
                  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
                  * TSI CROSS-TALK            *
                  *                           *
                  * KROWN ASCII/BAUDOT MODEM  *
                  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                    By Chris Gray

 The first half of this cross-talk was published in the Fall 1987 issue of 
 Tactic.

 INTRODUCTION
 
 The SM85 Smart Modem from Krown Research Inc. Of Culver City, CA is a 
 two-way, dual-code communications modem. When I tested the modem with a 
 VersaBraille, VersaBraille II and VersaBraille II+ system, it allowed me to
 communicate either in ASCII or BAUDOT with no difficulty. ASCII, of course,
 is the standard 8-29t code by which computers and terminals communicate with
 one another. BAUDOT is a special 5-29t code which was originally invented by
 Emile Baudot as a part of a telegraph multiplexing scheme that was first
 demonstrated in 1874. This code allowed up to six operators to share one
 telegraph line on a cyclic basis. A modified form of Baudot's original code
 was ultimately adopted as the International Telegraph Alphabet No. 2 and
 became the code used later in teletypewriters.
  
 After World War II, deaf people began to use surplus military teletypes to
 communicate with one another over the telephone. Thus, BAUDOT has come to be
 the communications code of choice for the majority of deaf and deaf-blind
 people today. Though much slower than ASCII communications, it is considered
 more robust and less error prone over longer distances and poorer quality
 communications lines. For this reason, it is still the code used in the
 international telex system today. There are many bulletin boards and other
 support systems using BAUDOT of particular interest to the deaf,
 the deaf-blind and their friends.
 
 In view of this, it is not surprising that deaf and deaf-blind people have
 been searching for a device that would allow them to both communicate in
 BAUDOT, perhaps the least common denominator for them when it comes to
 communicating with general computer users; and in ASCII, the most prevalent
 medium for general computer communications.
  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE KROWN SM85
 
 The Krown SM85 fits the need for dual communications very well. By issuing
 one simple command (control B), the user can toggle from BAUDOT to ASCII
 communications mode. The modem will say "ASCII COMMUNICATIONS" to let you
 know that the command has been received. After finishing an ASCII
 transmission, simply enter another CTL B from the keyboard to be set for
 BAUDOT communications. The modem sends back the message: "BAUDOT MODE."
  
 In addition to code conversion, the SM85 has a number of additional
 excellent features. These will be of particular benefit to a person who
 is not very computer literate or who doesn't have a specialized computer
 terminal program. 

 One feature I have used extensively is its ten memory storage area for
 commonly dialed telephone numbers. Each memory can contain both text and
 numbers, allowing one to use it as a personalized minidirectory. SM85 picks
 the number from the surrounding text and dials it upon command. A phone
 entry could read like this: "Jane 9*3452419 evenings.
 (The words surrounding the telephone number could be entered in Grade 2.)
 Pauses can be built into numbers with the asterisk, and the modem can wait
 for and sense long-distance network dial tones.
 
 Perhaps even more significant to the deaf and deaf-blind, SM85 has ten
 message memories, each of which can hold up to 218 characters. Greetings,
 passwords and other repetitive information may be stored in these areas
 for later transmission.

 The SM85 can act as a telephone answering machine. Two of the message areas
 are specially reserved to hold messages that will be sent if the modem
 answers the phone automatically. One message will be sent if the modem is
 set for ASCII and the other is sent when BAUDOT is selected. After such a
 message is transmitted, a return message may be left by the caller.
 Finally, SM85 has online help and excellent, easy-to-read, complete
 documentation. In fact, the online help is so persistent that it can get a
 little annoying after an hour or two. Luckily, Krown has built in options
 that can turn help off as well as allow for other kinds of configuration
 changes. There are two disadvantages to this modem, neither of which seem
 very significant to me. First, it only operates in ASCII at 300 BAUD
 (30 characters per second). Considering that BAUDOT is the equivalent of
 45 BAUD (4.5 characters per second), most users will probably not find this
 to be a problem. Second, the SM85 is not Hayes compatible. However, its well
 designed features, particularly the automated answering machine, are easy
 to learn and well documented. Also, this modem has the most important
 ingreedients that the Hayes standard has brought to the modem industry: i.e.
 pulse/tone dialing, pausing between numbers, setting number of rings before
 modem answers and so on.
 
 In summary, SM85 is a good bargain considering its capabilities. It sells
 for $349.00 retail. For more information, contact Krown Research Inc.
 10371 W. Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CC 90232. Telephone: (213) 839-0181.
 
 INTERFACE TO VERSABRAILLE SYSTEMS
 
 Interfacing the Krown to any VersaBraille is a simple matter. Below is a
 brief description for each VersaBraille-type System. Classic VersaBraille
 System. The tape-based VersaBraille Model P2-C and P2-D can be interfaced to
 the SM85 by attaching the DB-25, male end of the serial I/O cable to the
 female connector on the back of the modem. If your VersaBraille was upgraded
 from a Model P2-B, you may have a female DB-25 connector, in which case it
 will be necessary to use a male-to-male gender changer. I was not able to
 connect the SM85 to a Model P2-B VersaBraille System, 
 but I'm sure that it works effectively. It is possible that a cable that
 wraps pins 4-5 together may be necessary.
 
 Once connected, insert your Master Overlay cassette and load the Terminal
 Overlay. Change the d parameter to a value of 8, and the p parameter to a
 value of n. (Remember that (r)e enters the CCP editor; (r)s saves the
 modified CCP's in memory and leaves the CCP editor.)

 Now, insert a working tape and save the modified overlay. Open a working
 page, and you're ready to go.

 VERSABRAILLE II AND II+ Systems. To connect the VersaBraille II,
 you will need a straight-through, male-to-male, serial cable with DB-25
 connectors on each end. Connect one end to the DTE connector of the VBII.
 This is the inside connector located nearest the disk connector. Connect the
 other end into the female connector of the SM85.
 
 For the VBII+, use the serial cable supplied with the unit. Connect the
 9-pin end into the DTE connector. This is the right-most connector on the
 back panel. 

 Now set your VBII to its default parameters. This can be done in two ways.
 First, you can reset the machine by holding down dots 1-2-3 and turning it
 on with those dots held down. Second, you can load the parameters from a.
 CCP file (if you have previously saved it) with the SLCCP program.
 Then, examine your SERIAL and COM MODE parameters and change the ones listed
 below:

 B: baud rate 300 i: dc in yes
 V: vb: emulate on
 
 After setting the parameters, it's a good idea to save them. Use the
 SLCCP.PGM supplied on the Sample Materials disk to save these settings into
 a disk file. You can load it at a future time that way without needing to
 remember or look up the settings.
 
 When you have completed these tasks, use the asterisk key to return to
 "top-of-system." Then, braille f, p, and i to enter the interactive mode.
 You will see a cursor in cell 1 followed by a blank display. You are now
 ready to use the modem.

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