🚀 go-pugleaf

> In article <rSN7jBAzxX$yEwcm@darob.demon.co.uk>
>            dave@darob.demon.co.uk "Dave Roberts" writes:
> 
> } I'm struggling here, can anyone please help?
> }
> } I'm trying to use an answer machine and a fax/modem on a single line
> } with a FAX Friend to route voice and fax calls between the two without
> } much success.
> }
> } Has anyone had experience with the same or a similar set up?

I have used a FaxLink (similar, I think to a FAXFriend) without too many 
problems.

First, the FaxLink is set to answer after 4/8/12 rings, depending on how near 
you are to the phone - so you can get to it without anything else jumping in.

Second, the answering machine needs to be configured (port 1 on the FaxLink) 
so calls are first directed to the answering machine. The answer machine 
needs to be set to answer after the minimum number os rings (in my case 2). 
The message on the answering machine needs to be short - because, if the 
FaxLink then detects fax call and switches to the fax/modem, the time left for 
training between the two faxes before the calling fax gives up in disgust 
and times out can be short.

Third, the fax/modem needs to be set to answer after one ring and needs to go 
straight into the fax negotiation process. It is best to set the fax/modem to 
a maximum receive rate of 9600, after all, you aren't paying for the call ;) - 
this gives best chance of training working. The fax emulation software needs 
to be ready loaded and waiting for action.

If it is a fax, the FaxLink does the switch automatically to the fax/modem on 
port 2, cutting off the phone, even if you have answered it manually.

The only real problem I have had has been with too long an outgoing message on 
the answerphone resulting in timeouts (mainly from faxes from fax machines in 
USA).

When I thought I could get rid of the FaxLink because I had upgraded from 
a sportster 14.4 to a Sportster Voice, and could use just the Voice modem as 
an answering machine and a fax/modem, I discovered I was wrong. 
The Sportster Voice is not very good as a fax/modem (even when set to slow 
receive speeds) and doesn't seem able to receive faxes successfully from 
several different fax machines both in UK and Europe (the Voice modem has even 
been upgraded to the latest specification by USR).
So now I have the Sportster Voice as an answer machine, the FaxLink, and the 
Sportster 14.4 as the fax (since it never has problems receiving faxes !). I 
have found winFax v4 to be better fax software than either Supervoice or 
Quicklink.


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John Blackmore
johnb@infonol.demon.co.uk
www.infonol.demon.co.uk
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