In article .com,
"MRS. CLEAN" wrote:

Do we have a phone expert in this group?

Nope. Not a one. big grin

I have terrible static in my phone line.

Particularly if it comes and goes, that is easily the most difficult to find
and fix. Automated tests usually "see" right through static and report no
trouble.

I unplugged everything, bought a new wire phone, plugged it in,
and heard the same old static.

If the trouble is on only ONE jack/outlet/phone, it's that jack/outlet/phone.
If the trouble is on ALL jacks/outlets/phones, it's probably the line before
it enters the house.

Assuming it's my problem (phone company tells you that if it's house
wiring the meter starts running and running and running), what do I
do?

Many phone companies offer a monthly, inside wire maintenance plan.
Minimally, this means the subscriber is not charged for a visit, regardless of
where the trouble is. If you do NOT subscribe to this optional service, the
phone company SHOULD (but is not required to) tell you when you report your
trouble.

In my service area (Qwest/Omaha/Nebraska), if a SNID (Standard Network
Interface Device) is NOT present, we do not charge if the trouble is inside
and we are supposed to install the SNID at no charge.

Again, in my area, if a SNID IS present, and the trouble IS inside, AND the
customer does NOT have inside coverage, we charge an $85 Trouble Isolation
Charge to simply TELL them the trouble is inside. If asked inside to continue
the repair, in ADDITION to the above-mentioned Trouble Isolation Charge, an
hourly rate applies. It's $120/hr. wow

Conversely, across the river in Iowa, even if a SNID is present, we are not
allowed to levy the Trouble Isolation Charge UNLESS we are asked to come
inside. These policies and practices vary widely. Ask your telco.

If the trouble is equipment-caused, we will isolate to that equipment and
simply hand it over to the customer like a dead toaster. If the trouble is
wire and/or jack-related, we will repair or replace it.

Re-wire the house?

Yeah, right.

I was thinking about ripping down the lines, blaming the city tree
pruners, then calling them out making sure phone company's connection
is proper...

You mentioned that the static trouble began AFTER tree trimming was done.
Given that, even sight unseen, I can almost guarantee that the trouble is
"drop"-related. The ASW (Aerial Service Wire) was probably somewhat
compromised to begin with (squirrel damage, branch abrasion, etc) and the
added abuse of pruned branches falling across the wire further damaged the
wire, causing the static.

Here's an easy test: Call a friend and, while on the phone, have another
person WHACK the drop wire with a broom or rake, causing stress replicating
high wind. If the static is noticeably worse, the trouble IS in the ASW.

Order your telco's inside wire maintenance plan, endure the static for a
couple more days after that, then call-in the repair. Done. Good luck!
--

JR

Climb poles and dig holes
Have staplegun, will travel