Strange Phone Jack Situation

[Thud]

Hey all! I've recently moved to Japan, and gotten into an apartment. There's a lot of little differences between homes here and what we're use to in the states. The one that's really bugging me here, though, is that there's only one phone jack in the whole place. The phone jack is downstairs, and my computer is upstairs. I'm stuck using dialup, so I have to run about 50 feet of phone line down to the jack, and it really gets in the way, not to mention looks pretty cheesey. And any costs related to the telephone here are outrageous, so having a second line (or even a jack) installed is not really an option.

Anyone ever seen a wind-up spool (kinda like the ones for garden hoses) or something similar that might help out a little? Or any other ideas??

I know it's an odd question, but there's got to be a better way to hook it up than having this wire running across the house.

[fyxxer32]

You might consider the possibility of running a line on the outside od the house if its feasible, in my situation I was able to run a line thru the wall then down the outside of the house and back in a whole lot easier...

[Roy]

Hmm. Cordless phone ... cordless modem? Hmm.

[Gomer]

Here is a retractable cord for $20 at RS. It is only 16 feet, but for the areas where you would be most likely to take it up maybe it will help. That was just a quick search as well. Maybe with a more refinded search, you could find something similar with greater capacity.
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F001%5F001%5F012%5F000&product%5Fid=279%2D461

[randy48]

Can you run it out one window, up, and in the other?

[fyxxer32]

Im sure you could run it out the window as long as you didnt let the window slam down on the phone cord...I dont know about windows in Japan , how heavy they are anyway..but it ought to be fine. But wouldnt it be easier to run it down? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by fyxxer32 (edited 03-28-2001).]

[Thud]

Running the line out and into a first-floor window really isn't an attractive option. First, all the windows are the tight, sharp edged aluminum frames, and it's cold here-- gotta retain all the heat I can! It would be a more viable solution this summer, though. It would really take one helluva long line to get down there going around the outside of the building.

As Roy mentioned, I thought there might just be such a thing as a cordless modem, or something similar. Shopping at a store here in town I did find a basic wireless LAN kit. I got to thinking that maybe I could use some spare parts to set up a small server downstairs by my phone jack... but, that doesn't strike me as being too practical. But, if I get desperate, I might try it!

Also, the reel thing would be nice, if I could get one that'd handle more cord.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep the ideas coming, and I'll keep you posted.

[This message has been edited by Thud (edited 03-29-2001).]

[Bsdboy]

Back here in the States you can get wireless
phone jacks.The ones I've seen claim to
work at 56k I don't know how well they
work but you might find something similar
there.

Bsdboy

[This message has been edited by Bsdboy (edited 03-29-2001).]