Description
IBM 90X8796 MCA Internal 300/1200 Baud Modem Card 90X8797 Racal-Vadic
The IBM 90X8796 is an internal 300/1200 baud modem card manufactured by Racal-Vadic for IBM's Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus. It provides analog dial-up modem functionality for IBM PS/2 desktop systems via a single RJ-11 telephone port on the rear bracket. The secondary part number 90X8797 also appears on the board. The card carries Canadian CDOG certification and was built in Malaysia/Philippines per PCB markings.
Specifications & What's Included
- IBM Part Number: 90X8796
- Secondary Part Number / Sub-Assembly: 90X8797
- OEM Manufacturer: Racal-Vadic
- Bus Interface: MCA (Micro Channel Architecture) — full-length MCA card with blue retaining clips
- Data Rate: 300 / 1200 baud
- Connector: Single RJ-11 telephone jack on rear bracket
- Main UART: NS16450N (National Semiconductor, visible on PCB)
- Modem Controller: Zilog Z148-series IC (visible on PCB)
- Support ICs: AMI 8732MAG, multiple 74-series TTL logic (74F00, 74F02, 74F04, SN74LS164N, SN74LS373N, SN74ALSDOM series)
- PCB Sub-Assembly: B1417-904
- Certifications: UL Listed, Canadian CDOG certification
- Included: Card only — no cables or documentation
Applications
The IBM PS/2 product line, introduced in 1987, used the proprietary Micro Channel Architecture bus in place of the ISA bus found in earlier PCs. MCA offered improved bus arbitration and faster throughput but was incompatible with standard ISA expansion cards, making PS/2-specific expansion cards like this modem necessary. The 90X8796 allowed PS/2 users to connect to dial-up bulletin board systems (BBS), online services such as CompuServe and Prodigy, and corporate mainframes or minicomputers via standard analog telephone lines. Racal-Vadic was a well-established modem manufacturer of the 1980s, known for producing OEM modem hardware for major computer vendors. Today this card is primarily of interest to vintage computing collectors, PS/2 system restorers, and hobbyists maintaining period-correct IBM PS/2 setups from the late 1980s to early 1990s.
This IBM 90X8796 MCA Internal 300/1200 Baud Modem Card (Racal-Vadic) was pulled from a working environment where it was previously in use. It has not been powered up or tested at our facility. The card appears to be in good used condition — the PCB is clean with no visible cracked traces, the RJ-11 bracket port is intact, and the MCA edge connector looks undamaged. Some light surface dust is present, typical of pulled surplus. Please view our photo set and contact us if you have any questions.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
IBM |
Model: |
90X8796 |
Secondary Model: |
90X8797 |
MPN: |
90X8796 |
SKU: |
7964 |
Type: |
Internal MCA Modem Card |
Manufacturer / OEM: |
Racal-Vadic |
Bus Interface: |
MCA (Micro Channel Architecture) |
Data Rate: |
300 / 1200 Baud |
Connector Type: |
RJ-11 (single telephone port) |
Form Factor: |
MCA Card / Half-Length |
Compatible With: |
IBM PS/2 MCA-bus systems |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
Malaysia / Philippines (per PCB markings) |
Condition Notes: |
This IBM 90X8796 MCA 300/1200 Baud Modem Card (Racal-Vadic) was pulled from a working environment and has not been tested at our facility. PCB is clean, RJ-11 port and MCA edge connector appear intact. Light dust typical of pulled surplus. |
California Prop 65 Warning: |
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, and DEHP (a phthalate), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Go to P65Warnings.ca.gov |
