Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!mixcom!sysop
From: sysop@mixcom.UUCP (System Operator)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: Use a auto-answer modem and answering machine on one line?
Summary: My experience with one of the boxes
Message-ID: <270@mixcom.UUCP>
Date: 5 Sep 90 16:21:59 GMT
References: <1990Aug31.034046.5793@xavax.com> <6306@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU>
Reply-To: sysop@mixcom.UUCP (System Operator)
Organization: MIX Communications, Milwaukee, WI (Public Access)
Lines: 31

>to run a modem, fax, answering machine and voice all on one line :-).
>
>But seriusly, having two lines, one for fax/modem and the other for the
>voice links sounds O.K. 

I bought, and will shortly try to return, a box that is supposed to
switch between fax, modem and telephone.  Does it work?

NO and YES

Does it work the way I want it to work?  NO!  A modem cannot call
the box using the method usually used and get routed to a modem
rather than telephone.  

These boxes cannot tell when a "normal" modem calls, and routes the
call to a telephone.  The modem in some fax machines send a tone
when calling another fax.  The box uses that tone to determine that a
fax is calling.

Some modems can be configured to send a tone when calling.  But not
all, and probably not the cheap ones (which we all have, right?).
Normally the answering modem sends the tone modems use to negotiate
baud rate.

My opinion:  Can you use one of these boxes to share a telephone
line between modem and telephone on a BBS?   NO.

Dean
-- 
    Milwaukee Information eXchange (MIX), public access *NIX/Usenet
        MIX Communications, P.O. Box 17166, Milwaukee, WI 53217