This section involves the connection of communications equipment to The Stick II.
You may configure the ìhook upî of different types of equipment in a number of ways.
The Stick II has special features that make it work extremely well with either a PC fax/modem or a fax machine. The feature that enables The Stick II to route an incoming fax call to your "fax" type device is "ìFax Tone Detection".
If a PC FAX Card is connected to The Stick II at the Port 4 (factory preset for faxes), you should have no operational problems when a call is routed. There are about half-a million different types of PC FAX Cards on the market today and each has its own operational idiosyncrasies. If you do experience a problem, check the operations manual included with the PC FAX Card. If you cannot figure the problem out on your own, then call our Technical Support toll free number. They’ll be happy to help.
WHAT’S A "FAX TONE"?
In a nutshell, most fax machines generate a tone when they are operated "automatically".
Automatic generally means you just drop the paper(s) to be faxed in the document carriage, the machine loads it, the desired phone number is entered, you hit the START button and you’re done. The machine automatically dials the number and begins emitting the tone (commonly known as CNG or AUTO-FAX tone) to identify itself as a fax-type device. This tone is continuously transmitted until the called fax machine answers the call and "handshakes" with the sending fax. With The Stick II at the receiving end, the call is "answered" and the fax tone is detected. At that time the call is routed to the port you have designated or PORT 4 (factory default).
WHAT ABOUT A MANUAL FAX?
Sometimes people lift the handset on their fax machine and dial out to send a fax. This is what we call a "manual" fax. By doing this, they have told their fax machine they want to use it for voice purposes only. No problem for the fax machine, but now CNG tones will not be transmitted. If The Stick II is at the receiving end, it will answer the call, detect the absence of fax tones, assume it is a voice call and route it to the appropriate VOICE port.
What can you do if you answer the phone and no one is there or the person at the
other end says they're trying to send you a fax? You can manually transfer the call to
your fax by pressing *2 (SAC for Port 4). However, before you do, we suggest you
inform the caller that you have a brilliant device that can detect incoming faxes and that
they no longer have to call and tell you they are sending one.
An answering machine is an effective tool when used with The Stick II. When connected to either VOICE port, the answering machine will field any unanswered voice calls, and via a message, can provide instructions on how to access other equipment. Here’s a sample message:
Hi! You have reached (Name/Company/Phone Number). We are not in right now, but if you wish to leave a message, wait for the beep. If you want to send us a FAX, press *2 (or your reprogrammed code) now. Start your fax transmission when you hear our fax signal. If you cannot dial *2 on your phone then call back in Auto Fax mode. Thanks!
Retrieving an Answering Machine Message
Most answering machines on the market today have factory preset "retrieval codes" for accessing a message from a remote phone. There are no special features or codes on The Stick II for accessing your answering machine any differently than you normally would. Just call your phone number, let your machine answer the line and enter your "retrieval code". Again, we remind you to program all SAC’s used for voice/data equipment different from your answering machine "retrieval code".
The Stick II is compatible with dial-up modems that use a ìsingle pairî RJ-11 line cord connected to a phone line. Most incoming calls to your modem are from remote (off location) computer modems. The Stick II will route calls to your computer modem when the calling modem dials the proper SAC after The Stick II has answered the call.
You should not experience any slow down in your modem transmissions (as you might with a PBX or KSU system) due to The Stick II being on the line. The Stick II is essentially transparent after it answers the call.
How to Call Your Modem
For any person to access your modem through The Stick II, they must know your programmed Security Access Code for the port with your modem. Dialing your telephone number and SAC is done on the remote computer’s communications software. It should look something like this (for a HAYES-compatible modem):
ATDT 1 606 555 1234 , , * 3
The commas after the phone number are commands telling the modem to wait two seconds per comma before dialing the SAC * 3. You should instruct your friends to "time" a call to your residence. Tell them to count the seconds between the last digit dialed and the last ring to the phone before The Stick II answers the call, (how many rings until The Stick II answers). Divide that amount of seconds by two and you have the needed number of commas between the phone number and SAC.
It is safe to repeat the SAC twice in the dialing string like so:
ATDT 1 606 555 1234 , , * 3 , , * 3
Note that additional commas will need to be inserted between the SACs at the end of the dialing string.
Some modems cannot dial the * and # symbols. You may want to reprogram a specific code for one time access by an outside caller. Again if you have any questions, call our Technical Support line. They can help you out on timing or SACs.