[comp.dcom.telecom] Line Status Indicator

macyh@usenet.ins.cwru.edu (04/11/90)

Several requests for Line Status Indicators have been posted in the
past.  I am aware of a couple of units on the market, but this one is
a new model and appears interesting:

Line Status Indicator is the given model name.  Literature shows unit
the about the size of a 42A block (roughly 2" square) with in and out
RJ11 type jacks on the back.  Display appears to be a small LCD type
on the narrow front (not the top).  Also stated: Lifetime guarantee.
Available in 2500 faceplate.

Crest Industries, Inc.    (800) 452-7378
201 Frontage Road N.  Suite B
Pacific, WA 98047

Notes on this subject:

I have always disliked line status indicators that operate off the
telephone line voltage due to (IMHO) too high LED current draw.  One
company (KLF) made a unit that blinked an LED to reduce the current
consumption, but I could always hear a faint "tic-tic" when the LED
flashed.  My limited hardware engineering abilities always told me
that a LCD might just be the ticket, as they have much lower current
draw than a LED ... and might be more visible in bright light.

I have not tried out this product yet.  I have purchased (and sold)
other Crest products and found them to be OK.  I thought this info
might be of general interest to the Digest readership...of course, I
have no interest in Crest ... just trying to be helpful.


Macy M. Hallock, Jr.     macy@NCoast.ORG         uunet!aablue!fmsystm!macy
F M Systems, Inc.      {uunet!backbone}!usenet.cwru.edu!ncoast!fmsystm!macy
150 Highland Drive      Voice: +1 216 723-3000 Ext 251  Fax: +1 216 723-3223
Medina, Ohio 44256 USA   Cleveland:273-3000 Akron:239-4994 (Dial 251 at tone)
(Please note that our system name is "fmsystm" with no "e", .NOT. "fmsystem")