From: temple@ucbeh.san.uc.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: supra fax modem
Date: 26 Jul 92 15:37:53 EST
Distribution: world
Organization: Univ. of Cincinnati

In article <mills.712108677@dialup.athena.lkg.dec.com>, mills@athena.lkg.dec.com (George Mills) writes:
>>Greetings-
> 
>>I also have the FAXmodem V.32bis and I do have the fax software.  Although I
>>haven't sent out too many faxes, it seems to work ok.  Z-modem file transfers
>>BTW, go at about 1500-1700 bytes per second, on already compressed, binhexed
>>files.  (Usually >1600, though)  I have, however, had lots of trouble
>>with long distance transfers- probably the greatest source of complaints for
>>this type/speed of modem.  (Good thing most of my transfers are local :)
> 
>>btd
> 
> Can you give more details about not working at hi-speed long distance.
> If we can't reliably get 9600 what are we paying $309.00 for?
> I know good modems are $700.00+/-, are all $300.00+/- equal?
> 
> I just bought one of these things (Supra v32.bis external) and am getting
> extremely disgusted with it.
> 
> First I brought it to work with me to test the FAX because a real
> FAX machine was just a few offices away. I bought it with WinFAX.
> I admittedly did not read the manuals and needless to say I could not
> send a FAX. Then later (read some of the manuals) and found out that
> oh, by the way, that software you payed extra for that works with most other
> modems doesn't work. You have "pay" for a long distance BBS connect to get
> the stuff that works :-). Isn't that nice.
> 
> No problem, I'll just "long distance" dialin with my New Hi-speed modem
> and get it. Wrong :-(. I have gone through all the different trouble
> shooting hints. The only thing that I can get this thing to do so far
> is work like my cheapo 2400baud internal that I sold for $20.00 !!!!
> 
> I take that back. I did once connect at 9600 with no compression
> to a another modem that was very close. Now I am 150 miles away from the same
> modem and I cannot connect. I must of spent $25.00 in attempts. Grrrr.
> 
> Using the supplied cable on a 24 serial port I did manage the 9600 connect.
> 
> 150 miles away on another system,cable, and 9 pin serial port I can only do
> 2400 with no mnp. Can it still be the cable,24-9 pin adapter, IRQ conflict
> or whatever. I've been assuming hookup is ok since 2400baud works.
> 
> Still I've told the modem to not connect at above 4800baud and it still
> connected at 9600.
> 
> The symptom is that is sounds like it negotiated ok and then when the speaker
> cuts out I get tons of garbage onto the screen no-stop.
> 
> I have 3 modems and all connect to a 2400 baud line 150miles away.
> None of the 3 modems will connect at any speed to the Supra BBS.
> The supra will not connect 150 miles away to a 9600 line.
> I like the package and the documentation is good but have yet
> to get what I thought I paid for.
> 
> Damn, my wife wants to send a Micro-Soft word 20 page document to her work.
> Sure hard to explain a near $350.00 charge bill and I have to tell
> her that she will have to fedx her document.



Your major complaint about the Supra Fax part is software, not 
hardware. I certainly wouldn't want my modem judged by its 
performance with PC, Windows no less, software.
	As I call only local High-speed modems, my New Supra v.32bis 
works beautifully.  I have noticed that Supra wants Mac users to 
disable DTR hangups (why, I don't know), and this has caused problems 
hanging up with a couple PC boards.  However, Mac boards (and all 
2400 bps boards, PC and Mac), I connect at the right speed.
	I have gotten 1720 cps max on compressed files (to be honest, it 
usually drops down to 1605 cps or so).
	Nevertheless, I await the ROM upgrade in August (it got moved up).
Still, I LIKE it alot.

				Jon
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware