This is the first video in a two parter for the Banksia Bit Blitzer. This is quite a slow modem clocking in at 2400 bps. You can’t get those levels of slow just anywhere you know. Model number found on the underside reads BBM124E-B2CL with a serial number of 303159.
Not the fastest, but the cool factor is pretty high on this modem. Look at all those LEDs! Everything was through-hole inside and it was amazing to replace the capacitors. This modem was purchased in May 2023 and was recapped, had the ROM dumped and was tested all in May 2023.
The ROM is dated 891210, so just before Christmas 1989. If you’re interested in the ROM, you can download it here. This was dumped using a TL866CS programmer. The PCB has the markings Banksia Bit Blitzer 124E/1234E-A which would imply that the same board was used on multiple models.
Above is part two following on from the video at the start of this post. Some of the components onboard seem to have date codes around mid-late 1990. To this unit would have shipped just short of a year after the firmware was ready.
Here’s the Arlec power supply that came with it running on 240V 50Hz power it steps it down a little to 9V AC at 500mA. Other markings on the power supply are APP. NO. V/79309/61227. You can find more photos over in the photo gallery.
Next up we have data from the modem itself and what might be a functioning AT string, probably found thanks to wvdialconf.
---------- 2023-05-27 16:19:13 +1000: Logging Started ---------- ATZ OK AT&FS0=0V1X3 OK ATI0 M1234EA V1.9 891210 OK ATI1 LOADED CHECKSUM = 8C CALCULATED CHECKSUM = 8C OK ATI2 OK ATI3 M1234EA V1.9 891210 OK ATI4 M1234EA V1.9 891210 OK ATI5 LOADED CHECKSUM = 8C CALCULATED CHECKSUM = 8C OK ATI6 OK ATI7 M1234EA V1.9 891210 OK ATI8 M1234EA V1.9 891210 OK ATI9 LOADED CHECKSUM = 8C CALCULATED CHECKSUM = 8C OK ATI10 OK ATI11 M1234EA V1.9 891210 OK ATI12 M1234EA V1.9 891210 ATDT1234567890 CONNECT 2400
Last but not least, we have the original capacitor values and what they were replaced with. The parts listed below are manufacturer part numbers. The formatting isn’t too web friendly, copy the raw text out and paste it into a non-rich text editor (Such as Notepad or TextEdit – in plain text mode) and you’ll probably be fine. 😄
Radial Electrolytic Location Value Voltage Dimensions Notes C2 220uF 16V 8mm (W) x 12mm (H) 25ZLG220MEFC8X11.5 - Rubycon ZLG Series, 25V upgrade C46 220uF 16V 8mm (W) x 12mm (H) 25ZLG220MEFC8X11.5 - Rubycon ZLG Series, 25V upgrade C43 10uF 16V 5mm (W) x 11mm (H) 50YXF10MEFC5X11 - Rubycon YXF Series, 50V upgrade C7 10uF 16V 5mm (W) x 11mm (H) 50YXF10MEFC5X11 - Rubycon YXF Series, 50V upgrade C21 10uF 16V 5mm (W) x 11mm (H) 50YXF10MEFC5X11 - Rubycon YXF Series, 50V upgrade C3 33uF 16V 5mm (W) x 11mm (H) EEU-FR1V330B - Panasonic FR Series, 35V upgrade C8 33uF 16V 5mm (W) x 11mm (H) EEU-FR1V330B - Panasonic FR Series, 35V upgrade C18 33uF 16V 5mm (W) x 11mm (H) EEU-FR1V330B - Panasonic FR Series, 35V upgrade C20 33uF 16V 5mm (W) x 11mm (H) EEU-FR1V330B - Panasonic FR Series, 35V upgrade C31 33uF 16V 5mm (W) x 11mm (H) EEU-FR1V330B - Panasonic FR Series, 35V upgrade C9 1000uF 25V 12mm (W) x 20mm (H) 35ZLH1000MEFC12.5X20 - Rubycon ZLH Series, 35V upgrade C10 1000uF 25V 12mm (W) x 20mm (H) 35ZLH1000MEFC12.5X20 - Rubycon ZLH Series, 35V upgrade C11 1000uF 25V 12mm (W) x 20mm (H) 35ZLH1000MEFC12.5X20 - Rubycon ZLH Series, 35V upgrade
This modem has been donated to the Australian Computer Museum Society (ACMS).
since sometime in the mid-1990s. We are powered by a 