At 02:14 PM 4/6/2002 -0500, R. D. Davis wrote:
Quothe Fred Cisin (XenoSoft), from writings of Sat, Apr
06, 2002 at 07:54:40AM -0800:
Then turn the large rotary dial the appropriate
number of times. When you
hear the "carrier tone", place the handset into the cups of the acoustic
coupler.
This reminds me, these acoustic couplers may need some periodic
maintenance, such as putting some talcum powder on the rubber pieces
that hold the telephone handset.
I've also seen it recommended for refrigerator door gaskets.
What talcum would do to protect rubberized plastic from
deteriorating is a mystery to me. Are we talking about
actual latex in any of these situations? I think not.
I would guess these rubbers harden or goo-ify over time
due to something other than lack of talc, such as long-term
exposure to UV or ozone or absorption of volatiles from
other plastics.
I have an old Anderson-Jacobsen 300 baud modem in a wooden
box that needs a new home, I think...
- John