🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Aug19.024929.4021@u.washington.edu> newsman@milton.u.washington.edu (Chris Ricci) writes:


   I am seeking a solution to the following problem.  I am looking for a way to    run a BBS on the same phone line my personal calls come in on(Voice).  Being    the lowly poor college student, I have a limited budget, BUT.... I am a EE      student so I'm not an idiot and I could build a solution.  If anybody out there in computer land knows of any solution(Even one I'd have to build).  Could you  pleeeeeeeeeease... let me know. 


1. Get distinctive ringing, which goes by different names in different
Bell territories (Custom Ringing, Ident-a-ring, Smart Ring, Ringmaster,
or similar names). This service, which may have a set up charge and 
monthly fee from your local phone company, assigns a second 7 digit
number to you, and calls dialled to that number appear on the same
physical line you now have, except they announce themselves by a 
distinctive ring pattern. Instead of the standard 2 sec on - 4 sec off
pattern of standard ringing, the first additional number might 
sound like a split ring, like the British ring-ring ... pause ... ring-ring.
Then buy or hack up some hardware so incoming calls with that particular
ring pattern are directed to your modem. Or hack up your BBS software
so it only picks up calls with that ring cadence. 

2. Tell your modem callers to dial a touch-tone digit after dialling 
your 7 digit number. Your BBS callers should be instructed to use
the Hayes command atdt 555 1234 ,,,2,2,2. Each , creates a 2 second
wait. So after dialling your number, your caller's modem will wait
for a few seconds, then dial the digit 2 a few times. Now you can
buy or hack up some hardware that picks up incoming calls, has 
two outputs : phone and modem. It rings the former by default, 
and rings the latter if it sees the digit 2.

3. Tell your modem callers to go into reverse mode. The Hayes command
is atdt 555 1234 R. Their modem will dial your number, then emit the
high pitched (1KHz ?) tone. Buy or hack up some hardware that
picks up incoming calls, and listens for the tone.

IMHO, you're best off buying a commercial fax switch. Most of the 
better ones have three outputs, phone, fax and modem, and go 
for $100 - $150 if you shop around, especially check out mail order.
None of them are foolproof. The most transparent solution is #1
and commercial distinctive ring splitters should be $50 to $100.
 
If you decide to build hardware, you'll be re-inventing
the wheel, and it'll take you a few weeks. Depending on your
perspective, it could be an educational experience. 

/ Jon Sreekanth

Assabet Valley Microsystems, Inc.           |  Fax and PC products
5 Walden St #3, Cambridge, MA 02140         |  (617) 876-8019
jon_sree@world.std.com                      |