TELECOM Digest     Thu, 7 Apr 94 12:17:00 CDT    Volume 14 : Issue 169

Inside This Issue:                          Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Alphanumeric Pager Software (Rob Lockhart)
    Re: Alphanumeric Pager Software (pdcchris@aol.com)
    Re: Specs For CDPD, Embarc, RAM, Ardis Wanted (Rob Lockhart)
    Re: Data Over Cellular (Lynne Gregg)
    Re: Dying Telephones (Charles L. Mclafferty)
    Re: FAX Mailbox Services (Ed Leslie)
    Re: PC Pursuit Has Ended (Steven H. Lichter)
    Re: Voice and Data Through PBX (William M. Davis)
    Re: April NPA Report (Hugh Pritchard)
    Re: Bellcore Goes Crypto (Robert Bonomi)
    Re: 976, 540 Services (Jay Hennigan)
    Re: 976, 540 Services (Mike King)
    Re: *999; CB Channel 9 (Jon Anhold)
    Re: *999; CB Channel 9 (David A. Kaye)
    Re: *999; CB Channel 9 (Gregory Youngblood)
    Re: Africa Telecom - Lunchbag Discussion (Bill Hofmann)
    Re: New LA Area Code (kris%sanctum%paladin@uunet.uu.net)
    Agents Wanted Outside USA (miked23887@aol.com)
    EDI Electronic Data Interchange (Joakim Westman)

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----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: rlockhart@aol.com (RLockhart)
Subject: Re: Alphanumeric Pager Software
Date: 07 Apr 1994 12:11:08 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)


In article <telecom14.150.10@eecs.nwu.edu>, nsayer@quack.kfu.com (Nick
Sayer) writes:

> Does anyone have a description of the protocol used by such
> software?  Not everyone is saddled with x86 ISA machines running an OS
> that was obsolete ten years ago at its introduction, which probably
> means we have to write our own software for alpha paging. If it's
> possible to write such a program ...

The TAP protocol's available through PCIA (the standard setting and
maintenance organization) at 202.467.4770.  I've also a thread that
covers the more commonly used parts of TAP and can POST it if you
like.  (It's a distilled version of the original spec we gave to
Telocator (now PCIA) several years back that formed the basis of TAP.)
However, If you don't feel like rolling your own, there're commercial
apps for everything from DOS/Win boxes, to Macs, to AS/400s, to
Mainframes, to even the little guys like HP100s and Atari Portfolios.

We publish a freebie called the Motorola Third Party Referral Guide to
Alpha and Data Paging that lists all the apps we know to exist in the
marketplace (horizontal and vertical markets and information services)
for both sending alpha and data pages to receiving them from such
wireless data receiving devices as our NewsStream and NewsCard.  The
Guide gets updated once a quarter or so and is available in electronic
form in Stuffed MacWord 5.1 (not readily convertable to W4W 6.0a).
Unfortunately it's not available on the I'net ('cause I'm 'FTP
challenged' <sigh>), but *is* available on CIS and AOL (04 March 94
edition).  (AppleLink has the previous 17 Sep 93 edition.)  'Course
the software interface specs for both our NewsStream and NewsCard are
also available on those services in the same formats.


Rob Lockhart   Resource Manager, Interactive Data Systems
(Home of the NewsStream, NewsCard, and Two-Way Paging)
Paging Products Group   Motorola, Inc.
Desktop:  Lockhart-EPAG06_Rob@Email.Mot.Com
Wireless I'net (< 1K characters):  Rob.Lockhart@RadioMail.Net
Wireless I'net (<32K characters):  Rob_Lockhart-ERL003E@Email.Mot.Com

------------------------------

From: pdcchris@aol.com (PDC Chris)
Subject: Re: Alphanumeric Paging Software
Date: 06 Apr 1994 12:25:01 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)


I think someone here was asking about where to get the protocol specs
for talking to alpha paging terminals.  Anyway, call PCIA (Personal
Communications Industry Association, formerly Telecator) at (202)
467-4770 and ask for info on TAP (Telecator Alphanumerice Paging) and
TDP (Telecator Data Paging protocol).  TAP is the older one supported
by everyone, TDP is very new and is still being implemented.


