Classic Computer Magazine Archive ANTIC VOL. 5, NO. 4 / AUGUST 1986

MODEMS

SUPRA 300-AT
SUPRA 300-AT
(MPP 1000-E)
Supra Corporation
1133 Commercial Way
Albany, OR 97321
(503) 967-9075
$49.95

The 300 baud, direct-connect modem formerly known as the MPP 1000-E now being sold as the Supra 300-AT. It comes with Smart Term software that allows uploading, downloading, auto-dialing, auto-answer and XMODEM protocol. Scheduled for release by the time you read this is a new, enhanced Supra 300-AT that comes with Smart Term version 7.0 and can also work with Supra's more advanced Omega software.

Hayes SMARTMODEM 1200
HAYES SMARTMODEM 1200
Hayes Microcomputer Products
35 Peachtree Corner East
Norcross, GA 30092
(404) 449-8791
(8-bit Ataris require 850 interface)
$599

Solidly constructed, full-featured Hayes modems are the standard that the rest of the industry is judged against. And the Hayes command set is the standard that most third-party telecommunications software is written for. The Hayes Smartmodem 1200 adjusts automatically between 300 or 1200 baud. It can switch between voice and data transmission on a single call. Features include auto-answer, auto-dial and redial, built-in speaker, outstanding documentation. It can communicate with complex office PBX systems, with overseas modems that use the CCITT-V22 format, or with the bulletin board across town.

Atari 1030
ATARI 1030
Atari Corp.
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale; CA~94086
(408) 745-2000
$49.95 (varies)

Although no longer manufactured, the dependable 300-baud, direct-connect Atari 1030 is still going strong. New units remain available check the mail-order ads in Antic. Most users today bypass the 1030's built-in software (which doesn't even require a disk drive) in favor of a wide variety of third party software that allows this simple modern to upload, download, auto dial and even operate a bulletin board.

Atari XM301
ATARI XM301
$49.95

The worthy successor to the 1030, Atari's XM301, builds a number of advanced features directly into the inexpensive 300-baud direct-connect format. No larger than a deck of cards, the XM301 has auto-dial and auto-answer built in, and doesn't need an external power supply. You get a 49 page manual and some $270 worth of online discount offers. Thc included XE-Term software is an out-standing value in itself.

VOLKSMODEM 10
VOLKSMODEM 10
Anchor Automation
6913 Valjean Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 997-7758
$79.95

This 300-baud, direct-connect modem is a simple, reliable workhorse that plugs into joystick port 2. Not to be confused with the Hayes-compatible 1200 baud non-direct-connect Volksmodem 12 ($299) Coming soon is the Volksmodem 520 for Atari ST's.

COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE

1030 EXPRESS,
850 EXPRESS
(PUBLIC DOMAIN)
48K disk

The first choice of Atari owners according to our surveys, Keith Ledbetter's Express telecommunications programs are perhaps the most sophisticated, user-friendly software ever put into public domain. As the titles indicate, 1030 Express is for the Atari 1030 and XM301 direct-connect modems, while 850 Express supports Hayes-compatibles and other standard modems that require an RS-232 serial interface such as the Atari 850. One online source for Express is Data Library 2 on CompuServe's 8-bit SIG*Atari section-type BRO/KEY EXPRESS for instructions. Also Antic Catalog's 1030/XM301 disk ($10, PD0025) includes 1030 Express.

HOME TERM
Batteries Included
30 Mural Street
Richmond Hill, Ontario
14B lBS Canada
(416) 881-9941
$49.95, 48K disk

HomeTerm is an easy-to-use, versatile telecommunications program that provides uploading, downloading and autodialing with just about any 300 baud or 1200 baud modem. It's part of the HomePak package that also includes a simple word processor and file manager. An ST version of HomePak is on the way from Batteries Included.

TSCOPE
(PUBLIC DOMAIN)
16K disk

TSCOPE, by Joe Millet; is the standard public domain program for uploading and downloading CompuServe SIG*Atari files and VIDTEX pictures. This program works with Atari 1030/XM301 direct-connect modems as well as standard 850-compatible modems. TSCOPE can be downloaded from Data Library 2 on CompuServe's 8-bit SIG*Atari section-type BRO/KEY TSCOPE for instructions. It's also included on Antic Catalog's 1030/XM301 disk ($10, PD0025).

SMART TERM
Supra Corporation
1133 Commercial Way
Albany, OR 97321
(503) 967-9075
Included with MPP 1000-E
$24.95 (v.6.l), 48K disk

Over the years, Smart Term has evolved through many versions, consistently improving. The latest revision, 7.0, will be bundled with the upcoming Supra 300-AT enhanced model. According to Supra, Smart Term 7.0 will hold 10 phone numbers for autodialing, support 80-column displays and has an audio hookup for TV speakers. It handles uploads, downloads, auto-dial, auto-answer; XMODEM, pulse/tone dialing.

XE-TERM
Atari Corp.
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 745-2000
Included with Atari XM3O1
32K disk

Antic reviewer Matt Ratcliff (March, 1986) called XE-Term "superb." Easily operated via onscreen menu boxes, XE-Term supports the full 128K memory of the Atari 130XE computer. It works with XMODEM, AMODEM, captures information and toggles between ASCII and ATASCII. XE-Term stores five phone numbers and one log-on macro sequence.