Type P to Pause, S to Stop listing Project Verify by Fred Steinbeck I did some more research, and found that RING FWD doesn't send 90V out on the forward part of the loop. Instead, it disconnects the forward part of the loop from the position for a short period of time (less than 0.5 seconds). On an overseas call, this would make the inward operator's CLG light flash on and off, signaling her to stop doing her nails and get on with the call. What this does to verify circuitry is anyone's guess. If the connection is long distance, the winking of the TSPS console would send 2600 Hz momentarily at the verify circuitry, which might be a possibility... Anyway, operators generally don't use routing codes anymore, except in a few areas (I wish I knew of a few of them). Now what an operator does to verify or interrupt is the following: Assume you have dialed 0+7D, and the 7D is the number you want verified. The operator then classes charge as "station paid" and hits VFY. If VFY lights, it means the number can be verified. She then presses HOLD on loop 1, and ACS (access) on loop 2. She then presses ST, which completes the verify call. If there is speech on the line, she will hear encrypted speech. Assuming so, she then hits EMER INT (emergency interrupt), tells them what's going on, and then hits REL FWD (release forward, which drops the call on loop 2). She then hits POS REL on loop 2, and ACS on loop 1, bringing her back to you. She then reports, hits REC MSG (record message, which charges you) and then POS REL, position release. Most areas no longer have "TSPS Maintenance Engineers" or frame calling the operator. However, if you do, you might waht to try this. "Operator, class charge as station paid, and hit verify plus start. Now hit emergency interrupt, no AMA, and postion release." This should have the effect of throwing you into the call as a 3rd party, for free. I wouldn't do this from home, however, because when you call the operator, you are not free of her until she position releases. Therefore, if she gets suspicious, you can hang up, but it won't do you any good... Paraphernalia B & F Enterprises (P.O. Box 3357, Peabody, MA 01960), says Agent NDS, sells a "telephone loop pickup coil", for $4.88. I would assume it is much like the Trinetics PC-48 inductive coupler. I have not checked this place out, but it would seem to be a good deal. Bay Technologies-(408)-737-8180 sells the NSC 800 series of microprocessors and support devices. To find a supplier closer to you, try calling National Semiconductor at (408)- 737-5000, and ask for your local distributor. American Microsystems, Inc. (AMI) produces what they call the "Telecommunications Design Manual". This fine book, which is actually a combination of AMI semiconductors, circuit layouts, schematics, articles, and an informative glossary, can be had for the price of a call to (408)-246-0330. Bell System locks are a special brand: BEST. They are what they claim to be. I have never met a person who could pick them. What to do? Take a hacksaw to the lock from the top and cut the doorknob off. Then throw the bolt with a screwdriver. It takes about 20 minutes, but it can be worth it. Type Selection or M for list, P to set protocol, <CR> to exit: