"JW" wrote in message
...
ISSUE: Moderate to severe static on rainy or even very humid days.
parties on both sides have difficulty hearing. Also, unable to connect
to Internet. When things dry out everything is OK.

Verizon guy tested jacks and inside wiring and said they're OK. He
found minor "short" problems on the three phones, readings of 10, 10,
and 20.

His diagnosis: Phone units with minor faults when weather is dry
become severely problematic in wet weather. In other words, the
problem lies with the phones, not with any wiring or jacks.

However, he was unable to answer these questions:

1) Are you saying that moisture and humidity get into the phone units?

2) If so, how come there was no static when we tested the phones
during the rain, using the interface box on the side of the house?
Testing revealed a nice, clear dial tone. Static occurred only
inside.

He shrugged his shoulders and left.

If you got a good signal from the interface box, the problem is on the house
side of the box not on the outside Verizon lines.
The next time it rains and things get noisy, unplug everything that is
inside. This includes cordless base units, fax machines and modems. Plug one
phone in and check. If it is noisy try another phone in the same jack. Still
noisy? It's a wiring problem. Good signal? Add instruments one at a time
and check at each position. If it turns out to be a phone, go shopping for a
replacement. If it is everywhere with any phone, call Verizon back, show
them what you have done and recorded on paper and tell the repair guy to fix
it.
If you have the plan that pays for inside repair, you are in god position.
If you have to pay for wiring service you might try to locate the problem
yourself or enlist a savvy friend.

Good luck!

Charlie