From the Go2Mac mail bag we present Michael’s (sorry, no last name) review of the Phonex/RCA PX-441 Wireless Modem Phone Jack.
The problem – you just moved your Mac into another room of your house, but you don?t have a phone line to connect to. The solution? The Phonex Wireless Modem Phone Jack!
The Wireless Modem Phone Jack is probably the easiest thing I?ve ever set up. All you need to do is plug the base unit, which is identified by its? two phone jacks, into an electrical outlet near an active phone jack. Then plug the remote unit (which has only one phone jack) into an electrical outlet near the computer or wherever you want your new phone jack.
The last step in the installation process is to set the security function of the system. This makes sure that the two units talk to each other and only each other. This is great if you?re in an apartment building and don?t want your upstairs neighbor to ?obtain? a remote unit and possibly listen to your voice calls!
To set the security, all you do is depress a button on the base unit, which lights an LED. Then you depress a button on the remote unit, and you will see the remote unit?s LED blink once. That?s it – the security is set, and your new phone jack is ready to rock and roll.
I tested the Phonex Remote Phone Jack with my B/W G3?s internal modem, as well as my TiVo Personal TV box. It worked flawlessly. One drawback is that due to the inherent noise of the electrical lines, you can only achieve about 33.6k when using a 56k modem. I was able to connect at 38k, so it may vary slightly depending on your lines, but the company does ?warn? that 33.6k is about the limit of the technology.
Bottom line – if you?re looking for a clean, simple way to get another phone jack somewhere in your home or apartment, this is the way to go. The average price for the Remote Phone Jack is between $50-$70, which is definitely cheaper than paying for an installation of a real phone jack, and this one can be moved anywhere, anytime. You can find it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Radio Shack, Wal Mart, etc.
