Date: Sun, 11 Oct 92 18:35 EDT
From: rsiatl!turner@rsiatl.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Where Can I Get: Digital Matrix Switches, Craft Tools, RF links
Reply-To: turner@dixie.com
Organization: TELECOM Digest
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 779, Message 6 of 7

There have been a number of the "where can I get" questions and I
thought I would tackle a few now that I am home, and can pull the info
from my files:

1) I think Tim Lowe asked about an RS-232 matrix switch.  When I checked
   my mail, I had a catalog from Phoenix Telecom. Test Equipment in
   Huntsville, AL.  In addition to the standard lineup of VF and digital
   test equipiment, they sell a digital matrix switch that does RS-232,
   422, 449, V.35, T1, E1, or T1 "hitless" (unframed?) depending on the
   model.  Comes with 16 ports, expandable to 256.
   
   Model 3250 Matrix Switch 
   Phoenix Microsystems, Inc
   1-(205) 922-1200 
   1-800-866-8480

2) Craft Tools:
   James Gustave writes:

   > Does anyone know of a source for telephone installation equipment?
   > I'm not talking about radio-shack crimpers and plugs, but rather the
   > fun stuff that the telco people have.  Like linesperson's handsets, or
   > the things-they-hook-to-the-lines-that-go-BEEP.  Someone must know
   > what I'm talking about.

   > Either a source in the Bay Area or something mail-order would be
   > great.  Thanks.
   
   The buzzer is called a tone generator.  Most were made by PEI.
   The receiver is called an inductive line aid, AKA banana.

   Try Greybar, Anixter, North Supply, and Alltel Supply in your
   local phone book.

   In addition to SPC and Jensen mentioned in todays issue of the digest,
   try :
   Time Motion Tools    (619) 689-7272
   Techni-Tool          (213) 941-2400

   For a good buy on new and used telecom tools try:
   Western Tel-Com Surplus Co.   1-800-543-5916 
   
   They have reconditioned rotary butt sets for $25, TS-21's for 125/150 new.
   
3) Chris Kennedy writes:
   > I recently purchased a hunk of land in more or less the middle of
   > nowhere and am seeking alternatives to simply paying line extension
   > charges in order to meet my telecom needs.  By way of background my
   > current residential telecom mix consists of five voice and one 56Kb
   > ADN line, 
   
   > FM prop
   > characteristics in the area are good and with modest work I can get
   > line-of site to a commercial tower where rent is cheap and a PacBell
   > presence in place.
   
   Look at 900 MHz Spread Spectrum links.  One company that comes to mind
   is Cylink (1-408-735-5800).  They make several fractional T1 links.  My
   guess is that will work if you are LOS to the tower (<20 miles).
   Their systems have a loss budget of around 120 dB, which shouldn't
   be hard to meet with Yagi antennas.  They also make 5 GHz radios and 
   others sell 2.5 GHz radios such as Western Multiplex Corp. (1-415-592-8832)
   that are SS.  I would avoid these as they will require a fortune in
   feedline.  Most users point them out a window or mount them on a roof top
   where long feedlines aren't needed.  If you need a source for high gain
   antennas on these frequencies let me know.  Dishes, Yagi's and omni's
   are available, but at least one company (Marti Electronics) recommends
   against the latter two at these freq's. 


Pat Turner KB4GRZ   turner@dixie.com