DH>> points.  Dial tone detection forbidden, 

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

Hayes Optima 288.  We worked out later that the dial tone detection was too
good - when used illegally, with the dial tone detection enabled, it could
and did work perfectly in situations where the local product didn't have a
hope.

Naturally - it was forbidden. :-(

DH>> enforced guard tone, 

MG> I thought that guard tones were actually against Austel regulations.

As far as I know, it is.  It also causes actual malfunctions.  Nontheless,
its use has been made mandatory on two models recently.  Early Microcom
DeskPorte FAST units were shipped with an Austel warning requiring guard
tone, with the NVRAM defaulted to guard tone on.

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

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

Spectacular, eh?  Been a while for that one.  I forget the model.

(Arthur?  Remember who it was that had the interlocked dial tone detect +
no dial without dial tone?   One of Rich's efforts?  Who was it?)

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

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

Lot of people have heard by now.  Hasn't stopped though.  Suspect it may
take a conviction or two to stop it.

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

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

Sounds more sensible every day.  A batch of American gear arrived with our
current VIP visit - guess what, the Austel phone lines suddenly worked
perfectly with 'em...  Wonderful upgrade - pity it only lasts until the
last secret service man unplugs, and our lines collapse back to
"unable to handle" again.

Regards,
Dave Hatch.

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