Re: [hylafax-users] use fax machine as scanner

[A J Stiles <adam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Friday 23 July 2004 05:08, PG wrote:
> Hi,
>
>     I've been using my fax machine as a document scanner, to fax the
> document back to my hylafax server for a few years. I have to fax them over
> telephone lines to get above done. Is there some ways that I could do it
> without going thru real telephone lines? eg serial port to serial port,
> modem to modem (linked with a plain telephone cable)?
>
> Jason

You could try this.  Get two telephone sockets and a 12V regulated power 
supply.  Make sure the power supply is *not* earthed.  Wire the positive 
terminal of the power supply to one of the active terminals in the first 
socket*, the other active terminal to the second socket, and the other active 
terminal of the second socket to the negative terminal of the power supply.  
Plug your FAX and modem into the two sockets, so they are in series with one 
another and the power supply.

This will allow the modem to 'hear' the tones created by the FAX machine, but 
it is as though the call was already established; there is no provision for 
dialling, ringing or the like.

You could always get a cheap, used PABX ..... try a business which has 
outgrown its premises.  Although this solution probably will cost more than a 
cheap scanner, it will be better, and sooner or later it will pay for itself 
compared to the cost of telephoning yourself.  I never had any joy with cheap 
scanners, even when I was using Windows.


* Active terminals:  in an RJ-11 socket  (USA and Rest of World)  the active 
terminals are the middle two.  In a BT-431 socket  (UK)  the active terminals 
are the next two out from the middle  (2 and 5).  In any other country, 
borrow an RJ-11 adaptor and check it out with an AVO.  The polarity is 
usually unimportant, most kit is not fussy.

-- 
Adam Stiles
Technical Manager
Price Engines Ltd.

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