G.JOESMITH@SU-SCORE.ARPA (Joe Smith) (09/07/85)
Having a portable computer with a direct-connect internal modem is really great - until you try to use it at a pay phone in the airport. The modular jack does not connect to public telephones. I found one device that overcomes this problem (and it needs to be advertized more). It is the acoustic adapter that 3M sells with their WhisperWriter portable terminals. Model 1490 acoustic coupler connects the 3M teleprinter to public phone lines through a telephone handset. It is recommended for applications where direct connection to phone lines is either nott practical or not desirable. The device consists of a pair of rubber cups, a modular jack, and a battery powerred audio amplifier set. You simply run a 3-foot modular line from it to your PC, and put the pay telephone's handset in it. Price is less than $80, it works with 300 and 1200 baud internal modems, and should work at 2400. In the Silcon Valley, the distributer is 3M Data Systems (408)866-8811. -------