Where some were passionate about computer games, for me it was about communications. I’ve been working on a list of Australian modem manufacturers and I’ve copied that below.
I ran BBSs in the 80’s and eventually started an ISP in 1995. Looking back, it was a bit more Wayne’s World than I even gave it credit for at the time. There’s a blog post with some details about that and a picture of 40+ modems in a cupboard, over here.
Please reply if you know of others or have any modem stories to share. We really enjoy seeing your modem photos! I’ll update this post from time to time to include new discoveries.
Update 23/6/2025: Since there are fewer Australian modem manufacturers left to discover, I’m also using this thread to document the modems made by all the companies discovered so far. If you have a modem that was sold by any of the companies listed below, please post photos of your modem to this forum topic. Especially if your modem does not exist in the ACMS Communications catalogue or is not already listed below. If in doubt, please post photos! :)
Guidelines
- Modem is branded with the name of an Australian company
- Available for general purchase
- Especially focused on:
- Analogue modems up to 56000 bps
- Dates from mid to late 1970’s (BBS) to 2000 (broadband internet transition)
- Form for recording modem model details:
- Model number, model name, form factor (internal/external), data interface (eg DB9/DB25/ISA/PCI) and maximum speed
- Other notable features: who it was designed by, country of manufacture, where and when it was sold
- Preservation and operation details. For example: power supply requirements, capacitor replacement values and user manuals
- Provenance: eg links to articles and advertisements in magazines or online marketplaces
- Photographic documentation guide:
- Modem: labels, lights, switches, ports, cases, cables and plugs
- Power supply: labels, case, cables and plugs
- Optional for experts (or the brave): circuit boards
Todo
- Explore the story of each company
- Differentiate models designed/made in Australia (especially 70’s and 80’s Australian made)
- Build an internet PSTN replacement
List of Australian Modem Manufacturers
- J N Almgren Pty Ltd
- 16 Smith St, Chatswood, NSW
- Modem models: Codex (6 models), AX(6 models), AS(4 models)
- Apple Computer Australia Pty. Ltd.
- 37 Waterloo Road, North Ryde, NSW, 2113
- Model A9M0301-Z (This Modem has been designed and manufactured by Apple Computer Australia Pty Ltd (Inc. in NSW)) Made in Australia
- CCITT V21, V23 mode 2
- Applied Technology/Microbee Systems
- BeeModem. First model was 300 baud only followed by a 1200/75 & 300 baud model. This was further followed by the Automodem. @ChickenMan
- AusLinx
- Aus.Linx International Pty. Ltd.
- Kookaburra 33.6pc PCMCIA Fax/Modem
- Kookaburra 56kbps PCMCIA Fax Modem
- Redback 336e - Ext Voice-Speakerphone-P’n’P
- Redback 336i - Int Voice-Speakerphone-P’n’P
- Redback 336e - Ext Voice-Speakerphone
- Tasmanian Devil 336ev - Ext Data-Fax-Voice P’n’P
- Tasmanian Devil 336iv - Int Data-Fax-Voice - uses DIP switches
- Tasmanian Devil 336ev - Ext Data-Fax-Voice
- Tasmanian Devil 56ES, internal and external versions
- 56pm: PCMCIA, 56kbps Fax/Modem
- Automatic Ice Company
- 10 Smith Street, Charlestown, 2290, NSW
- Apple IIe internal modem: circa 1985, 2400 baud, auto answer, auto dial
- Avtek Pty Ltd
- Sydney, Australia
- Mini Modem II: external, fully manual, mid 80’s
- Multi Modem
- 1200bps, autoanswer, $229, Jan 1984
- Multi Modem II
- MegaPlus V.32bis Modem (CD920), external, 14.4 kbit/s, DB25, 15VAC, 10VA
- MegaPlus V.32bis Modem (CD950), 14.4 kbit/s
- Mega Modem 1234, external, DB25
- Mega Modem 24, external, DB25
- Mega Data/Fax Modem, CD900, 9600bps
- Mega DataFax 144, CD720, external, 14.4kbps, DB25
- Mega Modem 336 CD1066
- FlashModem 288 V.34 - Model CD1500, external, DB25
- FlashModem 288 V.34 - Macintosh Version
- Avtek Avenger 336 (YML358-3 AA), circa 1997
- Banksia Technology
- 25 Sirius Road, Lane Cove, NSW, 2006
- Bit Blitzer 124E external modem. 2400 bps, auto-answer/dial
- Bit Blitzer 1234E, model number BBM1234E-B2CL, external modem, 2400 bps, auto-answer/dial, DB25 serial
- Bit Blitzer MX-4 modem 2.4k, V.22bis, V.22, V23, V.21
- MyModem: external,14.4k, serial DB25
- MyVoiceModem-336
- MyModem56V: Model BD3064S, external, serial DB25
- MyInVoice-336: internal, 8 bit ISA
- PC CARD 144
- PCCARD336
- PCM14.4F: PCMCIA, data V.32bis, fax V.17
- BusinessCard336: PCMCIA
- Wave56-SP: external
- Case Communication Systems Ltd
- 10-12 Rodborough Rd, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086
- Models: Case Quattro, RV228, SD1222, SB2426
- Centre Industries
- Computer Classics 300. Photos available below - thanks @Retro_Fuzion
- Made in Australia - “to suit Commodore computers”
- Cicada 300: ACMS catalogue link
- Available with either RS-232-C port as shown in the ACMS specimen, or hard-wired cable and plug “to suit Commodore computers.”
