Monitoring Times - March, 1992
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Motron Touch-Tone Decoder |
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Touch-Tone (DTMF) control is very pervasive in our techno-era, from telephone dialing to repeater phone patches. The ability to remotely control some equipment function via DTMF is neat and easy. But it is also valuable to be able to decode the tones heard over a radio link or wired system. A new decoder/display from MoTron Electronics (310 Garfield St., Suite 4, Eugene, OR 97402; ph. 800-338-9058) provides this capability for only S99. The TDD-8 instantly decodes and displays all 16 DTMF alphanumeric characters and symbols, and may be connected to any audio source--telephone line, receiver or scanner 'phone jack, tape recorder or facsimile machine. At 40 ms response time, it can track high-speed auto-dialers. An eight character LED reveals any telephone number which was keyed in and scrolls "Times Square" style, storing up to 40 characters in memory. An ASCII serial output allows computer interface for unattended, automatic logging or even remote data entry. An IBM compatible software disk is provided at no extra charge (CAB-1 interconnect cable kit, $20). The TDD-8 may be powered from any 9 to 12 VDC source (@ 200 mA); an optional PS-12 AC wall adaptor is available for $10. The professionally designed circuit board, 6" x 2-1/4", may be mounted in a test equipment enclosure, or a transparent plastic mounting kit may be ordered from MoTron (PMK-1, $15). ImpressionsIt is always pleasing to see a product with thought, imagination and talent built in; MoTron's TDD-8 is just that, quality all the way. Factory wired and tested before shipping, this decoder/display has mini-pushbuttons to allow scrolling back and forth to see memorized data and to clear the memory after review. Connected to an audio source of from 0.1 to 6 Vpp, its serial output is 1200 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, offering response rate of 12.5 characters per second. An alarm feature allows the host computer to alert the user if particular numbers or sequences are detected.
If you are looking for an affordable and dependable DTMF decoder/display, look no further. |
Please note that since this article was written, Oregon added a new area code. Using the old area code with our number will no longer connect you to MoTron Electronics. Our phone number, with the new area code, is (541) 687-2118.
Monitoring Times is a publication of Grove Enterprises. For more information about Monitoring Times or Grove Enterprises, visit the Grove Site.
Information on the ToneLogger DTMF Decoder, our most current DTMF Decoder Display Board.