VF>     1) Run a standard phone cord from one modem to the other
VF> making sure they are plugged into the RJ11 jacks normally used to
VF> connect each modem to MaBell.

VF>     2) Load a communications program on one machine, get to
VF> the terminal screen and type:

VF>          ATX1D

CH> I know what you are getting at here, Vernon, and it would work, if
CH> the lines had any voltage on them to carry the signals.  No juice,

it does over here and has every time i've done it since late '83 or
'84... the modems do provide the juice... the question is how long is
the line you are trying to use? the above method is only good for 10' or
so... anything more and there is too much line loss...

CH> no circuit.  I've been told to use a 6 volt battery in the loop,
CH> that should solve any of my future problems.

this is true, though i forget if it has to go in series or parallel...
parallel i think... then you need to also ensure that you get the
positive on the proper ring or tip side... been too long... hummm...

  RED = RING = RIGHT side
  phone co uses a positive ground

hummm... can't locate my books and can't remember which, tip or ring, is
ground... ring i think but ... :(

)\/(ark