Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!rutgers!ucla-cs!sdcrdcf!usc-oberon!bacall!papa
From: papa@bacall.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga,comp.periphs
Subject: Re: Zipper 2400 modem woes
Message-ID: <2264@bacall.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 27-Jan-87 00:24:27 EST
Article-I.D.: bacall.2264
Posted: Tue Jan 27 00:24:27 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 30-Jan-87 04:52:54 EST
References: <1639@uwmcsd1.UUCP>
Organization: CS&CE Depts, U.S.C., Los Angeles, CA
Lines: 55
Xref: watmath comp.sys.amiga:1761 comp.periphs:156

Dave Rasmussen writes:
> 
> I receieved my order of a Zipper 2400 modem from Priority One yesterday.
> The Zipper is a relabeled Prometheous 2400G for $299.
> 
> I notice alot of noise, and especially noticed when in mail a ~r
> appeared and caused an error, and couldn't help but make me think
> about whether I was really safe using it while doing sensitive
> commands.

The ~r or ~{ is definetely noise. It could be the line or the sensitivity
of the modem (or both).

> 
> Of course I could have had a bad line and will further test it. Anyone else
> have anything to say about these suckers?
> 
> The other thing is I'm using a normal 3 (or 4?) wire serial cable. Is there
> any reason to get any kind of special cable for the amiga?

The only important thing is that you do NOT connect some of the pins
that have power (pins 14, 21 and 23), or you might fry your modem.  
Usually connecting pins 2,3,5,5,6,7,8 and 20 straight through works.
Many times the 3 pin arrangement (2,3,7) also works.  If the software
looks for CD (Carrier Detect) you must have pin 8 connected and set your
modem such that it asserts CD when REALLY carrier has been detected (I
believe Online needs this; in A-Talk it is user selectable)
 
> Are there any better modems around at a reasonable price that are more
> reliable?
> 

I recently bought the BT2400ES External Hayes-compatible 2400 baud modem
from QUBIE'.  You might have seen their ads in PC Magazine and other PC
publications.  The price was great: $239! I have tested the Prometheus,
The Zipper and they seem very unreliable compared to the Qubie'.  I have owned
a 1200 baud external modem also from Qubie for about 3 years now (I paid
$329 at the time, sigh), and I have NEVER had any problem with Comm programs
running on either IBM PCs or the Amiga.  The BT2400ES seems to be TOTALLY
compatible with the Hayes 2400 baud modem (both in synchronous and 
Asynchronous mode).  In fact, it seems that lines are actually BETTER at
2400 baud than at 1200 (I guess the modulation type is more advanced).

All in all I am very satisfied customer.  You can get the Qubie' from:

Qubie'
507 Calle San Paolo
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805)987-9741

They also have an 800 toll free number, but I don't have it handy. Look in
any issue of PC Magazine for it.

-- Marco Papa
   Felsina Software