Anybody remember Bunker Ramo? Still have one of their two-shoebox-sized
modems somewhere...
On Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 8:28 PM Rick Bensene via cctalk <
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
Vadic had a variant 1200 baud system that
wasn't compatible with 212,
too, as I recall.
Yup, they did. Can't remember the model number, but I used one of these
to dial-in to work way back then with a Tektronix 4010 DVST graphics
terminal. Having 1200 baud that worked really well over phone lines at a
time when most people with home computers were getting by with 110 or at
most 300 baud we great. But, it only worked at 1200 baud connecting to
work. Connecting to BBS's and such maxed out at 300 baud. At least it
was backwards compatible that way. If I remember correctly, it was about
12 inches deep, about 2 inches tall, and perhaps 8 inches wide, and the
front panel had a bunch of LEDs that indicated all of the normal RS232
signaling lines (CD, CTS, DSR, RTS, DTR, RX and TX) along with a few that
showed the speed (110, 300, or 1200) that it was operating at. The
"screech" it made when connecting up at 1200 baud was very unique
sounding. Much more harsh than 103 FSK signaling, but nothing nearly as
complex as the training that went on when modems started getting up to 9600
baud.
I remember having my first Telebit Trailblazer 9600 baud modem. Reliable
9600 baud over voice-grade POTS lines. They were very remarkable devices
for their time. I used it on my home Unix system way back when for UUCP
connections (for email and USENET) to a number of local UUCP hubs. The
training tones for it were pretty crazy sounding, very unique.
I feel old.
-Rick