Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!olivea!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!385!14.0!Ann.Stalnaker
From: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: SOMETIMES I LIKE MA BELL!
Message-ID: <16055@handicap.news>
Date: 17 Jun 91 15:28:19 GMT
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Reply-To: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org
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Index Number: 16055

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Hi Vixen,

 > . ANNIE S.> However, there is a new Krown unit out that
 >             has a built-in switch that will handle the
 >             often scrambled messages that line noise/static
 >             causes.
 > . That sounds kind of neat. I am fortunate to be able to
 > . say that line noise is not something I really have ever
 > . had a problem with using either TDD. Then again, I make
 > . few long distance calls.  But, locally, I have really
 > . had no problems.  Perhaps I am in an area with exceptionally
 > . clean lines?

Perhaps I need to clarify this a bit - not all TDD's are compatible
with each other which can often cause the scrambled messages to
come across the screen.  Somestimes you can clear them up by hitting
your shift keys but not always.  Also, since so many of the newer
TDD's have built-in answering machines, they don't always come through
clearly when first answered - this is a major problem with most
relay services when they put you on hold for the next available
operator.  I think this switch is going to be real handy in this
case.  I've also noticed that there can be microwave interference
or even radar interference from police cars that will affect the
transmission of messages on a TDD.  I've used many different
TDD's in the past 15 years and thought when the C-Phone came out,
we had it made.  The C-Phone company has gone belly up (a few years
back) and was never FCC approved but I think my mother has to be
the only one who has one still working (in fact, we finally found
an engineer who works for Telos in Lawton to repair the 3 we have).
It's really a nice unit since it has a 26 line monitor with a computer
size keyboard, but is a bit too bulky as it's all one piece and
weighs around 15 lbs.

 > . I don't know, somehow I don't see the phone companies
 > .passing out CPU's too easily.

I thought California's DHS handled the distribution of TDD's,
even though the phone companies handle the billing part of the
surcharge tax which also pays for the relay service.  Perhaps
I'm mistaken on this - I just seem to recall when we first set
up the one for Oklahoma, we tried to follow pretty much the
same guidelines that California uses.   The Advisory Committee
for Hearing Impaired Services in Oklahoma has been working on
several proposals for laptops with built-in 1200 baud modems
but so far, it's still in the planning stage.  The surcharge
tax that each phone customer pays would provide the funds for
(in fact, there's a surplus in the TDD/Relay Service account
right now - has been for almost a year, so we aren't paying
the tax right now) this proposal.

--
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