David Damouth inquires:

Give us some numbers! Inquiring minds want to know. I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds this startling! What speed do you usually achieve on old carbon-granule payphones? (No fair using modern indoor phones).

I suspect that the reason it's "startling" is because most folks are used to the older-technology acoustical couplers. Ergo, they're surprised that anything better than 1200 baud comes their way.

But with the one I now have (more about it in a sec) I average 21600. This morning (Lord, it's SNOWING in the campground; here goes the down side of Byron's new "excellent" adventure...), I got in at 26400 connection. My modem's an internal 56K. Most often, it's 21600 and, to me, that's absolutely WUNNERFUL for a cussed pay phone. Thanks to the new coupler.

If your Telecoupler II is really all that much better than my Konnex Koupler (never better than 4800 baud on payphones, often 2400), I'll rush out and buy one tomorrow (so also let us know where you bought it and what you paid).

Get your credit card out. Again, I average 21600, just a smidgen better than your 4800. I believe that the reason for that is the adjustable (three positions) audio output level. When I first tried it in the campground's payphone, I got a resounding 1200 baud connection. Stuck in another quarter, flipped the level control to the opposite of whater it was, and POW! 21600.

I'm content.

You can see it at www.roadwarrior.com although I purchased it at www.egghead.com for about $129, which, given that I rely on connectivity to my various employers (not to mention the fact that it's dadgummed LONELY out here in the woods! ), well, I'm just really happy with the acoustical coupler.

Best regards,

Byron Hurder, KY1T
Camped at N41 38.7 W93 22.7