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 manufacture)
- 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
- 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
- Avtek
- Multi Modem
- 1200bps, autoanswer, $229, Jan 1984
- 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
- Multi Modem
- 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 (14.4k, …, 56k)
- PCM14.4F PCMCIA
- BusinessCard336 - PCMCIA
- Wave56-SP
- Centre Industries
- Computer Classics 300. Photos available below - thanks @Retro_Fuzion
- Made in Australia - “to suit Commodore computers”
- Cicada 300: ACMS catalogue link
- 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 )
- Datacraft
- Quadcrafts (2400 bps, MNP3/4/5)
- Dataplex Pty Ltd
- 234 Whitehorse Road, Blackburn, 3130, Australia
- Member of AMMA - Australian Modem Manufacturers Association
- TEL 424
- Access 34. Model number: DPX-233-0. EBay listing
- 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
- Modem Research
- Mitchell, ACT
- Jetstream modems
- Netcomm, Lane Cove, NSW
- Modem 64/128 - early mid 80’s
- Commodore C64 Viatel Adaptor - Commodore branded, V.23
- AutoModem 2400 (AM1500), 2.4 kbit/s
- Trailblazer
- Smartmodem: 1234, 1234SA (2400) - later mid 80’s. M11F - early 90’s
- Roadster 288, AM3451, 33.6kbps
- AM5066 RAVE3 USB 56K V.92 - 2000’s
- Rosser Communications
- https://www.arnnet.com.au/article/105215/peer_peer_preparing_remotely_possible/
- Alex Rosser, Director; ACMS member. Kind donation of modems to the ACMS
- Saruman
- SENDATA PTY. LTD.
- 11 Stamford Road, Oakleigh, 3166, VIC
- 700 B /700 Series Acoustic Couple/Modem
- Model 1070 - acoustic modem
- Sendata Commodore™ Compatible Modem
- @DigitalRampage
- Simplecomputing Australia Pty Ltd
- Simplemodem 24, 96 144f models
- Swann
- SwannSmart II Pro (pci)
- Speed Demon 56k external modem
- MacSurfer 56K external voice modem V.90
- Spirit Electronics, Artarmon, NSW
- Mike Boorne Electronics
- Viper (28.8k), Cobra (33.6k), 560SP (56k), Voyager (128k ISDN BRI)
- Telecorp Pty Ltd
- Terrey Hills, NSW
- Tulpi Intelligent Modem
- The Nice Computer Company of Australia
- The First Nice Modem
- Commodore 64 modem “Designed and Manufactured in Western Australia”
- V21, V23 (300, 1200/75)
- Telecom approval: C85/37/1322
- Unique Micro Design
- UMD Model 241 “V-Link” Viatel Keyboard Modem Terminal
Possible
- Hills
- Tandy
- 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