How to use modem commands to dial multiple numbers

Factual Questions
1

I have a long list of numbers for a company that I have to dial out to see if anyone answers (fax, person, VM, no answer, busy, modem, ect.). The list of numbers is in excel.

I want to know if I could use basic modem commands to do the actual dialing and just listen to the speaker to determine what answers if anything.

Something like

M1L2ATDT (1st number)
M1L2ATDT (2st number)
M1L2ATDT (3st number)

Where IIRC
M1 turns the modem speaker on, L2 will set speaker to high volume, ATDT will dial and wait for carrier.

Also what program can I use w/ such a long list of numbers?

2

A CrossTalk script or ProComm script from the old days would do it just fine. You would have to interrupt if it hit a modem though, as it would want to sync up and stay on that modem.

You would have to pull the numbers out of Excel though, to use those scripts.

3

You’re close. Everything has to start with “AT” (which means “Attention”). What you want is:

ATL3M2DT(phone number)

AT = Attention
L3 = High volume
M2 = Speaker always on (M1 turns it off after connection to another modem)

Personally I’d do it with linux, but then linux is my hammer and every problem looks like a nail. If you’re a MS-DOS guy, I’d use cygwin (which is really bash (again unix) on Windows). If cygwin isn’t any good, I’d use 4nt, which is an enhanced command.com. If 4nt isn’t your thing, I’d use command.com

4

Some thoughts: You only need to set the speaker settings once at the beginning. Also, H0 = on hook (hang up), H1= off hook. +++ = off line and back to AT mode (see details in modem manual)

You can try this with Hyperterminal (comes with Windows):

Connect directly to modem COM port

ATM2L3 <return>

ATH0DT1234576 <return>
(X second pause, listen)
+++ (returns to command mode if the modem was online with other modem)
ATH0DT8765648 <return>
(X second pause, listen)
+++ (returns to command mode if the modem was online with other modem)
ATH0DT5765456 <return>
etc
You see it is quite repetitive

This is easily to automate using the old Xtalk, procomm or any other script. I do not know if hyperterminal allows scripts but even the DUN allows scripts.

5

I got a method that will work, would like suggestions on how to optimize it. the code, which is a dos batch file is as follows:

This is not without its problems, the biggest one is the double enter which is requires between dial attempts, if done too quickly it will skip over the next number and go to the one after that. Also I am hoping that I can use excel’s export feature along with find and replace to automate the redundant characters.

6

I got a method that will work, would like suggestions on how to optimize it. the code, which is a dos batch file is as follows:

This is not without its problems, the biggest one is the double enter which is requires between dial attempts, if done too quickly it will skip over the next number and go to the one after that. Also I am hoping that I can use excel’s export feature along with find and replace to automate the redundant characters.