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Using TTY or TDD with your SouthernLINC phone


arrow Definition of TTY
arrow Requirements
arrow How to Make a TTY Call With a SouthernLINC Wireless Phone
arrow Ending a TTY Call
arrow TTY Etiquette
arrow TTY Abbreviation List
arrow References and Resources

Definition of TTY

Teletypewriter - A low speed teleprinter, often abbreviated TTY. They are assistive devices for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired.

Requirements

Phone Requirements
The following SouthernLINC Wireless phones can be used with TTY devices:
  • i30sx
  • i58sr
  • i85s
  • i90c
  • future phones
Other Requirements
  • Phone software must be Release-Two or higher.
  • The TTY feature must be "turned on" as the default on the phone.
  • A TTY device with a 2.5mm audio jack.
Software
If your phone does not have software that is Release-Two or higher, you can get a free software upgrade from a SouthernLINC Wireless technician. To request an appointment with a technician in your local sales office, click here http://www.southernlinc.com/customersupport/servdepts.asp.

Turning on the TTY Feature
There are three ways that a SouthernLINC Wireless Technician or Customer Support Representative can turn on the TTY feature on your phone:
  1. Schedule an appointment with a local SouthernLINC Wireless technician by calling your local sales office.
  2. Click on this link http://www.southernlinc.com/customersupport/servdepts.asp, select your geographic area and request an appointment.
  3. Call 1-800-406-0151 and a Customer Support Representative will walk you through the steps.
Equipment needed for using TTY with a Plus unit:
  • A computer with HyperTerminal (Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT).
  • A programming cable (iDEN Data Cable NKN6521/6522)
  • The unit must be provisioned with Circuit Switch Data. In order to get Circuit Switch Data provisioned on your Plus phone, contact the SouthernLINC Wireless Customer Care Department at 1-800-406-0151.
  • The baud rate on the phone should be set to 19200. To check the baud rate, on the Plus series press *# 60. The menu item will read, “60=Set Baud Rate: Auto.” Press the soft key under “Ok.” Press the right arrow key until the screen reads, “Baud Rate 19200” and press the soft key under “Ok.” The screen will return to the “60=Set Baud Rate” menu item and the rate will be set at 19200. Press the soft under “Ok.” In order to change the baud rate in an im1000, see the Wireless Data User’s Guide.

How to use TTY with a SouthernLINC Wireless phone

Making a TTY call with a Plus phone:
  1. Attach the unit to the data cable. Ensure that the data cable is attached to the computer’s communications port.
  2. From your computer desktop, click on Start.
  3. Go to Program and click on Accessories.
  4. Go to and select the HyperTerminal folder.
  5. In the HyperTerminal folder, click on HyperTerminal.
  6. The HyperTerminal screen will appear with a window titled “Connection Description.” In the Name block, type in “SouthernLINC Wireless TTY Connection.” Click on OK.
  7. The “Connect To” window will appear. In the phone number field, type the number of the TTY device you are trying to contact, using the area code. For calls to the SouthernLINC Wireless Customer Care department, type 2058743838.
  8. In the “Connect Using” field, ensure that the “Standard 19200 bps Modem” is displayed. Click OK.
  9. The “Connect” window will appear. Click the tab titled, “Modify.”
  10. A box will appear titled “SouthernLINC Wireless TTY Connection” will appear. Uncheck the “Use country/region code and area box.”
  11. Click on the “Settings” tab.
  12. Click on the “ASCII Setup” option. Ensure that the “Echo typed characters locally” option is checked and click “OK.”
  13. Click on the “Connect To” tab.
  14. Click on the “Configure” option.
  15. Click on the “Connection” tab.
  16. Click on the “Advanced” option.
  17. In the “Extra Settings” option, type the following text: atz1+cbst=129 (Do not put a period at the end of this line).
  18. Click on “OK.”
  19. The “Standard 19200 bps Modem Properties” box will appear. Click on “OK.”
  20. The “SouthernLINC Wireless TTY Connection” box will appear. Click on “OK.”
  21. Click on the “Dial” option. HyperTerminal will call the TTY number you are trying to reach.
  22. Begin typing your message.

Ending a TTY call with a Plus phone

  1. Once you are ready to disconnect the call, press and hold down the SHIFT key on your computer keyboard. At the same time, press the “+” sign on your keyboard three times. Depress the SHIFT key and the “+” key. HyperTerminal screen will read, “OK.”
  2. Type ATH and press the key on your computer’s keyboard. This will disconnect the call.
Red Signal Lights
The red signal light will let you know what is happening on the telephone line. They can be interpreted as follows:
  • Steady glowing red flashes: Dial tone
  • Slow red blinking flashes: Phone is ringing
  • Fast red blinking flashes: Telephone line is busy
  • Flickering red light: A hearing person answered by voice. Press the space bar a few times to let him/her know it is a TTY call.

TTY Etiquette

When two people converse via TTY, one types while the other reads. Like most forms of communication, TTY has its own standards and etiquette. For example, there are standard abbreviations that are used for convenience and efficiency.

A commonly-used abbreviation is "GA" which mean "Go ahead." By typing "GA" at the end of a transmission, it lets the person you're conversing with know when to type a response. Typing "SK" at the end of the conversation means "I'm finished." "GA" or "SK" are polite ways to say goodbye, giving the other person a chance to get in any last thoughts before hanging up.

Another commonly used abbreviation is "Q," which is often used instead of question mark because it is easier to type. Using other punctuation is up to the individual. Some people use periods and commas, others do not.

"STOP" may be used when the conversation is garbled. A garbled conversation is one in which letters, numbers, and characters appear on the screen instead of words. If this happens, allow the person to finish typing their message. When you see "GA", type "STOP. PLS REPEAT."

A list of commonly used abbreviations is below.

TTY Abbreviation List

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z              

 

ABT
About   OIC Oh I see
ANS Answer OFC Office
ASAP As soon as possible OC Open-captioned
ASST Assistant OPR Operator
BIZ
Business OXOX Love and Kisses
CA Communication Assistant (Relay Operator) PRGM Program
CC Close-captioned PLS Please
CD Could PPL People
CHK Check PROB Problem
CMTY Community PRO Professional
CN Can Q Question
COLL College R
Are
CTR Center RD Read
CUL See you later REC Receive
CSTMR Customer SCHL School
GA Go ahead SPEC Special
GA TO SK Go ahead if you have more to say but I'm finished SRVC or SVC or SERV Service
GOVT Government SHD Should
HAND Have a nice day SK Stop Keying (end of call)
HD Hold SKSK Hanging Up
HLTH Health TERP Interpreter
HCO Hearing Carry Over (Relay Service) THX Thanks
HOH or HH hard-of-hearing THRU Through
HOSP Hospital TRS Telecommunications Relay Service
INFO Information TY Thank you
ILY I love you TMW Tomorrow
IMPT important U You
KIT Keep in touch UR Your
LK FRWD Look forward URS Yours
LTR Letter VCO Voice Carry Over (Relay Service)
LV Leave WML Wallace Memorial Library
MIN Minute XX Error
MSG Message    
MTG Meeting    
N
And    
NBR or NU Number    
NITE Night    
NP No Problem    
NOYB None of your business    
NTID National Technical Institute for the Deaf    


References and Resources

Wallace Library/Rochester Institute of Technology. FAQ's and general TTY etiquette tips for new TTY users. Retrieved May 28, 2002, from http://www.wally.rit.edu/.

Programming Procedures for Interconnect Roaming, Version 1.0, SouthernLINC Wireless, Technology Development Engineering.

Wireless Data User's Guide. Motorola Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL. (February, 2000).

 


 
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