indra@utai.UUCP (Long John Silver) (08/29/84)
Path : ..!utzoo!utcsrgv!utai!indra
Quite a few people requested that I summarize the replies to the modem
request. So, here goes:
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From utcsrgv!sask!derek Tue Aug 28 00:55:47 1984
The Signalman Mark XII cannot send a break in spite of mail you
may receive to the contrary. We have a unit and I tested it.
If you do not believe me, get one on loan first.
Second, the sex of the plug is wrong. It is supposed to be
female but is male.
We are buying several in spite of these two flaws.
Derek Andrew, ACS, U of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Canada, S7N 0W0
{ihnp4 | utah-cs | utcsrgv | alberta}!sask!derek 306-343-2638 0900-1630 CST
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From utcsrgv!utzoo!hcrvax!hugh Tue Aug 28 02:57:20 1984
I too am interested in 1200 baud modems. The net concensus seems to be
that the USR password is more reliable than the Anchor Signalman XII.
I have borrowed a XII and used it a very little. This weekend I tried
to phone watmath & had lots of trouble; it could have been a bad line
(but I tried twice) or a bad modem at the other end (but I tried two
lines -- unless the two phone numbers were mapped to the same modem).
I have had no trouble phoning from home (North York) to HCR.
Some XIIs have two design flaws:
- when the computer drops the DTR line, the modem should, but does not,
drop the phone line
- there is no way to transmit "break" (not used much in UNIX, but important
for some other systems)
The rumour is that new XIIs fix at least the second problem, but that
old ones are still being shipped.
The only local place that I know sells passwords is RCPM. They had a sale
a few months ago: $500! US prices seem to be just over $300.
Some people at York claim to be about to have a $180 1200 baud modem!
Tell me what you find out.
-- Hugh Redelmeier 968-7123
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From utcsrgv!ihnp4!ucbvax!JFORREST@SIMTEL20.ARPA Tue Aug 28 13:22:50 1984
I purchased an Anchor Mark XII, for use as a modem for my RBBS/RCPM and
was extremely disappointed. It would not properly raise DTR at 300,
would not send a break and for many, many users it totally garbaged
them. For some users, I must admit, it was as good as a Hayes. When I
used it to upload/download I consistently got line trash to the extent
it was almost useless for me. I thought the problems might be line
related, but when the Hayes SM1200 came in, there were no more
problems. An acquaintance had decided to buy one, but was lucky enough
to borrow one a couple of weeks. He then immediately bought a Hayes.
Jim
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From utcsrgv!ihnp4!ihu1g!eabr Tue Aug 28 19:55:50 1984
I have recently purchased the ANchorman Signal Mark XII modem for use with my Sanyo MBC 555 running under MSDOS 2.11.
However, I have not use it on the machine yet, 'cause I'm trying to track down a good terminal emulation program for the Sanyo.
I have acquire public domain programs for the IBMPC with the intention of modifying them to work on the Sanyo(SIMTERM.COM & ADM.COM).
I have briefly used the Mark XII on my vintage RS MOD I.
The only problem noted was the inability to transmit `BREAK`.
I guess its broken!!!.
Like the Sanyo, I think its a great buy (most other 1200 baud modems are going for over 300).
I bought mine for $250.
I have seen it advertised for $230 (Computer Shopper Magazine).
Happy Modeming!!!!
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From utcsrgv!ihnp4!ucbvax!CHRIS%ECLD.#ECLnet@USC-ECL.ARPA Tue Aug 28 21:55:44 1984
I purchased a Mark XII about six or more months ago. The first one I
received had a problem, and I had to send it back (under warranty)
because every several seconds I would seem to receive a "~r". The
replacement (actually I think they only replaced a chip) has worked
fine for many months.
The only real gripe I have is that it won't send a break signal. Our
Micom MicroPort Selector uses the break to disconnect from a system
when there is a problem, and this recourse is not open; we must hang
up and redial. The Hayes-like commands seem pretty Hayes-like, except
that "Dial tone" and "Busy" are detected and echoed, confusing some
modem programs.
All in all, I am glad I bought it, especially because it saved me >$150
over a Hayes.
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From utcsrgv!utzoo!watmath!clyde!infopro!david Wed Aug 29 01:58:03 1984
Dear Indra,
1. The early model cannot transmit break. Make sure yours was manufactured
after April.
2. It does not support the modem signals that let the computer know when
you have logged off. If you are set up for unattended operation:
a. if dialing out, you could get huge phone bills.
b. if accepting incoming calls, some hacker could get into your system if
soeone else has hung up without logging off.
3. it works just fine as far as noise, dialing , etc.
if 1 or 2 is important to you, get a hayes. the usr modem really stinks.
"I'm about to get killed a million miles from nowhere
and some gung-ho iguana tells me to `Relax`!"
Dave Fiedler
{harpo,astrovax,philabs,whuxcc,clyde}!infopro!dave
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From utcsrgv!ihnp4!inmet!muller Wed Aug 29 14:18:57 1984
Received: by utai.UUCP (4.24/4.7)
id AA27503; Wed, 29 Aug 84 14:18:48 edt
Has anyone purchased a MARK XII Modem from Signalman?
This is a 300/1200 baud modem with 'Hayes Command Structure'
and lists for US$259 or less.
I am thinking of acquiring one soon for my sanyo 555 running
msdos 2.11. Please send rumours, flames and anything related to
the above modem before I make a mistake.
..!utzoo!utcsrgv!utai!indra
( Indra Laksono @ U of T )
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hello. jim muller. I tried a MK XII on my Apple //e, but had
problems with NOISE. Apparantly there was some impedance problem or
something, or maybe insufficient filtering. I even tried one that
was currently in use by the company that wrote my terminal software,
but it still wouldn't work on my phone. I switched to a used USRobotics
212A modem, and my problems went away. There was no way I could have
known about this problem before trying it. jim m.
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To summarize, I think I'll try to borrow one before
I make up my mind.
:-( ..!utcsrgv!utai!indra.
Indra Laksono @ U of T