I am continually astounded at the number of people (I almost said "guys" but realized I would only get scolded by my daughter - Ms. Smarty-Pants College Girl) working in this business who don't have a Butt Set.
A Telephone Test Set, call it what you will. This is the best tool for troubleshooting dialer issues. (and you can make free calls if you find an open pedestal! - no I'm just kidding that would be illegal and Cox Communications wouldn't be happy with me counseling my readers to steal their services.
The rule for my techs (almost said "boys" - I'm getting better at this) is to always (no let me make that ALWAYS!) listen to the signals you are sending with your butt set. This way you know the panel actually got a line and dialed, it was answered by a receiver and got the right handshake and kiss-off occurred as it should. No more sending a dozen signals and calling to be told - "
Nope we don't see nuthin."
The time saved is amazing and you won't get a bald spot from scratching your head so often. So now that I've convinced you to lay down some of hard-earned cash for this marvellous tool - which one to buy?
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| LB-255 - don't let it's cuteness fool ya! |
I've looked at lots and my favorite remains the LB-255 from Test-Um. It looks a little toy like compared to some great big monsters that you may have seen and it doesn't help that the company name sounds like it makes toys. (Actually Test-Um got bought a number of years ago by JDS Uniphase or JDSU who are one of the leading manufacturers of Fiber test equipment but I digress).
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| Typical big Hulk of a Butt Set - 2 pounds of ugly! |
Now most of the butt sets you see are big brutes designed to be dropped by a guy 25 feet up a telephone pole - I don't know if the LB255 is up to this sort of abuse but I've never managed to break mine and I'm hard on my gear (that's a fancy way of saying I'm clumsy).
So you can't use it to drive nails but it does have a gem of a feature on it - IT HAS AN LCD DISPLAY!!! And the things the display will reveal to you.... like the number that just got dialed when you are in monitor mode (oh no wonder the dialer didn't get through - you programmed 1-800 instead of 1-888!).
It will also measure all the importance data about the line you're on - Voltages On- Hook and Off, Loop Current, just by connecting it - it's amazing how many cruddy lines are out there with low voltages especially out in the sticks. You quickly find out if the issue is your panel or Ma Bell's line.
Did i mention it has a memory - you can program 7 or 8 of your favorite numbers and call them up at the push of a button - your local ANI number perhaps!
So quit waiting for Santa to bring you one - look on line for one - I've often seen them on EBay at great prices. Heck I just checked and they are going for less than $220. And think of all the long distance bills you won't have to pay - just kidding.
