On Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:10:45 -0500, Jim Redelfs
wrote:

In article ,
The Daring Dufas wrote:

Party lines use different ringer frequencies for each customer.

I respectfully disagree.

Two-party service (2FR) signals the "ring party" by delivering ringing
current on the ring side of the pair that passes through a
specially-wired telephone to ground. The "tip party" is signaled by
ringing on the other conductor through a specially-wired set to ground.

4, 6 and 8-party service also uses the above technique on a single pair
but uses distinctive ringing patterns assigned to each party. Example:
Two, short rings.

On an eight-party line, only FOUR parties hear ringing.


There were at least four subscribers on the party line when I was
growing up. There wee never any rings for someone else. Also, there
were just 2 wires connected to the house.

[snip]

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us

"Properly read, the Bible is the most potent
force for atheism ever conceived." -- Isaac Asimov