- Cicada 300T
- Computer Classics 300. Photos available below - thanks @Retro_Fuzion
- Commodore Business Machines P/L
- Commodore 64 Viatel Modem - 300 and 1200/75 baud ( PAL SYSTEM )
- Made in Australia by Netcomm Aust P/L
- ebay listing
- Commodore 64 Viatel Modem - 300 and 1200/75 baud ( PAL SYSTEM )
- Computer Technology
- A Unit of Mayne Nickless Limited
- 700 Series Acoustic Coupler
- 1200 bps, manufactured in Australia, seen on eBay
- Consolidated Electronics Limited
- 15A Anderson Road, Thornbury, Victoria, 3071
- There is a link between Consolidated Electronics and Rosser Communications, possibly reseller
- CEI 2123AD Multistandard modem (1200 baud); built-in power supply.
- Data Bridge Electronic Communication Pty Ltd
- Suite 408, Henry Lawson Business Centre, Cary St, Drummoyne, NSW 2047
- Models: DSP (four models)
- Datacraft (Australia) Pty Ltd
- Maroondah Hwy, Croydon, Vic, 3136
- Quadcraft: external, 2400 bps, MNP3/4/5, DB25 serial port
- Quincraft
- Models: 5xx (4 models), 5xxx (6), Concord V22, V22bis, V23 (7 models total) and 2 more
- Dataplex Pty Ltd
- John St, Lilydale, Vic, 3140
- 234 Whitehorse Road, Blackburn, 3130, Australia
- Member of AMMA - Australian Modem Manufacturers Association
- TEL 424
- Access 34. Model number: DPX-233-0. EBay listing
- Dataplex 224 (2 models)
- Datasat
- 8 Lachlan St, Liverpool NSW 2170
- Datasat V1275
- Vtex (3 models)
- Dick Smith Electronics
- Dataphone 300 baud duplex modem
- ElectroMedical Engineering, Melbourne, Victoria
- Microtex 666 (300,75/1200): [ebay listing expired]
- Sendata 700 series acoustic coupler/modem
- Sendata TELXON 1200 AA.
- George Parry & Assoociates
- 60A Parry St, Cooks Hill, 2300
- GPA SuperModem: 1200/75 baud smart modem, external, 1986
- see @ChickenMan’s posting below for ad with full details
- Interlink Electronics
- 14.4k modem: Whirlpool forum post
- Maestro Distributors, Kalool Street, South Kincumber, NSW
- As seen on ebay listing: Maestro Supermodem For Apple II Computers Model AEM 4610. Made in Australia in 1986. 1200 baud. [ebay listing expired]
- Maestro 2400XR
- Maestro 9600XR: Fax and data, 1989
- The “Woomera” modem was designed by Maestro to work on the worst Telstra lines available in particular the outback of nowhere. https://whrl.pl/RbDZr7
- Woomera W56ER - see below for photos
- Modem Research
- Mitchell, ACT
- Companion: external, 56k, DB25, 9V DC, 400mA, 9V DC 500mA Maestro power supply, “using the “Maestro Jetstream 56” chipset, according to Windows XP.”
