Airport extreme base station or Apple modem?

[AylmerQc]

I'm looking to get the Phone Valet software for home tel. answering but need a modem. I see the Apple usb modem only get a few stars in the reviews I've read,so I'm not sure how good or reliable they are. I thought maybe the Airport extreme base station with Modem might do but not sure. Some are selling on Ebay at a reasonnable price but without the power supply. Anyone know what voltage these are and the connector polarity configuration? Anybody have a modem or base station for sale at a reasonable price?

[Dan Millar]

It all depends what you need the modem for - so what did you want to use it for? Base Station modems are for making an internet connection when your ADSL/cable fails, or when modem is your only choice for internet connection, not for sharing as a fax/modem - someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I've never seen an Apple base station used this way. Does Phone Valet have some magic up its log sleeves? I love the product, by the way.

If you need a modem, I hate to say it, but I have several available, all external models, no USB models though. they all require a serial connection or serial/USB converter.

Anything selling without it's power adapter is usually stolen - beware! Just like the stupid car-radio thieves, most of these jackasses just grab the goods and go, cutting wires if necessary, leaving adapters behind, etc.

[ben schmidt]

I'm looking to get the Phone Valet software for home tel. answering but need a modem. I see the Apple usb modem only get a few stars in the reviews I've read,so I'm not sure how good or reliable they are. I thought maybe the Airport extreme base station with Modem might do but not sure. Some are selling on Ebay at a reasonnable price but without the power supply. Anyone know what voltage these are and the connector polarity configuration? Anybody have a modem or base station for sale at a reasonable price?

Jim,
If the Phone Valet worked with the modem-equipped Apple basestations, I think that'd be unusual enough that they'd mention it -- but I don't see any mention in their FAQ:

   http://www.phonevalet.com/home/specs.html

With regard to selecting a modem, the advantages of an Apple USB modem is that:

• you can be sure that is a hardware configuration that has been tested by Phonevalet; and
• you don't have the additional complication of having to deal with a USB-to-serial adapter and its drivers if connecting to a non-usb modem

Mind you, if you come across a free used modem, and if it's non-usb, a free keyspan serial-to-usb adaptor to go with it, Phonevalet provides a free downloadable PhoneValet System Check to test it.

...b