FAX EQUIPMENT AND CIRCUITS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85-00024R000400010001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 22, 2007
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 16, 1982
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/10/22 : CIA-RDP85-00024R000400010001-5
16 December 1982
MEMORANDUM TO: Chief, Panama Bureau
SUBJECT : FAX Equipment and Circuits
The following summarizes Panama Bureau's investigations to date of locally-
obtainable FAX equipment and the circuits to serve it.
1. Bureau Chief Engineer) (recently obtained from INTERCOMSA/
Panama City a list of charges for a FAX-quality satellite circuit to Mexico City.
The rates, quoted by TELECOMEX/Mexico City for a "half segment" (the Mexican end
of the circuit) are 231,562 pesos/month ($3308 at the present exchange rate of
70 pesos/dollar) for the satellite circuit; 875 pesos/mo ($12.50) for two uniden-
tified "stations" and 327.5 pesos/mo ($4.68) for two "terminals"--we interpret
these to be related to full duplex modems; a one-time TELECOMEX connection charge
of 656 pesos ($9.37); and a one-time TELEMEX line connection charge of 1,200 pe-`
SOS ($17.14). Total monthly charges at the Mexican end are thus $3,325, an annual
rate of $39,000. The service is promised for 30-60 days from the request, "depend-
ing on the availability of lines at the centrals." The Panama half of this sat-
ellite circuit would cost $3,875/mo, $46,500 per year. Additional Panama charges
are unclear at this time. Total circuit charges are thus some $85,500 annually,
about $10,000 cheaper than projected in our July 1982 Mexico City remote proposal.
2. As to the FAX equipment itself, we have found that no one in Panama City
is familiar with "Nefax" equipment, let alone able to maintain it. There are lo-
cal dealers for Canon, Panasonic and Rapicom (see attached list). We talked with
them all, looking at products, prices and service.
3. The Canon 601 was tested on the Bureau's dedicated microwave circuit to
Managua and the results were disappointing. The resulting copy was unreadable.
This test is considered inconclusive, however, because the circuit was experienc-
ing line problems throughout the test period. The Canon 401, offering a higher
baud rate, was unavailable for testing, but renewed contacts should be made to at-
tempt some kind of test similar to that used with Rapicom. Canon FAX is sold with
a 1-year parts and service warranty, followed by a choice of two service contracts;
only service (customer pays for parts) at 5% of purchase price, or service+parts,
at 10%. A 10% purchase price reduction was offered as a duty-free customer.
4. The local Panasonic representative has an inoperative Panafax OF-520 de-
monstrator which he has not been able to have fixed because of inadequate mainte-
nance support.
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5. The Rapicom dealer offers several varieties of FAX equipment and provides
extensive post-sales support. Prices seem reasonable compared to other FAX, spares
are available and maintenance service is rapid.
a. The Rapicom 1500 is a 4,800-baud machine compatible only with other
Rapicom FAX equipment. We have seen the 1500 demonstrated over microwave
circuits to San Jose. The resulting copy was mostly readable, although fine
print was blurred and print faded excessively at the bottom of pages.
b. The Rapicom 3300 is a newer dry process machine compatible with any
CCITT Group 3 (high speed) or Group 2 (medium speed) FAX equipment, provid-
ing automatic transmission and receipt at a maximum rate of 9,600 bauds,
automatically testing line quality and stepping down to 4,800 or 2,400 bauds
as needed. Items will not transmit below line quality minimums, and receipt
is automatically logged at the transmit end. The 3300 also has a voice coor-
dination mode--in effect, an order wire for FAX coordination--and remote ter-
minal operations, which allows automatic initiation of document copying at
the distant site. We have seen the 3300 demonstrated over satellite circuits
to Asia and Latin America, where copy from magazine and newspaper print was
of excellent quality. We have been unable to conduct parallel tests over mi-
crowave circuits.
6. Rapicom cites a price for the 3300 of $7,735 FOB San Jose, Calif. Ship-
ping, handling and customs charges--eliminated if units were sent via FBIS chan-
nels--would add $200, for a total of $8,000 per unit. Maintenance, to include la-
bor and parts, is offered under contract for $1,500 per unit per year, serviced
in Panama City. We are assured that if multiple units are involved, spares would
be provided to replace units which had to be returned to Panama City for mainte-
nance.
STAT
Attachment:
list of local dealers
cc: C/FCS
C/Ops
q Irv) Fr__
Panama Bureau
utLn l er
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1-RANSMITTAL SLIP
DATE
5an 83
TO:
C/Ops
ROOM NO.
BUILDING
REMARKS:
cc of memo FYI on FAX Equipment and
Circuits
We haven't done any more testing
with Mexico City, per HQ instructions.
But we v been looking at the local
market.-
FROM:D/Chief - Panama Bureau
ROOM NO.
BUILDING
EXTENSION
Approved For Release 2007/10/22 : CIA-RDP85-00024R000400010001-5