Chris

------------------------------

From: rlockhart@aol.com (RLockhart)
Subject: Re: Specs For CDPD, Embarc, RAM, Ardis Wanted
Date: 06 Apr 1994 22:16:05 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)


In article <telecom14.150.11@eecs.nwu.edu>, tom.kee@mccaw.com writes:

> Ardis is Native Mode for the device; MDC 4800/MG Protocol for the
> network ...

ARDIS also has pockets of RD/LAP, if memory serves.

> EMBARC not quite sure (Motorola in Boynton Beach, Florida).

Our EMBARC subsidiary doesn't publish it's protocols, but the main
input method *has* been X.400 EMail (although there's a proprietary
gateway, an MHS one, and an I'net one).  The output format is also
proprietary but is close to PCIA's TDP suite of protocols ... at least
on the output side (e.g., TRT and TMC).


Rob Lockhart, a Paging Motorolan

------------------------------

From: Lynne Gregg <lynne.gregg@mccaw.com>
Subject: Re: Data Over Cellular
Date: Wed, 06 Apr 94 12:57:00 PST


Terry Gilson (tgilson@eis.calstate.edu) noted:

> I think all of these units can trace their roots (through some kind of
> licensing fee) to a company called Telular, which has successfully
> defended it's patent on the dial-tone technology against quite a few
> companies.

In addition to Motorola and NEC, I've successfully used the Spectrum
product.  Actually, Telular has nothing to do with these interfaces,
though a number of companies license the Spectrum technology.  NEC and
Motorola developed their own data interfaces that are equipment
specific (that is they are designed to operate with specific phones
within their product lines and in Motorola's case, that interface may
be limited on the "device" end).


Regards,

Lynne

------------------------------

From: Charles L. Mclafferty <clm3c@curry.edschool.virginia.edu>
Subject: Re: Dying Telephones
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Thu, 06 Apr 1994 02:15:19 GMT


I believe his phones are getting hit by lightning. They had very
violent storms in Alabama two weeks ago, and the newer electronic
phones can be very sensitive to power surges.  Especially the 20Kv
kind.

I suggest that he may want to see if his NIU is grounded properly, but
even that won't help all the time.


Charles McLafferty   UVa Dept of Ed Studies   clm3c@virginia.edu

------------------------------

From: edleslie@apogee.ccs.yorku.ca (Ed Leslie)
Subject: Re: FAX Mailbox Services
Organization: York University
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 04:48:11 -0500


Lars Nohling (LNohling_+a_BSSI_+lLars_Nohling+r%REMSBSSI@mcimail.com)
wrote:

> Does anyone have any info on companies that provide a FAXMAIL service?

> What I am looking for is a FAX Number I can give out that receives
> faxes and then allows me to retrieve them from any fax machine by
> dialing up my code.

I think Delrina (the WinFAX people) are offering something like this
with 1-800 numbers(?). Their phone is 1-800-268-6082.


Ed

------------------------------

From: co057@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Steven H. Lichter)
Subject: Re: PC Pursuit Has Ended
Date: 6 Apr 1994 22:21:31 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)


I have now updated the signature file which is send out direct from
Freenet.

I just got signed up for Global Access which is like PCP. The best prt
is they are moving over to Tymnet which has many more outdials. The
cost is more, but I need it to run my system which is a hub.


Sysop: Apple Elite II -=- an Ogg-Net Hub BBS 
(909) 359-5338 12/24/96/14.4 V32/V42bis

------------------------------

From: tyton@crl.com (William M Davis)
Subject: Re: Voice and Data Through PBX
Date: 06 Apr 1994 11:43:47 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  (415) 705-6060  [login: guest]


Thomas Humphreys (trans-omega@mv.MV.COM) wrote:

> I have asked the question "Would you recommend running both voice and
> data (LAN) traffic through a PBX?" of 11 individuals. 4 said yes, 7
> said no.

Wouldn't this depend on the type of PBX?  I mean, we use an AT&T
System 75 and if LAN traffic is routed (not switched data calls)
through there would be system parameters I would explore along with
recommend methods ...


