From: eoahmad@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg (Othman Ahmad)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: modems for BBS
Date: 1 Oct 92 14:18:58 GMT
Organization: Nanyang Technological University - Singapore
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4

Azmi asked me to give some info on the modems that can be used in 
Malaysia in setting up a BBS.
	I've used some modems bought in Malaysia but never used it for BBS.
However I can try to start a discussion so that others who may be more 
knowledgeable can contribute.

I'm currently using a 2400 bps hayes compatible external modem with MNP 5.
In Singapore the minimum speed is this one because it is the cheapest
costing S$90 for internal and $180 for external.

If you want to set up a modem, you are the master, you can use any system or
speed you want but you must inform the users about your modem speeds and
protocols.
	In Singapore, I believe the most common speed is 9600 especially whne
it costs $600 now for the external version.
	I read in Clarinet that there are versions for 38400 by Trailblazer
costing US$300 by mail order. Of course, to be able to use at that speed the
user must have the same brand modem.
	Make sure the modem also supports 2400 as well.
Potential operational problems are the signalling protocols for telephones.
Most modems should be programmable, especially those for export.

For dialing, the tone or MF, should be standard and most telephones except the
old ones should be able to support it.
	The older ones may require decadic, pulse, mode. My modem can be set
for the USA 39:61 make:break ration or UK 33:67. You usually do not have to
be accurate in setting the make:break ration. We can dial out by tapping on
the hooks because the tolerance can be high. Malaysia should use the UK 
system.
	For the type of dialing tone, the newer exchanges should be using the
CCITT standard. I'm not sure about US system. Malaysia used to use slightly
different tones but we have standardised all the exchanges. US should follow
international standard as well.
	Dialing tone is a continuous tone so modems need not be frequency
sensitive unless it is a dump one.
	The engaged/busy tone is a discontinuous tone but the period is more
constant. ringing tone is also discontinuous tone but with different 
frequency and emulates a real ringing rhythm. You can hear the ringing tone
if you can Malaysia. The busy tone is generated by your local exchange.

Another operational problem is that it is illegal to import modems which 
are not type-approved. The procedure for type approval includes the giving of
one sample permanently to the tester. 
	I believe the tester is Jabatan Telekom, not Telekom Malaysia.
	If you decide to go legal, you have to pay a lot more money,
$60 instead of $17, I believe, but not sure.

If you want your BBS to be available nationwide you may try to use leased
line maypac. This allows cheap data transfer, especially ones with lots of
ideal time, for users as far as Sabah. When I make a call, I do not call
to the BBS modem, rather to a maypac device which can be within my town
e.g. Sandakan, so that I'm charged for local calls only.
	You must use leased line maypac so that you have a maypac address.
If you only have a dial-up maypac, which is much cheaper, maypac users 
cannot call the BBS using maypac. This is because the maypac exchanges which
we had cannot dial out. You can call it but it cannot call you. It must be
a very old computer and stupid. 
	A workstation should be a better alternative. TCP/IP software can
do that more effectively since it is also a packet switching system.

If you still have any more question, please call. Any comment is most
appreciated.

as a maypac router.

--
Othman bin Ahmad, School of EEE,
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 2263.
Internet Email: eoahmad@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg
Bitnet Email: eoahmad@ntuvax.bitnet
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean