Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!oucsace!bwhite
From: bwhite@oucsace.cs.OHIOU.EDU (Bill White)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: "Caller ID" signal detection.
Summary: Do "homebrew caller ID boxes" really exist?
Message-ID: <1417@oucsace.cs.OHIOU.EDU>
Date: 31 May 90 18:47:44 GMT
References: <235@ulticorp.UUCP> <2387@rsiatl.UUCP> <1990May22.151642.18729@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: Ohio U, home of the mighty Hocking River!
Lines: 23

In article <1990May22.151642.18729@utzoo.uucp> henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) writes:
>
>You will also need to sign up for Caller ID, and pay whatever monthly fee
>the local phone company feels like charging for it.  Assuming, that is,
>that it's available in your area.  Stories claiming that (a) it is available
>everywhere, and/or (b) it is available free, are just that:  stories.  Old
>switching gear can't do it at all, and you better believe the phone company
>wants money for it.

	I've heard (from several people) of "homebrew" caller-ID boxes that
worked entirely by themselves, ie no phone company modifications were
needed.  I seem to recall that they had something to do with sending
certain frequencies.  Or is this a myth?  If so, it's a very persistent one.

	Also, does anyone know what the fourth wire in standard telephone
hookups is for?



-- 
|   Bill White			Internet: bwhite@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu	|
|	BUCY'S LAW:							|
|		Nothing is ever accomplished by a reasonable man.	|