mjw06513@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Mary Winters) (02/01/90)
I, too, have trouble with people picking up the phone while I'm on the line with my modem. In the Winter 90 issue of the DAK catalog (on the back of the postage paid order envelope) is an ad for the "Phone Slasher". From the outside, it looks just like a standard RJ11 "Y" adapter (one plug, two jacks) like you can buy for $5 at Radio Shack, with the exception of two colored LEDs sticking out of the top. The ad copy claims that by plugging your phone into one side and your answering machine into the other, simply picking up your phone will cut the answering machine off completely. It also mentions that by plugging a modem into one side and the phone into the other, it will no longer be possible for someone to pick up an extension and screw up your modem communications. My questions on this device are these: Is it safe? Is it legal? Is it worth the $9.90 DAK is asking for it? All the circuitry fits comfortably into a space less than 1 inch square - it can't be too difficult or costly to make. Does anyone have a schematic for a similar device that they would be willing to share? Many thanks.