v056pxb4@ubvmsa.cc.buffalo.edu (John P Weiksnar) (03/24/91)
Before you order your Damark 2400 line-powered modem for $75.99, READ THIS: The made-in-Singapore TT ComCall modem is, as advertised, great for laptops--it's tiny, and light, and "minimal." HOWEVER, after using it online for only 5 MINUTES, a call waiting call intruded (In haste, I neglected to disable call waiting for that call). The modem STOPPED WORKING THEREAFTER. Specifically, every attempt to "ATDT" resulted in the ominous NO DIALTONE message. All my cables were sound, and nothing else had changed since the original call I placed. The tiny, Xeroxed instructions (originally done on a Mac, from what I can gather!) did show all commands for setting/verifying registers in the non-volatile RAM. In that regard, the modem isn't all bad--it even has room for 2 or 3 preset configurations on power-up, and 3 telephone number memories. Inside the modem is an astonishing amount of SM technology--and even a hidden LED which lights when it's online. BTW: I know for a fact that the modem was indeed grabbing the phone line to dial out after call waiting killed it: there's an "Line in Use" light on another phone on the same extension. Also, shorting-out the RJ-11 fingers (to force a "hard reset," in case one of the caps was powering it after the mishap) was also ineffective in getting it to acknowledge the dialtone. I had even reset the registers to "FACTORY" preset conditions. So WATCH OUT if you have call waiting!! --------------------------------------- John P. Weiksnar v056pxb4@ubvmsa.cc.buffalo.edu
rrd@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Ray Depew) (05/29/91)
Thanks to Zack and Yan for their replies, and to George Hadden for the email. There seems to be quite a variety of experience (good, bad, in-between) with the ComCall modem. If they truly are sold out, then I guess my decision is already made for me. Can we expand this into a discussion on *all* pocket modems? It seems to me that, for about US$100, one can choose from several different ones. Some suck power from the host computer (no! not my 95LX! auuggghhhh!), some from the phone line, and some require an external "kick" from a 9V battery or transformer. Which ones work best? Has anybody tried the Hayes 2400bps one? (sale price $129 in Denver over Memorial Day...) Regards Ray Depew HP ICBD -- IC's by Bill and Dave rrd@hpfitst1.hp.com