!!! Question About The Modem Pictured, Top Right !!!

[RIVER]

Hey guys I found a modem exactly like the picture at the top right corner of the forum page, with a whole lot of wires, boxes, switches all kinds of things with it. It has been sitting at this thrift store since yesterday, is it worth anything at all, or worth picking up for any reason, just thought i would ask??

[Rob Mitchell]

Atari 8-bit computer modem with multiport box and connecting cables is more of a curiosity than useful in today's world.

 

You can use the modem for a paper weight, door stop, or a great place to put your telephone set when you want to put someone on hold.

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[Albert]

It's an Atari 830 Accoustic Coupler modem, which was a re-labeled Hayes modem. I believe they were bundled with the 850 interface, which had four (!) RS232 serial ports and a parallel port. They are interesting items for fans of the Atari 8-bit computers, but only for those who like to collect 8-bit hardware..

 

..Al

[badbrad]

One just was sold on ebay, I dont think it got 15 bucks.

[smf_4ever]

I accually have one.. and did use it (found a still active Atari bbs) just for kicks...... the problem is find a phone (in todays world) that fits the damn thing..

[Tempest]

I accually have one.. and did use it (found a still active Atari bbs) just for kicks...... the problem is find a phone (in todays world) that fits the damn thing..

 

Now there's something I've always wanted to do. I want to hook my 830 into my 850 (or just use my 835), plug in my Telelink I or II cart and connect to a real Atari BBS. I didn't think any would still be in business. Long distance charges would suck though (I doubt there are any in Michigan).

 

Tempest

[Curt Vendel]

It's an Atari 830 Accoustic Coupler modem, which was a re-labeled Hayes modem.  I believe they were bundled with the 850 interface, which had four (!) RS232 serial ports and a parallel port.  They are interesting items for fans of the Atari 8-bit computers, but only for those who like to collect 8-bit hardware..

 

..Al

 

Albert, actually the 830 is a repackaged Novation Cat modem, not a Hayes, I wish Atari had struck a deal with Hayes and sold Hayes modems, they were THE best modems ever made, I remember my Hayes 1200 blinking away all night when I ran a Bulletin Board System, man it got red-hot though!

 

Atari then came out with the 835 and 1030 which I believe both (I know the 1030 for a fact) were done by Racal-Vadic. Atari had another modem in the works codenamed "Isabel" in 1981 (I have the original schematic) for something called CCW which I am still investigating, none of the HCD or CED engineers I've spoken with so far know what it was.

 

Atari also listed in many of its engineering release manuals on the Atari 1030 (posted up on the atarimuseum.com site) that there was also a 1035 modem in the works, I would assume it might have been a 1200 baud modem being worked on... back in the 80's I heard rumor of an Atari 837 modem, but only 1 person ever claimed its existence and no one else ever confirmed it so I take that as just a rumor and nothing real.

 

 

Curt

[Callipygous]

Some collectors are going crazy over MIB ones http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=3401404269

 

It does make a nice display piece. Kinda looks older than it is. I bought a "The Communicator" from eBay for $37 or so. Included 850, 830 with its box and the cables. The Telelink I cart originally came in the box. It was missing from the one I got , but I already had one so ....

 

@Albert I'll have to check mine for the Hayes mfr. Didn't remember that. I know it was third party because Radio Shack sold the same model for their computers.