Mike Davis    Communication Technician
CSX Tranportation     Atlanta, Ga.   tyton@crl.com

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Apr 94 06:22 EST
From: Hugh Pritchard <0006348214@mcimail.com>
Subject: Re: April NPA Report


de@moscom.com (David Esan) notes, in his wonderful report on the NANP,

> ->  The NPA that is largest and is not splitting nor has plans, at this
>     time, to split, is 703.

The local (i.e., the Washington, D.C. metro area) media are reporting
that Bell Atlantic has indeed decided to split 703 -- northern Virginia.
Bell Atlantic says it has decided neither the exact geographical
boundaries, nor the NPA code.


Hugh Pritchard, Senior Systems Specialist
Smoke 'N Mirrors, Inc., Herndon, VA   hugh@snm.com

------------------------------

From: bonomi@eecs.nwu.edu (Robert Bonomi)
Subject: Re: Bellcore Goes Crypto
Organization: EECS Department, Northwestern University
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 01:17:00 GMT


In article <telecom14.159.2@eecs.nwu.edu>, Greg Trotter <greg@gallifrey.
ucs.uoknor.edu> wrote:

> In article <telecom14.150.1@eecs.nwu.edu> vantek@aol.com writes:

>> Surety Technologies welcomes developers and corporations who are
>> interested in testing the system and serving as beta sites for Digital
>> Notary software.  Call Surety Technologies, Inc.  at (201) 993-8178;
>> fax number is (201) 993-8748.  Information is also available on the
>> Internet at infonotary.com.
>              ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

> My system can't seem to find this place  ... and whois at internic seems
> clueless as well. Anybody have any updated information?

Simple typo.  try mailing to user 'info', at domain-name 'notary.com'
  -something- ate the "at"('@') symbol from the name.

------------------------------

From: jay@coyote.rain.org (Jay Hennigan)
Subject: Re: 976, 540 Services
Date: 7 Apr 1994 09:11:42 -0700
Organization: Regional Access Information Network (RAIN)


In article <telecom14.157.7@eecs.nwu.edu> johnl@iecc.com (John R
Levine) writes:

> Is there anywhere a list of surcharged prefixes in the U.S.?  In most
> places 976 is used for non-porn announcements, but the list of other
> surcharged prefixes seems to be large, growing, and largely
> undocumented.

I have the following, which is probably incomplete and out of date.  I
agree that such exchanges should be documented, as the numbering
scheme appears to be random throughout the country.  As to who is
going to do the documenting, that's a good question.

As things stand today, it may not be all that important to block these
numbers outside of one's state (or LATA), as there doesn't *appear* to
be a method of billing for them, and the IXCs will probably block them
anyway.

                     976 LOOK-ALIKE LIST

Location                  Area Code           Local Prefix

Maine                     207                 940
Massachusetts             413                 550,940
Massachusetts             508                 940
Massachusetts             617                 550,940
New Hampshire             603                 940
Rhode Island              401                 940
New York                  212                 540,550,970
New York                  315                 540,550,970
New York                  516                 540,550,970
New York                  518                 540,550,970
New York                  607                 540,550,970
New York                  716                 540,550,970
New York                  718                 540,550,970
New York                  914                 540,550,970
New York                  917                 540,550,970
Maryland                  301                 915
Maryland                  410                 915
Pennsylvania              215                 556
Pennsylvania              412                 556
Virginia                  703                 844
Minnesota                 507                 960
Ohio                      216                 931
Ohio                      513                 499
Nebraska                  308                 960
Nebraska                  402                 960
Louisiana                 504                 636
New Mexico                505                 960
Texas                     214                 703
Texas                     512                 766
Texas                     713                 766
Texas                     817                 892
Colorado                  303                 960
Colorado                  719                 898
South Dakota              605                 960
Utah                      801                 960
Wyoming                   307                 960
Arizona                   602                 676,960
Idaho                     208                 960
Washington                206                 960
District Columbia         202                 915


Jay Hennigan     jay@rain.org

------------------------------

From: mk@TFS.COM (Mike King)
Subject: Re: 976, 540 Services
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 1994 09:48:20 PDT


In TELECOM Digest, V14 #157, johnl@iecc.com (John R Levine) wrote:

> Is there anywhere a list of surcharged prefixes in the U.S.?  In most
> places 976 is used for non-porn announcements, but the list of other
> surcharged prefixes seems to be large, growing, and largely
> undocumented.

