unusual telephony request - recording voice mail

[edward.chin-rieW9WUcm8FFJ04o6PK0Fg at public.gmane.org]

On Mon, 26 Jan 2004 20:20:56 +0200 (IST), Peter L. Peres 
<plp-ysDPMY98cNQDDBjDh4tngg at public.gmane.org> wrote:

>
> On Sun, 25 Jan 2004, Wil McGilvery wrote:
>
>> I did not connect to a phone line that is what the phone is for. I
>> simply rerouted the audio. Inside your phone receiver is a little
>> speaker. That was what I was talking about. It's the same as plugging in
>> a headset.
>
> No it is not. You were very lucky. Depending on circumstances you could
> end up with up to 120Vac entering your audio gear (ring voltage).
>
> Peter
> --

In an ordiary handset(phone), line voltage appears at both the
speaker and mouthpiece (microphone). They are in parallel and would give
the nastiest feedback if the mouthpiece is anywhere near the speaker.
The ringing voltage (actually 90vac but still very potent - fatal in some
cases. I once got zapped doing what you did.)can be avoided by plugging in
the recording device after connecting, but who needs 48vdc on the mic 
input?

Easiest is using an induction pickup which plugs into MIC IN of most
recording devices. Radio Shack used to sell one for about $5 - prob $15 
now.
  
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