Practical Modem 9600SA Copyright 1991 David Batterson There are innumerable PC users who are just now upgrading to 2400-bps modems. For those thinking of doing so, you might consider buying a 9600-bps modem instead. The increase in speed is impressive. Prices of PCs and peripherals continue to drop as competition gets tougher among manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. The Practical Modem 9600SA has a list price of $699 but one West Coast computer chain sells it for $499.95. I expect the price to drop even more by year's end. One reason for the reasonable price, as well as high-quality components, is that the manufacturer uses Surface Mount Technology. The modems are all manufactured in the U.S. The PM9600SA, from Practical Peripherals, is a full-duplex V.32 9600-bps modem. It features V.42 error-control, V.42bis data compression (with automatic line-speed fallback), MNP levels 2-5 and ASB (Automatic Speed Buffering). ASB allows data flow from computer to modem at throughput rates up to 38,400-bps. Since both hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (XON/XOFF) flow controls are supported, you shouldn't experience any data loss. I especially liked the small footprint (3" W x 5" H x 10" D) of the PM9600SA, since it fit easily on my extremely-crowded desktop. The modem is fully compatible with all domestic (and most international) modem types, including the Hayes Ultra Smartmodem 9600 and Smartcom III communications software. You'd expect that because Practical Peripherals is a Hayes company. I'm not a CompuServe subscriber but one of the BBSs I call supports 9600 baud now (most BBSs don't support 9600 yet). Thus, I was able to test the modem extensively at 9600 speed for a number of weeks. That particular BBS uses a non-V.42 9600-bps modem apparently, since I connected in MNP mode. You determine this by simply looking at one of the 10 LEDs on the front, labelled EC. The EC (Error Control) is a multicolored LED. After you call and connect in normal mode (with no error control), it displays red. A green display indicates that V.42 error control (LAPM protocol) is active. An orange display (which I saw) means you have MNP error control enabled and active. The HS (High Speed) LED is also multicolored: off = 300-bps, red = 1200, green = 2400 and orange = 4800/9600. The DC (Data Compression) LED lights up if V.42bis or MNP 5 data compression is enabled. Once I found out that the BBS always connected in MNP mode, I changed my dialing prefix by adding the AT command, &Q8. By doing this, the modem doesn't waste handshake time, trying to connect via V.42 mode first. How kind of throughput did I get with the modem? While downloading ZIPped mail packets from the BBS using ZMODEM ("DSZ MobyTurbo," to be exact), I achieved over 1115 characters per second. Not too shabby! I could log on, download the mail packet and log off, in less than a minute. This rapid online access saves you time, and it creates more free online time for others. Nobody likes a BBS hog. BBS sysops (and others who want remote access) will appreciate the ability to use a device to remotely power-up the PM9600SA. To do this, you change a "Berg jumper" inside the case; no big deal to accomplish. I don't know how much this means to you, but InfoWorld awarded the PM9600SA its "1990 Modem Product of the Year" (based on a reader survey). The modem comes with the usual Practical Peripherals five-year warranty. "If it fails to perform, it will be repaired or replaced FREE," the company says. This is the only 9600-bps modem I've reviewed so far. I experienced no problems with it, and have no suggestions for improvements (unlike some other products I've tested). To borrow from Joe Bob Briggs: "5 stars, check it out." For more information, contact Practical Peripherals, Inc., 31245 La Baya Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91362; 818-706-0333; FAX: 818-706-2474. # David Batterson reviews various PC hardware/software. Contact him via modem on MCI Mail: 273-7218.