In Washington, DC, and the MD and VA suburbs, 976 is a surcharged
prefix that defaults to permitted on each telephone line, but blocking
can be installed for free by placing a phone call.

The prefix 915 is also a surcharged prefix; however, it is blocked by
default.  To get access, a request must be made to C&P (Bell Atlantic)
in writing.


Mike King    mk@tfs.com

------------------------------

From: jganhold@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Jon Anhold)
Subject: Re: *999; CB Channel 9
Date: 7 Apr 1994 01:54:19 GMT
Organization: The Ohio State University


In article <telecom14.164.7@eecs.nwu.edu>, Prof. Feedlebom <feedle@
kaiwan.com> wrote:

> A few police departments monitor channel 9 across the country, however 
> even at CB's peak that was not really who was monitoring.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol all have CB's in their cruisers. I
don't know if they're on channel 9, but I would assume they are either
there or on 19.

> If you need emergency assistance while travelling, don't depend on your
> CB radio.  Invest the $200 to buy a GOOD cellular phone, or pass the no-code
> Amateur license and use ham radio.  You'll be doing yourself a favor.
  ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^
Good plan ... 99.999% of the time there is someone around on 2m to
help you .. it's the only reason I have a 146MHz radio in the car..
(440MHz is SO much nicer!)

Jon N8USK, Northeastern Ohio ARES/Skywarn Net Control
Jon Anhold N8USK  (jganhold@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: 146 mhz is two meters, isn't it?  I see
a lot of that around here, and there are clubs operating repeaters.  PAT]

------------------------------

From: dk@crl.com (David A. Kaye)
Subject: Re: *999; CB Channel 9
Date: 7 Apr 1994 01:49:32 -0700
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  (415) 705-6060  [login: guest]


Andrew C. Green (ACG@dlogics.com) wrote:

> listening. I think it's reasonable to assume that in all the
> technology packed into those squad cars, particularly Highway Patrol
> cars, they probably have sprung an extra fifty bucks or so for a CB
> radio, or included the appropriate wavelengths in the tuners of

Squad cars of the Oregon State Police often monitor CB channel 9.  In
fact I was riding down I-5 when a trucker commented that he hoped
there wasn't an OSP car around because he hadn't had time to fake his
log book entries.  The truck was just behind me.  I heard another
voice on the channel suggesting the trucker pull over.  He said, "Who
are you kidding?"  The cop then turned on his red lights and said,
"I'm not kidding anyone."  He pulled over.

------------------------------

From: zeta@tcscs.com (Gregory Youngblood)
Subject: Re: *999; CB Channel 9
Date: Thu, 07 Apr 1994 06:57:00 PST
Organization: TCS Computer Systems


feedle@kaiwan.com (Prof. Feedlebom) writes:

> Jonathan (jdl@wam.umd.edu) wrote:

>> I am wondering why the police do not routinely monitor CB channel 9,
>> since the primary use of this channel is to report emergencies.

> A few police departments monitor channel 9 across the country, however 
> even at CB's peak that was not really who was monitoring.

I know in some places the Highway Patrols have monitoring equipment
that can listen to Channel 9, but they do not have transmission
equipment.  Specifically, I _KNOW_ Wisconsin has this from when I was
driving through and they had a rest area where they gave away free
coffee and other stuff and were talking about how to report suspected
drunk drivers in a campaign to get more of them off the highways.

I also seem to remember somthing about when CB's were fairly popular
and how the truckers and others used them like the police use their
radios to track others. In this case, they tracked the cops.  There
was some talk about entrapment, and if a cop had a CB and could
transmit, then the cop could have been giving the all-clear for
truckers, and then pulling 'em over right and left. I don't know how
factual this little tidbit really is, but it does seem reasonable, and
would explain why at least _some_ police/highway patrol/law enforcement 
vehicles are equipped to _listen_ to the CD (ch. 9 at the least).


