Subj : Dead Phone Line
To   : GREG EASTHOM
From : JAY EMRIE
Date : Tue Nov 30 2004 09:27 pm

GE>JE> In trying to decipher what my problem is with my phone lines I made a
GE>JE> rather startling (to me anyhow) discovery. All of those 6' - 8' phone
GE>JE> cables one uses to connect the phone to the hone jack are NOT equal. 
Some
GE>JE> have only TWO wires and some have FOUR wires. I made never looked at one
GE>JE> closely - just assumed they were all two wired. I must have 15 or 20 of
GE>JE> those things here.

GE>And some of them (when viewing both plugs head-on) will switch the
GE>colors, while others keep them in the same relative place.
GE>           __    __
GE>cable 1 - xRGX  xGRx
GE>           __    __
GE>cable 2 - xRGx  xRGx

GE>Cable 1 initially looks wrong, as the colors are different, but
GE>when laid flat, the wires are obviously a "straight-through" design.

GE>Cable 2 seems more normal, as both ends look the same, BUT when
GE>laid flat, you see it actually switches the wires side-to-side,
GE>changing the polarity of the final connection. Most phones, faxes
GE>and modems won't care, but some don't like it, and won't work right.

Well, the CAT5 cable tester says they are reversed.

GE>Just another little thing that makes you go Hmmmmm.......

Nope, not Hmmmmm - but Grrrr!

Jay
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