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 especially enjoy seeing your modem photos: labels, lights, switches, ports, cases and cables. I’ll update this post from time to time to include new discoveries.
List of Australian Modem Manufacturers
Guidelines
- Modem is branded with the name of an Australian company
- Available for general purchase
- Especially focused on:
- analogue modems between 300 - 56000 bps
- Dates from mid to late 1970’s (BBS) to 2000 (broadband internet transition)
Todo
- Explore the story of each company
- Differentiate models designed/made in Australia (especially 70’s and 80’s Australian made)
- Need a form for recording modem model details, eg speeds and other features, who it was designed by, country of manufacture, where and when it was sold
- build an internet PSTN replacement
List
- 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 (CD950), 14.4 kbit/s
- Mega Modem 1234
- Mega Data/Fax Modem, CD900, 9600bps
- Mega Modem 336 CD1066
- 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 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
- Jetstream modems
- Netcomm (Australia) Pty Ltd
- Unit B, 25 Paul St, North Ryde, NSW
- Modem (3 models)
- Datalock (2)
- In/Modem (5),
- Trailblazer (2)
- Modem 64/128 - early mid 80’s
- 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 2400 (AM1500), 2.4 kbit/s
- Smartmodem: 1234, 1234SA (2400) - later mid 80’s. M11F - early 90’s
- Roadster 288, AM3451, 33.6kbps
- Roadster X-Files: AM3460PA, external, 33.6kbps, serial mini-DIN 9pin socket, Limited Edition
- Roadster 56flex: AM3474, external, serial mini-DIN 9pin socket
- Roadster II 56 Ultra: Model AM5693, external, DB9
- Mega-i-Modem56: CD 2002, external 56kbps, DB9
- AM5066 RAVE3 USB 56K V.92 - 2000’s
- 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