Greg


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: 'Entrapment' is often confused with the
term 'enticement'. One is illegal, the other is not. Generally speaking, 
if the government breaks the law in an effort to get you to do the same, 
that is entrapment, and it is illegal. If the government merely makes
it more convenient for you to break the law -- without actually doing
so themselves -- that is enticement. Sleazy perhaps, but not illegal.
It happens all the time both ways, especially where drug enforcement
is concerned. It does not surprise me that cops would use CB to encourage 
people to speed, then arrest them for it. I know they use CB at many
truck stops to encourage and solicit prostitutes and/or drug sellers
whom they then arrest when approached, but most of those cases get off
in court (traffic, prostitution and drug cases) if the judge thinks 
the cops are lying about the way it happened.  PAT] 

------------------------------

From: wdh@netcom.com (Bill Hofmann)
Subject: Re: Africa Telecom - Lunchbag Discussion
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Wed, 06 Apr 1994 17:09:25 GMT


Barry  Laina Raveendran Greene <p00128@psilink.com> writes:

>           "EMERGING COMMUNICATION MARKETS IN AFRICA"
> The event will also present some issues to be discussed at the Africa
> Telecom'94 Forum (April 25-29 in Cairo). It is open to the public but
> space is limited. RSVPs are required (for security passes to the World
> Bank) by the 12 April 1994. Phone 202-833-3322 to leave a message.

Can you post a summary of the meeting?


Bill Hofmann    wdh@netcom.COM
Fresh Software and Instructional Design +1 510 524 0852


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: If a summary shows up here I'll be
glad to include it in the Digest.   PAT]

------------------------------

Subject: Re: New LA Area Code
Reply-To: kris%sanctum%paladin@uunet.uu.net
From: sanctum!kris@uunet.UU.NET (Kris)
Date: Wed, 06 Apr 1994 23:06 EDT


James Taranto writes:

> 907 is Alaska.  New York City alone has 212, 718, and 917, and the
> metro area, broadly defined, includes part or all of 516, 914, 201,
> 908, 609, 203, and 717.
[...]

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Yes, thank you, I meant 917 and the
> Alaska area code got in there by error.   PAT]

This reminds me of an AT&T commercial in which they were hyping their
Reach Out America plan, where you would spend something like $10 for
an hour of calls anywhere in the nation after 6 pm, and then $6 per
hour thereafter.  They showed different scenery from several cities
around the nation, with the city name and NPA in very large type.

Well, you guessed it, even AT&T was confused.  They used 203 for Los
Angeles.  We all know that 203 is really the NPA for most of Connecticut.

My roommate at the time, who was from CT, was quick to point that out
every time the ad came on.


Kris     kris%sanctum%paladin@uunet.uu.net
uunet.uu.net!paladin!sanctum!kris

------------------------------

From: miked23887@aol.com (MikeD23887)
Subject: Agents Wanted Outside USA
Date: 6 Apr 1994 19:50:01 -0400
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)


I am looking for agents to market long distance services to consumers
and businesses around the world. You can do this in your spare time or
full time.  This is an easy sell as the rates are far below the local
phone companies and you get high quality US dial tone. A five minute
call from Germany to the US would cost $7.04 on the local PTT while
only $3.84 with my firm, a 45% savings.  >From Germany to Japan - 45%,
Canada - 37%, Hong Kong - 41% and Australia - 51%.  These savings can
be achieved from most countries around the world. Our commission
structure starts at the highest percentage that I am aware of. 

These commissions are recurring for all the clients you sign up and
can add up to significant $$$. You can market this service even if you
have no prior experience in telecommunications. Our company is located
in New York City and has been at this for some time now. If interested
please e-mail me with your address and country your interested in
marketing this service. An agents package describing the service will
be sent to you via air mail. Please also note that we plan to cut
rates again in the next 30 days as well as introduce new services such
as fax on demand, integrated voice response and many new value added
services giving our agents the best combination of price and service.

Please reply by private e-mail to our Compuserve corporate e-mail
address at 73321.2252@compuserve.com.

------------------------------

From: westmanj@scico1.chchp.ac.nz (Joakim Westman)
Subject: EDI Electronic Data Interchange
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 07:54:07 GMT
Organization: Christchurch Polytechnic (NZ)


I'm wondering if somebody knows what the concept of EDI -- Electronic
Data Interchange is al about. I've been trying to get information
about this, I believe quite new topic at least in NZ, with no luck.
Therfore I turn to you as a new news user.


Regards, 

Jo Westman

------------------------------

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #169
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