digital converter box -- surprising performance

[Roger Kirk]

Roger Kolakowski wrote:
> Besides...should all fail, you can probability "step down" the 48 or so
> volts that the phone company is providing "free", to run a battery powered
> radio keeping in touch with the world while you weren't using your phone...
>   
Drawing current from the phone line would cause it to appear "off hook" 
and busy to the rest of the world.  On an older system, it would tie-up 
one internal path.  Eventually, that would lead to the very loud "woop, 
woop" sounder that Telco places on an off-hook line with no connection 
or activity.