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From: rfg@hound.UUCP (R.GRANTGES)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Loud telephone clicks
Message-ID: <1031@hound.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 27-Mar-85 09:37:08 EST
Article-I.D.: hound.1031
Posted: Wed Mar 27 09:37:08 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 28-Mar-85 02:10:51 EST
References: <7583@rochester.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 29

[]
The clicks you are hearing are most likely the result of battery
reversals which sometimes occur when old, antique, non-bell
switching equipment is being used. Like did where your phone resides
recently purchase somebodies loss-leader PBX?  What you need is not a low
pass filter, because the transients may be 48-96 volt impulses, but
rather something known as a click suppressor. I used to carry one
around with me from phone to phone (even at Bell Labs they used to
use old antiquated equipment in some locations). But modern phone
designs incorporate these devices. I surmise that your phone itself
is either non-AT&T or of a very old design. If it isn't, complain.
If it is, you can try complaining. Maybe Radio Shock carries something
useful. A click supressor amounts to two diodes pointing at each other,
with relatively low reverse breakdown voltages. Thus they clip the 
tops off of spikes. I see I still have two in my desk drawer (not
used for 23 years). THey are both Western Electric. One says: D166277
Varistor(2/53), the other says: 33L (Varistor, presumably)(6-57). You
can see how old they are from the manufacture dates. They need to be
installed across the earpiece, but this is accessible inside the base,
or used to be. 
Unscrew your earpiece and see if there isn't one already hooked across
the back of the receiver. If there is a funny looking metal thing
shaped vaguely like a large aspitin tablet, that's it.
Good Luck.


-- 

"It's the thought, if any, that counts!"  Dick Grantges  hound!rfg