Xref: utzoo comp.dcom.modems:4144 misc.wanted:5561
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!cwjcc!neoucom!wtm
From: wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems,misc.wanted
Subject: Re: Source for modem switchhook relay needed
Summary: seems like a high failure rate to me
Message-ID: <1683@neoucom.UUCP>
Date: 14 Jul 89 14:38:43 GMT
References: <718@argon.UUCP+ <8907130555.AA03531@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu>
Organization: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Lines: 42

In reference to the text below, two out of the three modems cited have had
problems with the switch hook realy.  That seems like a rather high failure
rate to me.  Curiously, the only failures on the approximately 50 modems in
use here have been electronic parts, and not the relays.  We've had three
dead in the last 4 years:  two rack mounted Ven-tel and a Hayes.

We have quite a few internally mounted IBM-PC-compatible modems.  I only
recall one faiure there, which was in an Everex 2400 baud modem which had a
bad 4053 cmos analog switch -- that was an interesting problem, as the
swtich failed such that the modem would pass the analog loopback test, but
would not actually connect the transmitter tone to the line audio driver.

The 'you get what you pay for' rule definitely applies to under-$100
modems, especially the 2400 baud ones.  I've heard quite a few sob stories
about line noise and/or failures from our users who've bought el-cheapo
modems for their home PCs.  It's worth the extra $30-$40 to buy a
name-brand modem from a place where you can easily take it back if you have
problems.

I like the Trailblazer Plus modem that I have.  Not only is the modem quite
useful, but also quite entertaining to see people's reactions when they are
told that the Trailblazer itself costs about as much as their entire
PC-clone system.  Some people just don't understand what it is like to be
an infomanic;  Phil Donnahue needs to do a show about us.

Bill
wtm@impulse.UUCP   or   wtm@neoucom.UUCP


In article <8907130555.AA03531@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu>, ab4@CUNIXB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Andrew Boardman) writes:
+ 
+ Yup.  Disassembly and cleaning of the relay has done the trick for me.  (Same
+ modem, same problem.)  This is in fact one of the most common problems I've
+ seen with *any* modem that gets a lot of use.
+ 
+ >(BTW, if you're looking for a dirt cheap Hayes-compatible non-MNP 2400bps
+ >modem, I'd recommend this one.
+ 
+ I also.  The company, Best Data Products, actually was knowledgable and
+ helpful when I gave them a call about another problem, too!  (Also has a
+ 2 year warranty -- for a modem that retails for $109, what else do you want?)
+