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From: annala%neuro.usc.edu@usc.edu (A J Annala)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: The LAW vs. Telephone Access Devices
Message-ID: <10844@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 14 Aug 90 03:32:41 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 569, Message 7 of 12


I do some data communications technician type contracting work from
time to time (e.g. installing modems, analog line testing, protocol
analysis, etc).  There have been notes on the network about police
confiscating equipment of the type I often use in my work.  These
devices include ATT Craft Test Set, Progressive Electronics 200B
Inductive Amplifier, Dracon D814 Impact Tool, and a Progressive 77M
Tone Generator.  The police claim is that such devices are telephone
access devices which should not be in the hands of the public.  I am
curious about whether any other technical people have been challenged
by the police and what answer has satisfied them to go away without
hassle.

All of these devices can be purchased over the counter or by mail at
very reasonable prices from Graybar Electric Company, 210 S. Anderson
Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (213)265-7000.  In this context it
appears to be to be completely ludicrous to claim these tools must not
be found in the possession of members of the public.  They are
ordinary tools.


AJ