alt@ecsvax.UUCP (05/09/84)
Recently I purchased a Volksmodem for light-duty use at home.
The price was right ($59) and I liked the fact that it used a
9V battery for power. Another nice feature is that I can plug
my phone into the modem and as long as the Volksmodem is switched
to the talk position everything is transparent i.e. I can use
the phone as if the modem wasn't even there.
Everything went along smoothly until one Sunday morning a light-
ning bolt struck beside the house. I have surge protectors on most
of my equipment and other than a couple of blown light bulbs I thought
I came through this heavenly shock unscathed. (My next-door neighbor
was not so lucky;he lost his VCR.) Unfortunately, the next time I
tried to use the Volksmodem all it would produce was a plaintive
moaning sound. My best guess is that a surge was induced through
the phone lines by the electrical storm.
What if anything can be done to protect a Volksmodem from surges
received via the phone line?
Larry Taylor
ecsvax!altABN.ISCAMS@USC-ISID.ARPA (05/13/84)
I have the same need -- had a lovely Racal Vadic 300/1200 that got blown away -- and my phone lines run underground! Never realized a surge would reach the lines there, but sure did a job! Replaced two obviously damaged components on the board, but still won't work. Hopefully the suggested protection devices will cost less than the modem?? David Kirschbaum Toad Hall
mmr@utmbvax.UUCP (Mike Rubenstein) (05/14/84)
In response to questions on modem protection: I'm using a "Kleen Line Security PDS-11/SFK" from Electronic Specialists, Inc. 171 South Main Street Natick MA 01760 If I remember correctly, I paid about $70 for it. I have no idea if this thing actually does anything. One of the problems with this type of protective device is that if it works, you see nothing. For what it's worth, I've not lost a modem to surges since putting it in. (But then, I never lost one before putting it in either.) -- Mike Rubenstein, OACB, UT Medical Branch, Galveston TX 77550