Thanks, NOBODY has ever been able to answer my question on this
subject, you've made me a very happy man!

the line in my /etc/ttys reads...

tty02   "/usr/libexec/getty std.38400"  unknown off softcar

Now I can access the modem even with CD low!

cheers!
jam

 ----------
From: mbell
To: JohnAM; netbsd-help
Subject: RE: Modem problems
Date: Thursday, September 07, 1995 5:46PM

Setting the "softcar" flag of the appropriate entry in /etc/ttys will
allow you to access the modem without a carrier being present.  Brute
forcing the CD line on the modem will make proper dial-up handling
impossible -- the caller will hang up, but the line will remain open,
which is not very secure.  :-)

Max