Ian, at 06:41 on Apr 05 1996, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

db> * The Sportster calls the Courier, no problems.

BG> Correct.  Almost 100% consistent 28800 connects to the Courier.

db> * The Sportster calls either the Viper or the M34F, problems.

BG> The Viper would always connect, albeit at a lower link
BG> rate, either 24000bps or 26400bps,

IS> With EC always / usually?

Absolutely.  Always a V34/LAPM/V42BIS connect, without fail.

BG> but the M34F was normally only connecting at 26400/NONE or 28800/NONE (and
BG> even then, only around 20% of the time) unless the lesser link rate of 
BG> 26400bps was forced from my end, following which it would connect with LAPM 
BG> almost every time without fail.

IS> Exactly the same symptom as the Motorola Lifestyle calling any of a rack of 
IS> M34s (not sure what the rack model designation is, but they're M34s) at the 
IS> uni, from a site within sight, via maybe 2k round-trip to the AXE exchange.

Do you happen to know if the M34Fs are using the 2.61 (latest) ROM code? 
Paul's is, and I was able to briefly borrow an M34F, also with the 2.61
code, and it would connect with Paul at 26400/REL each time (no 28800
connects).

IS> The forcing lower speed trick was less satisfactory than having the 
IS> Motorola set more fussy re BER for given speed connects, which still allows 
IS> 28800 on best lines / connects, but trains up lower initially. 

True, it's most unsatisfactory, especially as V.34 is supposed to analyse
line conditions transparently, and connect accordingly, no user
intervention required at all.  This is not happening with an M34F on one
end of the link.

IS> Noone's seemed to have discovered how to set the Netcomms to be more 
IS> sensitive, that I've heard.

The Tx level can be forced as low as -9dBm I believe, but nothing will make
them receive any better.  Even when Paul was playing around with different
Tx levels, the CONNECT 28800/NONE problem still occurred from here.

IS> Can you adjust your Sportster, in that respect?  Ok, yours is fixed anyway, 
IS> but maybe for others .. ?

No, the Sportster Tx level appears to be non user-adjustable, although the
Tx level will still vary according to prevailing line conditions anyway,
but that's just an inherent feature of V.34, not the modem itself.

My problems are now academic anyway, as the V.34+ EPROM arrived while you
were absent, and my link rates have increased 1 to 2 x 2400 steps to those
modems which were giving less than 28800 connects, and my calls to Paul are
also connecting with EC every time, mostly at 28800, occasionally at 26400,
but there have been no other problems at all.  Not bad when you consider
how poor my lines are.  Even my calls to Dave Drummond on his immaculate
lines generally only show a 33600/31200 connect (and very occasionally,
33600/28800).  Funny thing is, it ALWAYS receives at 33600, regardless. 
I'm not complaining though, as my frequency chart shows that I'm lucky to
be connecting at speeds higher than 26400 (and that's on a good day!).  :)

Regards, Bill

--- Msgedsq/2 3.20