Easy Connect review
By Andrew Roughan
Copyright (c) 1994 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
Phone & Fax/Modem Line sharing device
Those of use who use a modem or fax frequently and only have one telephone line will know that sharing this precious resource can be frustrating.
Consider the following scenarios:
You advertise that your voice telephone number can also receive facsimilies and someone new calls without realising that they should speak to you personally to switch the machine over, you get a nice blast in the ear and not the intended fax.
Or you wish to operate a small BBS service for some friends between the hours of 10pm and 6am but still want people to be able to leave a message on your answering machine if they call personally.
Both these scenarios can be solved with just one simple device. The Easy Connect Phone & Fax/Modem Line Sharing Device.
Now I hear some people muttering "Oh yeah.... It probably answers my phone for me and makes all those voice callers wait forever before I actually get to know about the call", but you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that this is not the case.
The Easy Connect device does not answer the call itself. It only monitors the line. Therefore voice has priority, which, in my opinion, is the way it should be.
Before continuing I should point out that EITHER a fax OR a modem can be switched with the Easy Connect device, but not both. A combined fax and modem is suitable as well.
So how does it work?
Well in the basic operation mode you will answer the phone as normal (lets face it, most calls will be voice callers). If the call is a fax call, identifiable by hearing an evenly spaced tone, the device will automatically switch the call for you. You just hang up the handset confident that your fax machine is busy receiving a transmission.
Some fax machines and all modems do not send these tones so the Easy Connect device cannot automatically switch, but when you hear nothing on the line and realise that the call is an attempted data transmission, you can quickly and simply transfer the call by dialling an access code on your handset (both tone and pulse are supported).
And the beauty of this is that you can answer the call and transfer it to the fax or modem from ANY handset on the line.
The Easy Connect device will also automatically switch if your answering machine answers a fax call. Modem callers to the answering machine must enter an access code (tone or pulse supported) to be switched. The answering machine is apparently disconnected and reset as if no call was
received. Unfortunately I could not test this aspect as I don't have an answering machine.
The Easy Connect device has a lot more bells and whistles which makes it a comprehensive solution.
There is an automatic default transfer of the call to the modem or fax if the call has not been answered within a certain number of rings. This number is set with a dip switch on the underside of the box. The factory default is 8 rings, but you can specify 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 or not at all.
The manual transfer code which I mentioned earlier is complimented by a transfer and resume code. If you are in the middle of a conversation with someone and they suggest that they should send you something while they think of it, you can transfer the call, receive the transmission, hang up, and the Easy Connect will ring the handset connected to it allowing you to continue talking. Unfortunately it cannot ring all the handsets on the line (unless they all are connected into the Easy Connect). But this is understandable (Telecom would hardly like a ring sequence reflecting down to the exchange!). You can however pick up any handset on the line when you hear the other ringing.
Another access code will automatically transfer all future calls through to the fax or modem. This is cancelled when any handset is lifted. As an example, this is how a BBS could be set up between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
Have you ever called someone from one room and then remembered that you have to talk to them about something in another? No problem! The Easy Connect allows you to place a call on hold, hang up, and pick up any other handset. Neat hey? No more "Mum, hang this up when I yell Ok?"
There is a previso on this last option. The documentation says that the ability to resume conversation does not work reliably in Australia with some telephones. I doubt any people will buy the device solely for this option so if it works treat it as a bonus.
The other non-readily apparent feature of this device is that it also has inbuilt lightning/surge protection for devices that are connected through it.
The Easy Connect device is completely compatible with Call Waiting, STD and IDD signals.
But is it documented?
The Easy Connect device comes with a well written 12 page booklet which explains all the installation and operating instructions simply and completely.
A quick reference card is also included which lists the transfer codes.
So how do I install it?
The box itself is slightly larger than a pack of cigarettes and has four connecting jacks. One is for the power supply, the three others are RJ11 modular connectors (American style) for the line, phone, and fax or modem.
The package contains three lengths of modular connecting cord, two Telecom sockets and one Telecom plug.
It is a simple matter to plug your modem and your phone into the female sockets, and connect the modular lead from the sockets to the Easy Connect. The final modular lead connects the Easy Connect to the male plug which connects to the telephone line.
Find a spare power point, plug in the power lead and it is ready to go.
The Easy Connect Device can also be installed with Commander, key system and PABX phone systems.
My two bits worth...
I found the Easy Connect device to perform its functions very well. The addition of two features would make it a total solution.
I was surprised to find that it does not recognise V.25 calling tones sent by modems. These tones identify that a modem originated the call. In the same way as CNG tones identify a facsimilie machine. This would allow the Easy Connect device to automatically switch modem calls. Peter Osborne from National Communications explained to me that not all modems have this option. Until the standard becomes more widely used by manufacturers, it wont be implemented because extra delays in checking for the tones could interfere with fax detection.
As I was lying in bed this morning, the phone rang 8 times as everyone else waited for everyone else to answer it. 8 rings just happens to be the default before the call is switched. My modem was switched off at the time, so the caller would have hung up eventually after not being answered. A small suggestion would be another tone sequence which overrides the default setting. Then again, if I had an answering machine, I wouldn't have this problem!
New models are apparently out very shortly, so hopefully they will improve the situation.
How well are they supported?
The Easy Connect device is supplied with a two year replacement warranty and is Austel approved.
The Easy Connect device is made in Australia by National Communications under license from VSI who make similar products in the USA.
National Communications have technical support lines in major capital cities. Head office (075) 965 128, Sydney (02) 905 6670.
The Recommended Retail Price for these units is $299.
Review unit supplied by:
DAVID REID ELECTRONICS
127 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone (02) 267 1385
Fax (02) 261 8905

THIS CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2007, APPLE MACINTOSH USERS' GROUP, SYDNEY
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PLEASE CREDIT THE AUTHOR AND THE SOURCE: Applecations, publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia

THIS PAGE COPYRIGHT © 2007, ANDREW ROUGHAN