- Jetstream modems
- Netcomm (Australia) Pty Ltd
- Unit B, 25 Paul St, North Ryde, NSW
- Modem (3 models)
- Modem 64/128 - early mid 80’s
- Datalock (2)
- In/Modem (5),
- Trailblazer (2)
- Commodore C64 Viatel Adaptor - Commodore branded, V.23
- V2123 NC35-C Modem. Seen on eBay: “Australian made NetComm modems housed in an acrylic tray, presumably for internal mounting within an Acorn BBC Model B Micro Computer”
- AutoModem 3+12: circa 1985, external
- AutoModem 24: AM1500, external, DB25
- AutoModem 2400: AM1500, 2.4 kbit/s
- AutoModem 1234E, external, DB25, circa December 1989
- SmartModem: 1234, 1234SA (2400) - later mid 80’s. M11F - early 90’s
- SmartModem: 1234E, User’s Guide Issue 1 dated December 1989
- CM3501: CardModem GSM, PCMCIA
- IN3400: 33.6kbps, internal, ISA
- IN5699: InModem 56K V.92 32-bit, internal, PCI
- IN5920: 56K, internal, PCI
- AM3451: Roadster 288, 33.6kbps
- AM3460PA: Roadster X-Files, external, serial mini-DIN 9pin socket, Limited Edition, 33.6kbps
- AM3460NZ: Roadster 336 NZ, external, 9pin mini-DIN
- AM3470NZ: Roadster 336 SVD NZ, external, 9pin mini-DIN
- AM3474: Roadster 56flex, external, 9pin mini-DIN
- AM5066: RAVE3 USB 56K V.92, external, USB, circa 2000’s
- AM5067: Roadster Series 56K USB Modem, external
- AM5690: Roadster II 56ultra SVD, external, DB9
- AM5692: Roadster II 56ultra SVD, external, DB9
- AM5693: Roadster II 56 Ultra, external, DB9
- CD 2002: Mega-i-Modem56, external, DB9
- CD2003: Mega-i-Modem 56, external, DB25
- CD2004: Mega-i-Modem V.90, external
- The Nice Computer Company of Australia Pty Ltd
- Suite 3, 41 Rawson St, Epping, NSW, 2121
- The First Nice Modem
- Commodore 64 modem “Designed and Manufactured in Western Australia”
- V21, V23 (300, 1200/75)
- Telecom approval: C85/37/1322
- Models: Nice Modem 2, Modem 3, Inside 1, Inside 2
- Pulsar Electronics
- Catalina Drive, Tullamarine, Vic. 3043
- Sam Modem (V.21,V.22,V.23)
- Rosser Communications
- Suite 4, 1051 Pacific Hwy, Pymble, NSW, 2073
- https://www.arnnet.com.au/article/105215/peer_peer_preparing_remotely_possible/
- Alex Rosser, Director; ACMS member. Kind donation of modems to the ACMS
- Cunningham CE DATA (3 models)
- Saruman
- Scitec Communication Systems Ltd
- 3 Apollo Place, Lane Cove, NSW 2066
- Models: Business 2200, Business 2400, Business 2123, Business Tristar, Business Olympic
- SENDATA PTY. LTD.
- 67 Nicholson St, St Leonards, NSW, 2065
- 11 Stamford Road, Oakleigh, 3166, VIC
- 700 B /700 Series Acoustic Couple/Modem
- Model 1070 - acoustic modem
- Sendata Commodore™ Compatible Modem
- 15 models listed in Communications World 1987_08, pg 31
- @DigitalRampage
- Shuttle Datacomm
- 30/456 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3000
- Models: Cicada 312, Shuttle (6 models), Race (4 models), Rally 9600
- Simplecomputing Australia Pty Ltd
- Simplemodem 24, 96 144f models
- Spirit Electronics
- Spirit Electronics is a trading name for Mike Boorne Electronics Pty Ltd
- Unit 11/12-18 Clarendon Street, Artarmon, NSW, 2064
- Viper: 28.8kbps, external, firmware upgradable to 33.6kbps, serial DB25
- Cobra: 33.6kbps, external
- Panther: 56kbps, external, model # FM-56FT, serial DB25, photos below
- 560SP: 56kbps
- Voyager: 128kbps, ISDN BRI, external
- Swann
- SwannSmart II Pro (pci)
- Speed Demon 56k external modem
- MacSurfer 56K external voice modem V.90
- Tandy Australia Limited
- Cat. No. 26-9403, “Custom manufactured in Australia for Tandy Australia Limited”
- Circa 1984, manual answer/originate and phone/modem toggle switches
- LEDs: ON, CD, RD, TD
- Telecom Authorisation #C84/37/1177
- Cat. No. 26-9403, “Custom manufactured in Australia for Tandy Australia Limited”
- Telecorp Pty Ltd
- 21 Tepok Rd, Terrey Hills, NSW, 2084
- Fastcomm 96, Fastcomm Plus 2496
- Tulpi Intelligent Modem
- Unique Micro Design
- UMD Model 241 “V-Link” Viatel Keyboard Modem Terminal
Possible
- Hills
- Tronic Bits
Research references
- Austel - every modem was registered with Austel
- Australian Modem Manufacturers’ Association (AMMA)
- News Highlights, ELECTRONICS Australia, November 1994
- archive.org link
- Old Windows driver repositories
- ISP, BBS support and forum archives
Australian Modem Social History
- Modem resurrection, ARN, 26 May, 1999, link
a photo of the Spirit Viper modem would be great. Perhaps down the track we can add location photos to these corporate profiles. Netcomm and Banksia were neighbours in Lane Cove
