Worth Anything....
I finally got around to getting my newly acquired Apple II Plus up and running (long story on what I needed to get it working), but it had this "dual" card modem setup. I distinctly remember this being a phone freaker favorite, but don't know if I should eBay this card or just throw it in a box of spare parts. I most likely have the software for it as the machine came with a bunch of disks, but I haven't had a change to go through them yet as I don't have the disk drive hooked up yet.
Thanks,
Corey
Corey,
Have any pictures?
Steven
Here you go....
This sold recently for $66, not sure if that's what you've got?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380419402961
eBay stops showing the listings after a few months, so there's no pictures to make sure it's the same thing, but it looks like some sold before that for as low as $9.99
And this sold for 7.99, it was listed a few times, it does not appear this is an easy sell.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310384514257
It looks like the first one is just the modem and didn not include the 212 expansion card. I guess if I can find the software disk and test it I may be able to get something for it.
This is a Novation Cat 1200 modem, with 212 expansion board.
These two items should get you $150 on ebay, with good photos and good description.
Missing is:
Firmware chip
Expansion module
Manuals
Comware disk
Tone decoder chip
Handset and brackets
If those items are included then I'd say 225-300 depending on the last minute bid war.
If you have a box, then definitely 300+ on this! Seen it before. And have been offered this price.
Thanks,
If I can find the software in the pile of disks that came with the Apple II, can I simply test it by calling a modern modem or are the protocols different. I have an old HP laptop that I use for the light scribe drive that has a built-in modem and I have two phone lines.
Cheers,
Corey
The most modern of telephone modems ex. 56.6k style, should be backward compatible. Try it out!
OK I went through the disks that came with the system. There is a copy of something called "Pro-Connection 1.0" this is about the only label that sounds like a communication software. Is there anyone out there who has a copy or image of the Com-Ware software that would have come with the modem? Or will Pro-Connection 1.0 work? I see that someone has the Com-Ware software for $25 bucks on ebay, but It's not worth it for me to buy it.
Thanks,
Corey
ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/communications/NovationComware2.zip
ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/images/communications/com-ware50.dsk.gz
How do you typically take these images and get them on a floppy or can I load them in an emulator and create a wav file and load with the cassette interface? I'm new to this kind of Apple work...
Thanks,
Corey
For moving disk images back and forth to the Apple II, you need a little utility like ADTPro. Once you connect your modern computer up to the Apple II with a serial or audio or Ethernet cable, you can start moving whole disk images you find on the Internet.
Corey,
One of these just went up for sale on ebay. The same seller has a whole bunch of "Extras" for this card for sale also.
Starting price: $9.99 (each)
Steven
Here is the link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251043596867?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
He also has several other itemsrelated to this set of cards.
Steven
I'm watching that auction. It would be nice to have another box and a button. I'm guessing
it should reach $300 or damned close. I saw an identical one go for $445 many years back.
But that was when the renaissance in 2 series stuff was underway. The market has since
cooled quite a bit. There are less and less Apple enthusiasts now than back then.
One thing, with the auction back then, I convinced, somehow, the owner to part with the
manual. And I got a signed manual to boot! This one is the long one, similarly dimensioned like the modem itself.
If this contained the BSR stuff, expansion module, tone decoder, firmware, programming guides, register guide, source code listing to com-ware, update publications sent to owners, handset, cord, and clips.. Crap man.. It would reach 600-700 easily!
On another note, I was advised to not post any rare or unseen material like manuals or hardware if I have intention of selling them. Because, once something is scanned and posted, the value of the item in question is significantly reduced. And the name of the game with ebay is PROFIT!
It does have some cool feaures (BSR X-10 module control, D/A converter onboard)
Did it come with the expansion connector (a 2x3 inch beige box labeled "novation")
I've been searching for years without success for some of the extra accessories, like the plastic
phone cradle (you could plug a handset into the expansion connector, and use it as a "real" phone.
I've used mine as a phone answering machine, though not recently (after 1990), managed to pick up
two more over the years.
The home control possibilities using the touch-tone decoder and blue-boxing features were unmatched in its day.
It's difficult to have much fun with it unless you have a list of BBSes or have other users you can run cat-fur with.
Last VCF east I attended (2008), there was a guy advertising a BBS on his Amiga, IIRC.
I'd love to see you demo it at VCF East... it will attract some attention there.
I don't know how I'd demonstrate it. My Apple-1 exhibit will include my II plus, but with the Brain Board making it emulate and Apple-1 as an inexpensive way to get into the Apple-1 stuff. I wasn't planning on having any other cards in my system or even a disk II.
I could bring the card maybe for the "consignment" area for sale.
The Apple-Cat II with 212 Upgrade card was awesome in it's day! This was the modem of choice when it came to phreaking , conference call startups and all around BBS call ups and transfering software from files to whole disks back in the day! Funny , I still remember watching a friend of mine startup a conference call using The Cat's Meow and made it look so simple! Also the touch tone decoder chip was a blast also! When ever someone was on a voice call in a conference and you heard them pick up the phone to dial out and all you heard was the touch tone tones , I would just click on Pick Up on my Apple-Cat II and the tones would transfer over to numbers on my screen! Funny trick but nice to have. I have 3 excellent condition sets of Apple-Cat II's and 212 upgrades , ofcourse this technology is all but gone really , not even sure it would work with a standard dial up line any more :O( . I think the 2600 meg tone would be a dead give away to any up to date operator and it probably would not work at all , well maybe in some other part of the world but not here .
But in the end this was a truely awesome addition to anyone's apple and worth it's weight in gold for the true collecter!
The Apple-Cat II with 212 Upgrade card was awesome in it's day! This was the modem of choice when it came to phreaking , conference call startups and all around BBS call ups and transfering software from files to whole disks back in the day! Funny , I still remember watching a friend of mine startup a conference call using The Cat's Meow and made it look so simple! Also the touch tone decoder chip was a blast also! When ever someone was on a voice call in a conference and you heard them pick up the phone to dial out and all you heard was the touch tone tones , I would just click on Pick Up on my Apple-Cat II and the tones would transfer over to numbers on my screen! Funny trick but nice to have. I have 3 excellent condition sets of Apple-Cat II's and 212 upgrades , ofcourse this technology is all but gone really , not even sure it would work with a standard dial up line any more :O( . I think the 2600 meg tone would be a dead give away to any up to date operator and it probably would not work at all , well maybe in some other part of the world but not here .
But in the end this was a truely awesome addition to anyone's apple and worth it's weight in gold for the true collecter!
So what you are saying is I should make a nice plexi case for the card to display with a sign that says....
"Phone Freaking 101, get a Novation Cat 212"
Corey,
lol
Your response reminds me of the movie "Heartbreak Ridge", when the Marine Corp. Major tells Gunny Highway that he should be placed in a glass case with a sign that says "In Case of War Break Glass".
Although I think in the case of a modem it would say "In Case of EMP Break Glass".
lol.. I think it depends on the value that you put on it , or what it truely means to you :O) some people have had alot of phun over the years using it , some would rather say what ever and move on . it's up to you.