the Auto Dial 212A, $340 for the Password, S-100,
and Micro Link.
Response 9**********************************************************
The Vadic modem with more than its fair share of errors was the new
VA212PA. It's about an inch thick and is about 8 by 12 inches in the
other dimensions. It stores up to 15 (16?) numbers, can do auto-retry,
retry different number on failure, detects busy/ring/dial-tone call
progress signals, and has a LCD display to tell you what's going on. I
didn't have much trouble going to Vadic modems, a hit or two going to a
real 212, and lospecification to meet "demand". Then the
next product has even more "demand". DEMAND that your Password come
with a female connector. SOLVE your interfacing dilemma at the other
end of the connection where the real problem is. REFUSE to buy
equipment that claims to meet RS-232 but doesn't, and TELL the
manufacturer why.
<Flame off>
Thank you for your time
Response 11*********************************************************
I haven't yet seen the actual "Password", but I do have a few comments
about it's bigger brother, the Auto-Dial 212A.
The Auto-Dial 212A is advertised as Hayes compatible. That stretches
the point a little. Every one of these models that I have seen so far
defaults to having echo off, while the the Hayes defaults to having echo
on. If you are manually typing at it, and want to see what you are doing;
or if you are talking to it via a program that wants some assurance that
the modem is actually seeing the characters, you have to turn echo on
first.
Also, the meaning of the escape sequence (the "+++") is completely
different. In the Hayes, that just switches you back to command mode
(leaving the data connection open) so that you can change attributes
(like full duplex/half duplex) or hang up the phone. For USR, the
escape sequence just hangs up the phone. The Hayes command to hang up
the phone line is not implemented.
I also much prefer the Hayes manuals to the ones from USR.
Response 12*********************************************************
Since there seems to be a lot of interest in the USR modems
lately, I will add some more comments. The Password, S-100, & Auto Dial 212
are the same modem inside and use the same commands, which are
identical to Hayes Smartmodem. Yesterday I borrowed a Hayes 1200 manual
to compare. There are quite a few commands in the Hayes that USR chose not
to implement because they range from useless to questionable value.
The main difference lies in Hayes ability to control Command/data mode,
on/off hook, and carrier up/down independently. The only advantage I see is
if you are changing between data and voice communication with USR you
must pick up the phone before stopping the data link (Hayes can go to
command mode without dropping the line). Also if you are calling an originate
only modem (do such things still exist?) the Hayes can go into answer
mode after dialing, but with the USR you must pick up the phone, escape
to command mode, and say ATA to enter answer mode. It is not clear whether
this is actually slower than wading through Hayes 60 page manual, and it
sure doesn't seem like much for $140.
Some corrections to other comments... The +++ command to disconnect the
call requires a 1 second of no data guard band before and after in
both Hayes and USR. It can be changed to another character, including >127
(delete) which disables the command.
The USR modems have the lowest part count of any Bell 212 modem, and as a
result the highest reliability. They run a little warm because there
are 5 Intel chips inside! The Password lacks the status LED's,
analog loopback, and second RJ11C jack of the USR Auto Dial 212A, but
it comes in 6x4x1.2" plastic case with the RS-232 cable (your choice
of male or female) built in. The lowest price available on the Password
and S100 is $350 from me. The Auto Dial with the metal case is $425.
End of modem response************************************************
542
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From: ed@unisoft.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards
Subject: Re: The Xerox 2700 laser printer - (nf)
Message-ID: <150@unisoft.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 3-Oct-83 15:01:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: unisoft.150
Posted: Mon Oct 3 15:01:37 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Oct-83 03:05:13 EDT
References: uiucdcs.3029
Lines: 4
Yet another vote for a connection to laser-lovers
Ed Gould
ucbvax!mtxinu!ed
2165
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From: ricks@tekcad.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.ai
Subject: Re: Conference Announcement - (nf)
Message-ID: <66@tekcad.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 4-Oct-83 22:25:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekcad.66
Posted: Tue Oct 4 22:25:13 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Oct-83 03:05:23 EDT
Sender: ricks@tekcad.UUCP
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
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#R:sri-arpa:-1215400:tekcad:22400002:000:1547
tekcad!franka Oct 4 09:11:00 1983
> **************** CONFERENCE ****************
>
> "Intelligent Systems and Machines"
>
> Oakland University, Rochester Michigan
>
> April 24-25, 1984
>
> *********************************************
>
>AUTHORS PLEASE NOTE: A Public Release/Sensitivity Approval is necessary.
>Authors from DOD, DOD contractors, and individuals whose work is government
>funded must have their papers reviewed for public release and more
>importantly sensitivity (i.e. an operations security review for sensitive
>unclassified material) by the security office of their sponsoring agency.
Another example of so called "scientists" bowing to governmental
pressure to let them decide if the paper you want to publish is OK to
publish. I think that this type of activity is reprehensible and as con-
cerned scientists we should do everything in our power to stop this cen-
sorship of research. I urge everyone to boycott this conference and any
others like it which REQUIRE a Public Release/Sensitivty Approval (funny
how the government tries to make censorship palatible with different words,
isn't it). If we don't stop this now, we may be passing every bit of research
we do under the nose of beaureucrats who don't know an expert system from
an accounting package and who have the power to stop publication of anything
they consider dangerous.
I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to
take it anymore!!!!
Frank Adrian
(teklabs!tekcad!franka)
806
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From: wombat@uicsl.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Re: various - (nf)
Message-ID: <3118@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 5-Oct-83 05:41:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.3118
Posted: Wed Oct 5 05:41:38 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Oct-83 03:05:30 EDT
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#R:decwrl:-340100:uicsl:7600028:000:328
uicsl!wombat Oct 5 00:15:00 1983
***** uicsl:net.movies / decwrl!daemon / 12:53 pm Oct 3, 1983
From: Ed Featherston HL01-1/P06 225-5241 <roll::featherston>
>From : EIFFEL::BLICKSTEIN
Re: Dark Star
Dark Star was made by John Carpenter (the Fog, Halloween I) and Dan O'Bannon
(Alien) who also played Pinhead.
----------
That's Pinback, not Pinhead.
Wombat
1429
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From: wombat@uicsl.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: Re: Changing names after marriage - (nf)
Message-ID: <3119@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 5-Oct-83 05:43:54 EDT
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.3119
Posted: Wed Oct 5 05:43:54 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Oct-83 03:05:40 EDT
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#R:achilles:-62600:uicsl:16400026:000:926
uicsl!wombat Oct 5 00:44:00 1983
***** uicsl:net.women / ihuxs!engels / 12:34 pm Oct 3, 198