db> * The troublesome modem is a USR Sportster (we'll call him
 db> "Bill"), located
db> in Queensland.

 BG> Funny name for a modem, but I digress...

That's all right, it's a funny modem 

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,

With EC always / usually?

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

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

The forcing lower speed trick was less satisfactory than having the
Motorola set more fussy re BER for given speed connects, which still allows
28800 on best lines / connects, but trains up lower initially.  Noone's
seemed to have discovered how to set the Netcomms to be more sensitive,
that I've heard.

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

Cheers, Ian

--- MaltEd 1.0.b5