W8SDZ@SIMTEL20.arpa (Keith Petersen) (09/10/86)
I just received the following file from Steve Sanders on my RCP/M:
--cut here--2400$299.MDM--cut here--
Best Deal Yet for 2400 Baud
Basic Time 2400 baud modems ------------>>> $ 2 9 9 . 0 0
Auto-Dial Auto-Answer
Either internal (IBM-PC) or external standalone type modems, fully Hayes
dial compatible and 2400/1200/600/300/110 bps capable conforming to the
CCITT V.22/V.22 bis and Bell 212A standards. Automatic adaptive equal-
ization which adjusts to telephone lines and decreases error rate.
Internal modem uses only a 1/2 slot on the IBM-PC and gives you an
external RS-232C port. Comes with PC-Talk III software on disk.
External version has 8 LED indicators and a snap hatch front for easy
access to DIP switches. External version is also asynch or synchronous
capable. Tough plastic case. Modem cable req'd for external modems.
Both modems are supplied with modular phone cords.
>>> Full 30-day money-back guarantee if not satisfied <<<
QUBIE
570 Calle San Pablo
Camarillo, Calif 93010
1-800-821-4479 Visa/ Master Card
+++++++++++++++++++
Addt'l comments 08/08/86
I now have one of the Basic Time 2400 modems, I placed an order
for it on a Monday and rec'd the modem on Thursday ($5 extra for
UPS Blue Label service.) As you know, I already have 2 Courier
2400 modems and have been 100% satisfied with them, but I wanted
to try one of the BT modems - the price looked to good to be true.
The BT2400E (external RS-232C version) is housed in a slimline
plastic enclosure with 8 LEDs on the front and NO hardware DIP
switches - all configuration is done via software. I was a little
bothered by the lack of the familiar DIP switches until I found
out how easy the modem is to software program - now I don't
miss the DIP switches at all! The BT2400E modem has more features
than the Couriers (did I say that!) and at a savings of around
$75 - latest mail order price on Courier is $375.00
I have been giving the BT2400E a real work-out the last 3 or
4 days and am happy to report that it works fine at 1200 or 2400
baud to all the systems I have called. The modem appears to have
good filtering as I have not experienced any more line noise than
I do with the Couriers. I am using the modem with PibTerm and
ProComm modem programs for the IBM-PC and it's a perfect match.
The only thing you need do is issue an intialization string when
the modem is first brought online. The default settings have
the DTR and DCD lines ALWAYS HIGH - so for normal modem mode
you need to issue the following string:
AT &D2 &S1 &C1 &W <return>
This command tells the modem to respond normally to the flow
control on the DTR line and DCD line and then stores this data
internally in its non-volatile memory. Configuring a modem via
software is much simpler than changing DIP switches which usually
entails pulling off a faceplate to access the switches.
All in all, I give the BT2400E modem 5 stars out of a possible
5 stars. The price is great, the delivery is quick, the modem
performs 100% and seems to be very compatible with most other
2400 baud modems, and the supplier (QUBIE) stands behind the
product with a 30-day money back guarantee of satisfaction.
How could you lose on a deal like this - you have 30 days to
try it and see if it meets your needs.
Steve Sanders - DataCOM Systems
(813) 791-1454 modem 300/1200/2400
{eof}wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew) (09/13/86)
I was running my terminal at home with a Qubie external 300/1200 bps modem for a while. The Qubie scored very well in Hayes compatibility, but not very well in long term reliability. Dealing with Qubie via US mail was never too effective. But a phone call usually elicited a response in a few days. Quite the opposite of what I would have expected. They originally lost my order, but shipped over-night once I called them demanding to know where the heck my purchase was. The service department was equally problematic, requiring a call every few days to remind them that they had my modem. Once prodded, the service dept. was also prompt. The modem I had came in a gold aluminum box; I notice that the ads of recent in Byte now picture the beast in a different case, so perhaps the circuitry inside has improved. The problem in the modems (3 in all) that I had from Qubie seemd to be the 3 relays that were used to connect it to the fone line. Their operation would become erratic, then eventually cease altogether. It was the circuitry driving them rather than the relays themselves that seemed to fail. The first modem I got lasted about a year, the second one about 4 days, and the last one just over a month. When it worked, the Qubie functioned pretty nicely. Perhaps, it was just a little more affected by noise than some. Finally, I gave up and replaced that modem with an anchor automation cheepie. The Anchor has been working quite well for about 6 months now. I peeked inside and saw that the Anchor was much less complicated and only sported a single relay inside. If the Anchor 2400 bps modem were as nice as the 1200, I'd be willing to recommend it; the only thing is that success of one product line seems to say little about another product line from the same manufacturer these days, especially when modems are concerned. --Bill
ddb@starfire.UUCP (David Dyer-Bennet) (10/08/86)
Your description of the additional commands to configure the BT2400E modem for sane CD and DTR settings struck a memory -- the same commands exist in my Intelex 2400 modem, by Ampro here in Minneapolis (since when is Ampro in Minneapolis? Well, that's what it says on the box and the warranty card). According to the bottom of the modem, it's manufactured by CTS. Anyway, mine works fine. They are available locally for around $240, which makes it a new low in my experience. -- David Dyer-Bennet Usenet: ...ihnp4!umn-cs!starfire!ddb Fido: sysop of fido 14/341, (612) 721-8967 Telephone: (612) 721-8800 USmail: 4242 Minnehaha Ave S Mpls, MN 55406