Message 4/5  From Ma Bell                             Feb 18, 94 03:15:28 am gmt


Article: 335 of alt.2600
Path: cyb!fredbox!crash!news.sprintlink.net!demon!uknet!pipex!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.!newsrelay.iastate.edu!news.iastate.edu!vincent2.iastate.edu!mabell
Subject: Re: whitebox
Date: 18 Feb 94 03:15:42 GMT
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Lines: 65
NNTP-Posting-Host: vincent2.iastate.edu

In <Feb.17.15.58.36.1994.17599@eden.rutgers.edu> xedge@eden.rutgers.edu (actionfigure ant.) writes:


>  what is a white box?
>  from what i understand they work on privately owned payphones.
>  if anyone knows how to make one please post it or email me


-------------------
COCOT/White Box FAQ
-------------------

What is a COCOT?
----------------
COCOT stands for Customer Owned Coin Operated Telephone. The nice thing about
these phones is that all the billing, etc. is taken care of right inside the
phone: you get past that, you have a _regular_ phone line. Direct dial
whatever you feel like. You can identify a COCOT by it's lack of familiar
markings, i.e. AT&T or the famous bell stamped on the front. MCI phones and I
believe GTE work the same way; you'll just have to try.

What is a white box?
--------------------
A white box is just another name for a portable dialer. You can pick one up at
Radio Shack for about $10. Don't get the one with memory buttons unless you're
too lazy to dial a few numbers yourself.

Why don't they just call it a dialer, then?
-------------------------------------------
That wouldn't be very anti-telco sounding, would it??

How do I use the white box on a COCOT?
--------------------------------------
Ah, yes. I forgot to tell you: that's what the white box is for, the COCOT.
Here's why COCOTS are so beautiful. Most COCOTS disable the keypad, at the
least, until you put your money in. But who needs a keypad when you have your
dialer? Just put it up to the microphone and dial away. But many times it's
harder than this. They will mute the microphone, too, until they have their
precious $0.35. In this case just dial an 800 number and wait for them to hand
up. Or you could say something vulgar when the people answer if you're in a
bad mood. Anyway, after they hang up, you'll get a dial tone, and guess what?
The microphone isn't muted any more! If the phone makes you dial first and
then put your money in you're on your own. I have no idea what to do in this
case.

I've tried all that, but it still doesn't work!
-----------------------------------------------
I've heard from experienced phreakers that couldn't get this to work, so don't
be surprised if it doesn't work in your area. I guess the phone company is
getting smart; well, maybe just a little. :)  Try a different phone, or look
around the outside of the phone/booth. You'd be _really_ surprised at where
they put the actual phone line. They may even have a nice place for you to
just connect a lineman's handset a talk! (uh, oh; I see another FAQ coming)
You can make a lineman's handset by simply connecting alligator clips to a
small phone (the red & green wires). These terminals will probably be "hidden"
in a box or something. Or if you're feeling *really* nasty, just splice into
the wire and tape it up when you're done. The nice thing about finding a way
to connect to the line before it reaches the COCOT is that it's just a normal
line; you don't have to use any boxes at all. Just dial whatever you want.

Please write me and tell me about your adventures! I'd love to hear some
stories...

As always, "Have phun, and don't get caught!"
Ma Bell [*][0][#]