
                 A FEW WORDS ABOUT LINE NOISE
                ==============================


1.  During wet seasons, like spring, electrical changes are
    introduced to the phone lines, causing noise.  Ground
    properties are different for wet and dry earth.

2.  According to phone companies traffic is increasing on the
    switches.  These switches are old and getting older.  The
    phone companies seem to think the traffic volume is due to the
    increasing amount of data transmissions (modem and FAX
    connections, *WOW! what a blinding flash of the
    obvious*).

3.  Satellite relays also introduce noise in data (modem/fax)
    links.  If you've ever talked over-seas you'll be able to relate
    to this.  These satellite links are vulnerable to all sorts 
    of EM interference.

4.  Local Broadcasts are another source of problems.  Did you
    ever hear your neighbors CB on your phone?  Modems don't
    like that and will show it as garbage on your screen.

There are a few things you can try that may improve your data
connections.  You can try hanging up and calling back, you
may go through different "cleaner" switches, or you can call
using a different long distance carrier entirely.

You may also consider upgrading to a modem supporting some
error correction such as v.42 or MNP 5.  These modems will be
able to "filter" a lot of the noise out, meaning you won't
see the garbage characters on your screen.

Most of the above applies to long distance connections.  If
these suggestions don't work you should call your local phone
company and have them check your lines.


