RS> Its pretty trivial to lash up. Basically the voltage on the phone
RS> line is quite high with all the phones on hook. If any phone is off
RS> hook the voltage on the phone line drops to a much lower one.

BL> So what do I do... hold the voltage up with the phone off hook? That
BL> doesn't sound too hard,

No, dont allow the phone to connect to the line when mummy picks the
phone up when the voltage on the phone line is low.

BL> but what happens when my mother tries to have a conversation with the
BL> modem?

She doesnt get to talk to the modem, she gets to talk on the phone just
as if it wasnt plugged into the wall. Depending on how much notice she
takes of what the other party says, she may be perfectly happy to have
given them their orders and you dont even incur a local phone charge.

RS> I was going to suggest one of the mag kits, but then you know they
RS> never work so there isnt much point in suggesting one of those.

BL> Us engibeers don't need mags to tell us how to hold the volts up.

Oh good, thats why I didnt refer you to it.

BL> We just hook it up to the mains with one of them silly-cum biodes.

Umm, Bob, it wont work like that.

--- PQWK202