[SOC] The Dog and the Phone

[Jeff T. Casey]

I normally don't forward this sort of thing, but the
following is not only hilarous, it also carries an
important lesson for us SOCs:
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The Dog and the Phone

A Kansas farm wife called the local phone company to
report her telephone failed to ring when her friends
called and that on the few occasions when it did ring,
her dog always moaned right before the phone rang. 
  
The telephone repairman proceeded to the scene,
curious to see this psychic dog or senile lady. 
  
He climbed a telephone pole, hooked in his test set,
and dialed the subscriber's house.

The phone didn't ring right away, but then the dog
moaned and the telephone began to ring.  Climbing down
from the pole, the telephone repairman found: 

1. The dog was tied to the telephone system's ground
wire with a steel chain and collar.
  
2. The wire connection to the ground rod was loose. 

3. The dog was receiving 90 volts of signaling current
when the number was called. 
  
4. After a couple of jolts, the dog would start
moaning and then urinate.
  
5. The wet ground would complete the circuit, thus
causing the phone to ring.
  
Which demonstrates that some problems CAN be fixed by
pissing and moaning.  Just thought you'd like to know.
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Lesson for SOC members:  Check your station ground
regularly -- don't leave it up to your dog!

73,
Jeff
NE2J (formerly WB5GWB)