At 11:30 AM 05/18/10, you wrote: >Some people have successfully fought their local phone company, >using the argument that amateur radio is specifically NOT a business >(citing Part 97), and gotten residential or other cheaper rates than >the business line rate. OTOH, some phone companies have refused to >accomodate hams, stating that the tower location is obviously not a residence.
This mighthelp: <http://www.repeater-builder.com/pix/Pacific-Bell-autopatch-press-release.JPG> but it's about 20 years old. If you have internet at the site, I'd use a Grandsteream Handytone 286 VOIP adapter and a BYO hardware VOIP vendor. The Grandstream is a black box with three connections on it - power in, ethernet and RJ11 and is 4x2.5x1.5 inches. It sells for about $30-35. It uses a +5vDC wall wart for power, has a built in web server for configuration, and gives you an RJ11 to connect to your autopatch. I got mine from <http://www.voipsupply.com/grandstream-gs-286> Disclaimer - not connected to them, just a satisfied customer. Depending on your network environment you might want to use the <http://www.voipsupply.com/grandstream-gs-486> as it can prioritize the traffic... Or bring the phone in via a duplex link channel. See this: <http://www.repeater-builder.com/tech-info/remotepatch.html> If you are line of site from the repeater to a residence, just put the patch (a Heathkit HD15 is cheap) on a couple of Hamtronics boards on 420 and 439 MHz at your house, and a matching set at the site. Use a PL tone on the uplink to indicate ring signal, and a PL on the downlnk to control off-hook. Been there, done that, have the Pacific Bell logo baseball cap. >Try contacting your nearest ARRL volunteer counsel... he might try >writing a carefully drafted letter on your behalf. Letters from >lawyers often get better results than letters from Joe Ham... So true. An acquaintance years ago had a travel trailer behind the office building of his dad's company parking lot. The only reason he was able to get a residential line was that he had a bed, stove and TV in the trailer despite that he used the toilet and shower in the office building (those three items were what Pac Bell used as a go / no go test). Ma Bell actually sent out a person to inspect the trailer. >George, KA3HSW / WQGJ413 Mike WA6ILQ
