From: billy_at_MIX.COM
Date: Mon Jan 04 1999 - 12:13:38 EST
Jukka Ketelaars <jj_at_joakim.pp.fi>
> > At least here in the US, there is 0.00% chance that a modem can
> > be successfully plugged into the HANDSET cord and even begin
> > to work. This is a VERY BAD idea. I doubt that it would work any
> > better in the UK. I'd be very careful of trying it.
> I've done this without problems in Holland, Finland and Sweden. The thing
> is, it's only save on a direct connection to the telephone network. If you
> suspect that the place where you're calling from has a digital switchboard,
> you'd better not try this
IBM at least used to sell a line testing device they call the "Modem
Saver" - very handy and about US$30. The best device I've found for
digital lines is called the "Modem Doubler" (http://warrior.com) -
it's inserted in the handset cord and is an active device using two
9v batteries (amplified) with a 4 position switch to compensate for
varying line quality. The only problem with it is dialing on digital
(as in Meridan) phones doesn't work, you have to do that by hand,
then tell the modem ATD or let a script do just that, no number, just
go off the hook, to initiate a call. 28k8 (V.34) works sometimes,
14k4 (V.32bis) works great all the time. Battery life is a few days
using it about 8 hours a day or it can be powered by an AC mains
supply such as can be bought at most electronics parts shops for a
few dollars.
Billy Y..
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