Jeff Sicherman <sichermn@beach.csulb.edu> (04/10/91)
I'm not sure what kind of device to ask for, so maybe if I describe the problem/application: We have a PC power controller/protection device with the capability to power up on detection of ring signal on a phone line to which which it is is connected (via modular jack). The line is then chained to the modem. We have a four-line 1A2 phone system (no laughing !) and the modem is currently connected to the phone system through a (discontinued) Radio Shack box that allows one modular device to be connected to any one of five possible lines at a time through depressing any one of five buttons. This is fine for normal business hours - release all buttons to avoid modem interference with normal voice use of the phone line, or turn off the modem. However, we would like to use the remote power-up feature of the power controller to activate the system after hours. I know there is a straightforward manual solution: have someone set the adaptor switch appropriately before leaving for the day. However, some of the people involved are somewhat scatter-brained and forgetful and I would like a somewhat more foolproof approach. Another, dedicated phone line is also not an option at this time. What I would like is some kind of timer-driven setup that routes the phone line to the power-controller after hours and disables this connection when normal business hours resume. I have no idea what kind of equipment or kludge would do this. [ I know there is a software solution: leave the computer on and use a clock driven TSR (this is a PC) to adjust the modem to auto-answer or not, or alternatively, answer itself when ring is detected. This is NOT the desired solution at this point, however; we don't want the system left on all night, every night. ] Thanks for any sugggestions. Jeff Sicherman P.S. Looking for used, touch-tone, 1A2 phones and boxes in good working condition (for use, not resale). Will pay a nominal amount and any shipping for your obsolete junk gathering dust. Hey, what can I say, we're traditionalists.
macy@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> (04/15/91)
In article <telecom11.283.2@eecs.nwu.edu> you write: > I'm not sure what kind of device to ask for, so maybe if I describe > the problem/application: > We have a PC power controller/protection device with the capability > to power up on detection of ring signal on a phone line to which which > it is is connected (via modular jack). The line is then chained to the > modem. > We have a four-line 1A2 phone system (no laughing !) and the modem > is currently connected to the phone system through a (discontinued) > Radio Shack box that allows one modular device to be connected to any > one of five possible lines at a time through depressing any one of > five buttons. I never laugh at 1A2. I've literally installed thousands of 1A2 sets over the years. Simple, but reliable. We install 1A2 systems behind PBX's in police departments and radio station studios to this day. That's about it, though. Well, actually all you need is a relay in line with the phone line to the computer from the RS multiline adapter. I'd use a little RS timer or something. How about a $5 RS lamp timer, with a 110VAC DPDT relay, with a line cord plugged into the timer and phone cords on its terminals ... maybe something a little more fancy to allow use all day Sat and Sun, too. If you are uncomfortable with construction of this, I could give you a hand ... it'd be kinda fun ... I've built several items like this for our customers over the years. You'd be surprised at some of the special assemblies I've made up to work behind 1A2 over the years, most of which would simply not be possible behind anything else. > P.S. Looking for used, touch-tone, 1A2 phones and boxes in good > working condition (for use, not resale). Will pay a nominal amount and > any shipping for your obsolete junk gathering dust. Hey, what can I > say, we're traditionalists. You've come to the right place. Exactly what type do you want? State: 1 - color. 2 - numbers off bottom of phone. 3 - manufacturer of set. Most touch tone phones have a model number that starts with a 2. For instance 280045-OBA-40M would be a typical ITT number for a ten button set. I have a few ten buttons left. I sell them off at hamfests. I'm going to haul them to the Dayton hamfest on 4/26, so get your order in now. I'll sell them for $10 used, $20 new + shipping, this covers my cost of opening up and testing each set. I also have a few six button sets. (And even a few rotary dial sets, too ...) At hamfests I sell them for $5 more. (No shipping, though.) (No doubt others on the net have a few to spare, too. I hear John Higdon has a roomful to spare. David Lesher has quite a few, too, but probably cannot find them right now.) The only reason I do this is that I've worked with them for twenty years and its kinda fun for me to get back to 1A2 once in a while. At the office it all electronic PBX's, key systems and networks ... hardly a relay in the bunch. I also have a lot of other 1A2 parts: key cells, cards, intercoms and such. I might have some keystrips and speakerphones, too. Need any? BTW - I have a Panasonic KXT308 Key System in by house, with a four line 1A2 and six button sets in my computer room ... just 'cuz I like them, too. My sons like the Panasonic phones better because they have a digital display and speakerphone. I'm happy with my 2564 set ... it feels like a real phone to me. The Panasonics are pretty nice though. Macy M. Hallock, Jr. macy@fmsystm.UUCP macy@NCoast.ORG uunet!aablue!fmsystm!macy