ml@houxd.UUCP (09/21/83)
Thanks to all who responded to my inquiries about the Rixon R212A modem. Following is a summary of the responses I received, (4 comments, 3 requests for summaries), as well as my own comments based on one week's worth of testing in the lab: PACKAGING: Small package, about the size of a WE 212A, but 2/3 the thickness. Also, the transformer is small (about the same size as that of the WE212A, and nowhere near as **large** as the VENTEL transformer. There are NO pushbuttons, and NO led's. Some of the features provided by the pushbuttons are available in software, for example AL and DL. For certain applications, the lack of LED's will not be a problem, although admittedly, it is nice to have them for debugging. FEATURES: The following were important to me, and I checked them all out: Drop Carrier Detect on Hangup: software settable. The DCD pin is actually tied to CTS. Combined pulse and tone dialing on the same number. Auto-dial with multiple redials. 10 different numbers, can be "linked" to provide a sort of "hunt-group" feature. Programmable disconnect string to exit data mode back to the mode where you talk to the modem itself. Pause and wait for secondary dial-tone (Wait for secondary dial-tone worked so-so, but then again, this has always been a problem for auto-dialers) HAYES software compatibility mode: untested by me. Auto-speed select: the modem senses at what speed you are talking to it and sets its speed accordingly. BUGS: On power-up, DCD and CTS come up high. This could be a problem if you are in an environment with constant power failures, or if you must move the modems frequently. This is only important if you plan to use the capability to detect hangups with the DCD pin. Easy to wake up the modems; two CR's is all that is required. This could cause the modems to be woken up by accident. RELIABILITY: good (but not much combined experience). Although one of the respondents complained that the modem performed poorly on long connections, I placed several long (~3000 mi) connections and did not experience unusual noise problems. TRUTH IN ADVERTISEMENT: very good. DOCUMENTATION: poor; misleading sometimes, or totally wrong. Rixon is supposedly aware of the problem, and working on it. In fact, the documentation that I saw (8/15/83) seemed OK, with a few errors, but I have no way of knowing how it compares with earlier documentation. COST: This modem is priced in the $400 - $500 range, making it very competitive. Any comments, etc., please mail to M. Lampell BTL HO 3K-502 x6051 ....ihnp4!houxd!ml