Using Your Local DATU

by dialect

Introduction:

After a while of reading and reading about certain telco subjects you must go out into your own area and experiment to see what you find. You'll be amazed at the certain numbers and tricks you learn about in your area. Ranging from PBX's to even CO related numbers you could compile a huge list of interesting data if you just go out and look or scan for them. And a DATU is a perfect example of such a number.

Explanation:

DATU stands for Direct Access Testing Unit. Techs or Linemans use this Line everyday for every job they come across. A datu is basically a number given to every area code that serves the purpose of doing random tests on a line. Datu's have a menu which allows you to pick a certain kind of testing which i will furthur explain in this text. Without certain tools, some of the testing options will be useless to you. But then again, there are also options that you could use which are pretty interesting. Datus use 4 or 5 digit pin numbers to access the number to be able to use it. But.. i have ran into 1 datu which only requires a 3 digit access code.

Obtaining DATU Numbers:

For me, i stick to my area when i'm looking for something new and try not to go too far away from home unless you accidently come accross something new. In my area at least, all the Datu numbers are in this sequence: NPA+exchange+9935 So in other words they all end with the last 4 numbers as 9935. I'm not too sure about other areas so you're gonna have to scan the 99xx sequence. A datu kind of sounds like a PBX. They usually half a ring becuase the ringing gets cut off by a a low sounding tone. So you know when you get a datu when you call , its rings not even a full ring, then a tone occurs which is signalling you to enter your pin Number. Since DATUs are much like pbx's you much somehow figure out or crack the access codes which shouldnt take you that long.

Becuase i'm a nice guy and all, here is a datu so you could see yourself what they sound like: 1-973-482-9935

Calling up a DATU:

When you first call up the DATU line it will submit a low leveled tone which is prompting you to enter the pin number to access the service. Once you put in the right pin number you hit # and it will automatically give you another tone which is then prompting you to enter a number to begin testing. When you put in a (local) number you will hear the digits being dialed Then if everything is ok, an automated voice will respond with "Ok". From there you could hit "1" to access the menu. This is a full listing of the menu. Menu's range differently but this is the menu in my area (NJ)

"1" Menu
"2" Audio Monitering
"3" short to ground
"4" High Level Tone
"5" Low Level Tone
"6" Open Subsriber line
"7" Short Subscriber line
"8"
"9"
"*" key test
"#" Disconnect the Number testing and Start Over
"##" Totally Disconnect you from the Datu.

You should remember that you dont have to press "#" after every entry because now that you are connected hitting "#" will disconnect the process and start over. You should always disconnect your call with "##" so the DATU line doesnt stay busy next time you call it .I once attempted a Key Test on the line which Temporarily disconnects a line up to 10 minutes , and when i finished my business i didnt disconnect using "##" so i tried calling back the DATU about 10 seconds later and the DATU line was busy. Then i figured out that the Key Test was still in process so i should have disconnected with "##" instead of just hanging up. But.... that doesnt mean if you disconnect a line and hang up right after that it will stop the Key test. If i were to hit "*" and put in numbers of minutes then hang up the phone, the test would still go on.

Explaining the Options Of the certain tests

Menu:

By hitting "1" it will give you your DATU menu which is pretty usefull in case you dont have the menu written down for reference.......

Audio Monitering:

By hitting "2" you could access the audio monitering feature. All this is used for is to check if there is anyone on the line talking. IF there is no-one on the line you will not hear anything and the line will be silent but if the line is in use you will hear the conversation but it will be scrammbled so lineman can not listen in on the calls. Also.. most of the time once you put in the line to test the audio monitering feature will automatically start and pop up. So you're thinking.... then why have a button for it? well... lets say you access the datu THEN while you are on it that person decides to make a call. So it pretty much a feature to keep checking the line every once and a while.

***Use to you: Check what kind of a line a number you have is using. Whether it be voice or data

Short to ground:

All Short to ground does is it grounds your Pair after you have shorted them. So this is usually done after you just shorted the pair.

Use to you: None really, Mostly Binding post lineman stuff

High Level Tone:

As far as i know This tone is for when there is only no one on the line. Using this high level tone, the Tech at the Binding Post is able to detect and find your Pair numbers. So this is pretty much useless to you unless you wanna bother the person on the line with an annoying tone.

Use to you: could be used to annoy a person on the line having a conversation. Not that loud but annoying

Low Level Tone:

This serves the same purpose as the high leveled tone but this tone can be used even when the line is in use. The sound of the tone will not interrupt the Traffic on the line.

Use to you: Same as high level tone pretty much

Open Subsriber line:

This is a pretty nifty option. This will totally drop ANY voltage on the line which means disconnection of subscriber line. (Phone goes dead like Key Test) The voltage is dropped until another test is used.

Use to you: Figure it out buddy...

Short Subscriber line:

This will temporarily short your pair number and should be followed up with a Short to Ground.(option 3)

***Use to you: None.

Key Test:

This option will temporarily disconnect the line you are testing. By pressing the "*" button a automated voice will come on and say "enter number of minutes". Now, you must enter the number of minutes you want disconnection on but the maximum is 10 minutes. So if you wanted to disconnect the line for 1 minute you would press "*" 1. And if you wanted to do it for 10 minutes you would press "*" 0. (0 = 10) This option can be used even when the phone is in use. Its pretty nifty if someone is really bothering you and you decide to turn off thier phone. If you're good with programming, you could also compile a program which resets the 10 minutes when every 10 minutes are up. I dunnno. Go crazy with this feature

***Use to you: Lets say you wanna disconnect someones line. Or lets say you are trying to call a friend but they wont pick up the phone or they wont click over to answer you. Disconnect the line for 1 minute, then call :)

Starting Over:

If for some reason you decide you want to start the process over all you have to do is hit "#" and it will give you that tone again prompting you to place in a subscriber line number.

Disconnecting:

By hitting "##" you will end your call and disconnect from the datu line.

Synopsis:

So as you can see the DATU line is a pretty usefull toy and can be used to have fun. One thing you must always remember is not to overuse the DATU line. keeping your calls to a minimum will keep the number up more. Good luck with finding your local DATU and have fun with it. Maybe you'll even run into some more interesting stuff.