This is, for the record, a case of User Brain Damage.  I've never met a
modem that defaulted to CTS/RTS and would not operate at all without
handshaking enabled.  Apparently this is the norm for PCMCIA modems.
The Megahertz modem works fine if I use kermit to configure the line,
speed, and (most importantly) flow control.  *sigh*

I really didn't need that hair...

Thanks to the people who replied to me about this.  I don't think anyone
mentioned flow control, though...  ;-)

-allen

-- 
                    Allen Briggs - briggs@ninthwonder.com