
Review

-- SupraFAXModem V.32bis Review --

V.32 = 9600 baud
V.32bis = 14400 baud

The SupraFAXModem V.32bis is Supra Corps. latest modem
innovation.  It provides many great features at an affordable
price.  It can go up to 14.4K raw data speed, and up to 57.6K
throughput with V.42bis (if the telephone system can handle it).
One word says it all: Fast!  The SupraFAXModem supports the
following error and data compression protocols: V.42bis, MNP 2-5,
and 10.  Since most files you upload or download are already
compressed (lharc, dms, etc.), you will find that data
compression dosen't help much.  However, I've found that V.42bis,
even on a compressed file, can give you about 20 cps higher.  The
modem also allows you to send and receive faxes (supports class 1
and class 2 fax commands).  I have successfully sent a fax to a
local radio station using a demo fax program on the IBM (just to
test it).  I tried a fax program on the Amiga first, but could
not get it to work properly.  The setup procedure was lousy and
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the docs were too confusing.  Anyway, since I'm not going to be
using the fax feature much, I will continue talking about the
other features of the modem.  The SupraFAXModem is small!  From
what I can remember, it's almost exactly the same size as their
2400 baud cousins.  The front display is unique.  There are four
little indicator lights and a nifty LED display!  The indicator
lights are: OH (Off-Hook), SD (Sending Data), RD (Receiving
Data), and TR (Transmission).  When you turn on the power, the
word "OK" appears on the LED display.  Here are SOME of the codes you
will see on the display: AA (AutoAnswer), CD (Carrier Detect), DC
(Data Compression), DI (Dialing), FX (Fax mode), LP (LAPM error
correction), M5 (MNP 5), RE (Receive Error), RI (Ringing), 96
(9600 bps), 144 (14400 bps), and much more.  When you're on-line
the display messages flash on and off (i.e., CD, then LP, then
96, etc.).  This is very helpful!  Now let's check out the speeds
I get.
I upgraded to the SupraFAXModem V.32bis from an old Commodore
1670 1200 baud modem.  As you can see, this was a big jump.  I
decided I might as well get something I won't have to upgrade for
a long time.  If I bought a plain 2400, in a few years time I'd
probably need to buy a faster one.  2400 is in now, but I can bet
it won't be in a few years.  I might as well stay on top.  This
modem probably won't be the modem to end all upgrades, but I'm
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positive I'll have many years of use with it (providing it does
not self-destruct or anything).  Anyhow, my average CPS rate at
14400 baud is a whopping 1650!  I've been using an Amiga 500 with
1 meg of RAM, two drives, and ROM 1.3.  Supra says 14.4K isn't
reliable with OS1.3, but I've used it all the time - no problems
here.  With OS2.0x the serial.device is supposed to be 100%
faster than 1.3's.  Maybe it is, I don't have 2.0x yet (I will in
about a week, I'm buying a new Amiga, so maybe I'll add something
else to the bottom of this review).  Since I had no hard drive on
the A500, I had to download everything to RAM.  It was possible
to download to floppy, but my drive really started to make
grinding noises - I didn't want to torture the poor thing. I
don't recommend downloading to floppy, unless you want to wear
out your drive (sure, why not).  What took me an hour at 1200
baud now takes minutes at 14.4K!  I'm extremely satisfied with
the performance and reliability of this modem.  You will see some
people complaining about various bugs, but they aren't THAT bad. 
Besides, the new ROM coming out will fix this problem.  I've only
found one bug that is noticeable to me.

Sometimes the modem will not disconnect from a BBS properly.  For
instance, on System 6626 when I type 'logout' the BBS sends me
garbage (like excessive line noise), and I have to hang up
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manually.  On the Land BBS my LED display says 'TE' (Transmission
Error), so I have to drop DTR.  This is a very minor bug that
dosen't bother me whatsoever.  Supra is sending out new ROMS to
all registered owners - this SHOULD fix the problem.

There's so much more I could talk about, but I feel that the
above is good enough for a short review.  So, now you're asking
"How much should I expect to pay?"  Well, it depends where you
buy it from.  I purchased mine directly from Supra under the
Sysop deal.  It was about $50 under the regular price: $300-320
American (if you don't buy from Supra).  If you do buy from Supra
under the regular price, the modem is $399 American (although
this might of changed to compete with other mail-order
companies).  These prices are cheap for a modem with this many
features.  I've seen 14.4K modems going for $500-1000!  If you're
looking for a good high speed modem, but don't want to pay a
large price, buy the SupraFAXModem V.32bis!  If you have any
questions, feel free to leave me a message.

Amiga high speed BBSes I call in Winnipeg:

Stalker's Guild    : 257-3751 (V.32bis, fast transfers)
The Land           : 338-3423 "                       "
Amiga File Connect.: 254-1750 "                       "
Amiga Users Group  : 669-1666 (V.32 - 9600 baud)

September 29, 1992

 
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