Grex Micros Conference

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Grex Micros Item 141: Mac and the 14.4 modem
Entered by omni on Tue Dec 19 06:12:44 UTC 1995:

   

   I am considering the purchase of a 14.4 bps modem in the near future. I
have been informed that a Mac Plus cannot handle any speed above 2400. I don't
want to make an erroneous purchase, so can someone please give me an assurance
that this is not the case, because 2400 is getting to be annoying, and I'd
like to move into the 1990's. ;)

thanks

17 responses total.

#1 of 17 by n8nxf on Tue Dec 19 15:22:57 1995:

Bunk!  The Plus has the two hardware lines required to support hardware
handshaking.  The 512 and 128 only had one.  Make sure you get a modem
cable that supports both hardware lines though!  Some don't.  I use mine
at 14.4 without trouble.

#2 of 17 by rcurl on Tue Dec 19 18:16:39 1995:

Its called a "high speed" modem cable.

#3 of 17 by scg on Wed Dec 20 07:08:10 1995:

Hmm.  I've been having trouble getting my Newton to talk to a 14.4 modem that
I borrowed from my dad (the Newton uses Mac serial ports).  I wonder if that
would be related to the Mac modem cable I bought for it.  It can get the modem
to dial, but once connected I can't get it to do anything.

#4 of 17 by rcurl on Wed Dec 20 07:24:34 1995:

That's probably it. I'm commissioned to order one for omni - want to
join the parade? $8+t/sh(are).

#5 of 17 by scott on Wed Dec 20 12:04:01 1995:

Newtons are notoriously fussy about what modem they will talk too.

#6 of 17 by scg on Sat Dec 23 07:23:13 1995:

Yeah, I know.  This was a Zoom modem, not an Apple, so I think it may be the
modem as well.  Is there a way to get the Newton to talk to it even though
it isn't an Apple?

#7 of 17 by scott on Sat Dec 23 12:06:03 1995:

My approach is to write scripts in my terminal software to do the dialing,
not using the Newton support.  Doesn't help when I want to fax, thuogh.  You
might want to play with your AT settings... maybe get as connected as you can
with a PC, then hang up and read your modem settings with AT&V.  Then either
make those powerup default, or else write them into your dialog with your
Newton.

#8 of 17 by omni on Wed Dec 27 17:05:27 1995:

  So what is the best modem as in brand, features?? What should I look for?

#9 of 17 by alan on Sat Dec 30 17:10:09 1995:

14.4 or 28.8. All will have hardware handshaking which should work with your
plus you could send them a note at lynx http://www.supra.com to find out. 
The supra has a flash rom capability in teh more expensive version. So  do
others. You need to talk to a modem maker to find out how much capability your
computer can utilize. 14.4 non flash rom are now less than $100. and flash rom
is pretty much for evolving technology. the 14.4 is already solid. try http
://www.usr.com for us robotics.

#10 of 17 by alan on Sat Dec 30 17:25:03 1995:

Hayes accura 14.4 fax modem definately plus compatable belongs to a 
friend of mine. A good one this modem for $80. firm. such a deal!

#11 of 17 by rcurl on Fri Mar 21 21:38:39 1997:

I bought a 'surplus' "GlobalSwitch" - a device for using a modem on a
digital or PBX (etc) phone system. It goes between the handset and the
phone base, and one's modem plugs into it. I don't have a Global modem,
however, so have tried it my Mac PowerBook and Supra 144LC, on a Meridian
'Voice Mail' (UM) system that uses ComDial phones. Well, I couldn't dial
Grex with it, using just manual dialing from my Mac: it did not dial
through.  I pre-dialed on the phone, and then tried to connect, and it did
give me a CONNECT, but nothing after that. Can anyone shed any light on
where the problems might be, and suggest a trick to fool the GlobalSwitch
into thinking a Supra is a Global (if that is the problem....)?

#12 of 17 by arthurp on Sun Mar 23 03:40:59 1997:

You might get past the dialing thing by telling it atx3dt-----.  The x3 tells
it to ignore the absence of dialtone.  I use that at work when testing modems
that can't hear the dialtone on our pbx.  Beyond that you may get too much
interferrance from the pbx signals to keep carrier.  I usually get dropped
if the phone rings, or someone pages, or someone tries to call out, or....

#13 of 17 by rcurl on Sun Mar 23 04:05:32 1997:

I tried atx1dt, per GolbalSwitch instructions (x3 for the supra just
detects BUSY). Dialed, but it did not get ringing from Grex - just a pause
and then a busy tone (but Grex wasn't busy). I suspect this gadget talks
to the Global modem, or vica versa, in a language Supra does not
understand. Is this likely/possible? There is a "Setting" switch on the
Switch, with positions 1 to 4, and it is supposed to change how loud the
dialtone is on the telephone handset, but it doesn't. It may be that this
telephone base is just incompatible (they provide a long list of Settings
for different phones, and several are noted as "may require custom factory
setting", or "not campitable", or "nonstandard handset wiring" - the
Comdial is listed as compatible, but maybe not *this* Comdial in this
PBX). I'll try it on standard phone, and maybe on a different PBX.  There
is still some utility in being able to put the modem on a set when it is
permanently wired into the wall.

#14 of 17 by arthurp on Sun Mar 23 05:03:52 1997:

The busy thing sounds like you're hitting an internal number that's not valid.
9 to get out?  Did you try 9,#######?  The comma pause is needed where I work.
Sometimes I even use 2 commas.

#15 of 17 by rcurl on Mon Mar 24 05:57:42 1997:

Yes, I used 9! With and without comma - same result. I can hand dial as
fast as I can, and the 9 connects outside, but no outside dialtone is
heard (I've always thought that was interesting).

#16 of 17 by scott on Mon Mar 24 12:08:46 1997:

Most modems have a setting (in the 'S' registers) that control how long a
comma pauses the dialing.

#17 of 17 by arthurp on Tue Apr 1 06:40:13 1997:

Odd.

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