-=> Quoting Dave Hatch to Mark Griffiths <=-

 MG> I've just tested my Courier and its phone socket is connected and works 
 MG> like a mode-3 adaptor.  I've seen plenty of other Austel modems that work 
 MG> like this.  Any idea on the reason why Austel has this 
 MG> regulation?  Sorry, 
 MG> stupid question, Austel regulations don't need a reason. :-(

 DH> One interesting line of thought would be the known effect 
 DH> of T200 phones, and the total immunity to such bad effects 
 DH> that mode-3 confers.  A major selling point for the 
 DH> informed, in other words.

This only works if you take the trouble to plug the T200 into the mode-3
plug at the back of the modem.  I know that a lot of people don't do this,
including myself because it isn't always convenient.  In my case I like
to uplug my modem most of the time in case there is a storm while I'm out
and having to change where the phone is plugged in as well would be 
annoying.  The other reasons are if the phone is wall mounted or in a 
different room.  I have a T400 now and my previous T200 never gave any 
problem.  I wonder how many "faulty" T200s were/are still out there?

 DH> The Local Modem Company have delivered mode-3 in every one 
 DH> of their products that I've used and tested for the 
 DH> feature.  Those are definitely T200 immune - and they know 
 DH> it.  Having disconnect enforced by telephone handset design 
 DH> is not a major selling point for a modem user... immunity 
 DH> is.

If the user knows about the problem they will simply return the T200 to 
Telstra.  The main problem will be advice given out by those not knowing
about the problem saying "don't buy this modem because is hangs up every 
15 minutes"

 DH> That this sale inducing feature should be forbidden in imported
 DH> products is  neither suprising, or novel, considering the above two 

Although I've heard this theory before, I don't really think that its the 
case and is more likely to be due to manufacturers or testing centers making 
mistakes in the interpretation of possibly poorly documented Austel 
regulations.  Another possibility is that manufacturers build products for
either their own domestic market or for export and make all of the export
models follow the regulations for all foreign countries. eg disabling of the
secondary RJ-11 might be a European regulation....

 DH> points.  Dial tone detection forbidden, 

Never heard of that being forbidden - often unuseable, but never forbidden.

 DH> enforced guard tone, 

I thought that guard tones were actually against Austel regulations.

 DH> refusal to allow the modem to dial out(!), and 

Leased line only? :-)  pretty stupid stuff up by someone for that one.

 DH> various other campaign points have been used over the 
 DH> years.  Get the drift?

Oh yes, I heard of most of these and others.

 DH> Buy enough modems, and you will.  Guaranteed.  Now work out how to fix
 DH> it.. 

I've only had experience with about 8 different brands of modems.  As for a
fix, you could always ignore Austel and buy a non-approved modem.  (At your
own risk of course)

Regards,
Mark Griffiths.

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