Review of the Worldlink 1200 Modem ---------------------------------- The Worldlink 1200 modem by Touchbase Systems, Inc. is a Hayes-compatible 300/1200 baud modem which is the size of a package of cigarettes. This modem operated in both the Bell 103/212A mode and the CCITT standard. It is powered by an internally-mounted 9 volt transistor radio battery or a 9 volt adapter (optional). In addition to the built-in modular phone connector, it has provisions for attaching an acoustic coupler of the Model 100 variety. One of the two plugs for the acoustic coupler doubles as the jack for a standard 9 volt AC adapter with 3.5mm phone jack (tip positive); a defect (intermittant contact) in this jack was the only defect in my unit -- this was discovered well-within the two-year warranty period. The command structure of this modem seems identical to that of my Hayes Smartmodem 1200 (used with my desktop PC). It supports virtually all functions (including autoanswer) and has the standard Hayes configuration registers which can be configured via software. The Attachment at the end of the file is excerpted from the preliminary technical information supplied with the modem (full manual "any day now"!), and demonstrates the richness of its command set. The Attachment also summarizes some of the modem's features. I have not made a point of fully testing the modem in all of its modes. I have used it to call Compuserve (300 and 1200 baud), call other BBS's and interconnect to another Model 100 by phone. I've downloaded files using Xmodem, and generally tested all of its functions other than autoanswer. Within the functions tested, it seems to work fully as well as my Hayes Smartmodem 1200 -- and at $199, it is a bargain. In particular, I've noticed none of the problems reported with its predecessor (and lookalike), the Travelcomm modem. My motive in purchasing this modem was to have a portable modem, with 1200 baud AND acoustic cup capability, for use with my Model 100 when traveling. It certainly meets that need. It also deserves serious consideration for general use -- particular when its functionality and price are considered. ********** ATTACHMENT SUMMARY INFORMATION ON THE WORLDLINK 1200 MODEM (PROVIDED WITH MODEM) -------------------------------------------------------------------- TECHNICAL INFORMATION: By removing the two screws on the bottom of the WorldLink 1200, and pulling the two halves of the case apart, you can gain access to the four internal switches on the top board. These switches are for modem configuration on power-up. With the exception of switch #4 (DTR), all other parameters are software selectable. SWITCH ON OFF FACTORY SETTlNG ------ ------------- ----------- -------------- 4 DTR lGNORED DTR ENABLED OFF 3 OFF ALWAYS 2 ANSWER DISABLE ANSWER ENABLE OFF 1 CCITT V.21/V.22 Bell 103/212A OFF An Alkaline 9 volt battery will operate the modem for approximately 10 hours. An optional 9-volt adapter may be used to power the modem from the wall receptacle. The modem will automatically turn on when you enter your terminal program, or, send it it's first commands. It will automatically power off when you leave your terminal program, or unplug the modem from the computer. Like the original TravelComm 1200, the WorldLink 1200 automatically senses the lbaud rate of your computer's RS-232 port. All you must do is set your computer's baud rate at either 300-bps or 1200-bps. This is done either through the communications software you are using, or, on a Model 100 or NEC 8201, through the STAT line. On a Radio Shack Model 100, and the NEC 8201, the flrst digit of the STAT line should be a "5". On a Radio Shack Model 100, a typical STAT for 1200bps is: 57I1E The WorldLink 1200 uses a Hayes compatible command set. If you are using a communications program like Crosstalk XVI from Microstuf, or SmartComm I from Hayes, or any other Hayes compatible software, the modem should operate without any comm nds.being entered manually. The modem is supplied with an adapter cable that allows you to use acoustic cups with your WorldLink 1200. The adapter cable plugs into the side of the WorIdLink 1200 and then connects to the acoustic cups cable. with the exception of the possible need to manually dial the phone, all other commands and operations are supported. COMMAND SUMMARY COMMAND DESCRIPTION AT Attention prefix: precedes all command lines except +++ (Escape) and A/ (Repeat) commands A/ Repeat last command line (A/ is not followed by Carriage Return) + + + Escape Code: Go from ON-LINE state to COMMAND state (one second pause before and after escape code entry; + + + is not followed by a carriage return) D Dial P Pulse (default) T Touch-Tone , Pause ! Flash / Wait for 1/8 second @ Wait for second dial tone ; Return to Command state after dialinq R Reverse mode (to call originate-only modem) A Answer call without waiting for ring B or B0 CCITT V.21 and V.22 Bl Bell 103 and 212A mode C or C0 Transmit Carrier off Cl Carrier on (default) E or E0 Characters not echoed E? Characers echoed (default) F or F0 Half duplex Fl Full duplex (default) H or H0 Hang up (on hook) Hl Off hook, line and auxiliary relay H2 Off hook, line relay only 0 Go to On-line state 01 Remote digital loopback off (defauIt) 02 Remote digital loopback request Q or Q0 Result codes displayed (default) Ql Result codes not displayed Sr? Requests current value of S register r Sr=n Sets S register r to value of n V or V0 Digit result codes Vl Word result codes (defau1t) X or XO Compatible with Hayes-type 300 modems (default) Xl Result code CONNECT 1200 enabled X2 Enables diaI tone detection X3 Enables busy signal detection X4 Enables dial tone and busy signal detection Y or Y0 Long space disconnect disabled (default) Yl Long space disconnect enabled Z Software reset: restores all default settings Register Range/Units Description Default ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- S0 0-255 rings Ring to answer phone on 0 Sl 0-255 rings Number of rings 0 S2 0-127 ASCII Escape code character 43(+) S3 0-127 ASCII Character recognized as carriage return 13(CR) S4 0-127 ASCII Character recognized as line feed 10(LF) S5 0-32, 127 ASCII Character recognized as back space 8(BS) S6 2-255 sec. wait time for dial tone 2 S7 1-255 src. wait time for carrier 30 S8 0-255 sec. pause time (caused by comma) 2 S9 1-255 1/10 sec. Carrier detect response time 6 SlO 1-255 1/10 sec. Delay between loss of carrier and hang up 7 Sll 50-255 millisec. Duration and spacing of Touch-Tones 70 S12 20-255 1/50 sec. Escape code guard time 50 S13 bit mapped UART status register -- S14 bit mapped Option register -- S15 bit mapped Flag register -- S16 0,1,2,4 Test modes 0