SPGDCM@CMSA.BERKELEY.EDU (05/13/87)
MSG:FROM: SPGDCM --UCBCMSA TO: NETWORK --NETWORK 05/13/87 13:52:32
To: NETWORK --NETWORK Network Address
From: Doug Mosher <SPGDCM at UCBCMSA>
Title: MVS/Tandem Systems Manager (415)642-5823
Office: Evans 257, Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
Subject: inside wiring
To: telecom@xx.lcs.mit.edu
Regarding the inquiry on how to home-wire:
If you have standard single-party home lines, and standard single-line home
phones, the wiring itself is pure simplicity: two wires from the telco feed in
parallel to each outlet. Buy outlets and wires in local grocery store. Buy a
polarity red-green light from radio shack and reverse the two wires if you get
a red light.
Don't do it at all if it involves: two or more party lines; pay phones; public
use; weird equipment; homemade things plugged into power lines or other
appliances (unless those things are themselves unmodified and FCC registered).
Get into more work if you want multiple lines, fancy equipment, intercom,
whatever.
Make sure you can disconnect your house from telco, leaving a single standard
modular outlet with proper polarity, if you think the telco service is broke.
I do this with two modular wall outlets and a short modular jumper.
Books are available in radio shacks and electronics stores, probably
bookstores too. They just tell how; it seems you can ignore a lot of spooky
and unelucidated threats regarding tariffs and whatever if you avoid the
restrictions listed above.
The REAL problem is not the circuitry or tariffs, its the utmost magic
ingenuity required to run the little wires from point x to y in your house.
Depending on the situation this runs from easy and obvious, to imaginative, to
very ugly. Most classic telco installers had the tools and knowledge to do
this pretty easily. Nowadays you can use "electricians" but they until now are
used to running ROMEX fat wires; even harder; but they may not yet be used to
the tricks possible with skinny wires. They have a tendency to want to remove
wallboards (you plaster and repaint afterward.)
Compare costs for each if possible. If you are doing new construction, major
remodelling, or a big job, consider running: at least 3 pairs, maybe 6 or 12
pair cable; and maybe standard tv coax. Use the coax for cable tv, remote vcr
hookups, and one leg of the future. Use the other pairs for additional telco
lines, home security, intercoms, stereo audio, and the other leg of the
future. Madmen would suggest you also run a fiber optic cable. First of all
they're madmen; second of all the TYPE of fiber will change before you'd ever
use it.
Thanks, Doug
>Fthoube hbe hbo