RCA Wireless Phone Jack System
& RCA Wireless Modem Jack System

By Lowell Conn, Cyberwalker Media Syndicate

In theory, the RCA Wireless Phone Jack System is ambitious and versatile. Who hasn't had the itch to break the limitation of placing phones near available jacks, or found themselves in a new office or home without phone jacks where they are needed?

In theory, the RCA Wireless Phone Jack Systems -- also available as a Wireless Modem System -- transforms your wall socket into a conductor for telephone calls. Just plug the base component into a power source and a phone jack, then attach the additional component to any wall socket on the premises. Plug a phone into the additional component and you can use your phone from any wall socket in the house.

In practice, the system does not exactly live up to its promise. Sure, the system works and allows you to avoid using more than one telephone jack if you don't want to. Yes, the system will save the time and money spent having phone company contractors rip open your walls to add new phone jacks.

But the true measure is in the quality of the phone service provided, and that is where the RCA Wireless Phone Jack System fails. Plain and simple, the phones attached to wall sockets have line noise and static. Not overwhelming line noise, not obstructive static. But it is there and you can hear it, with each and every call you make.

The included instructions -- it should be noted that installing the system is very simple and intuitive -- try to address line noise and static. The components include a security coding system, similar in concept, if not design, to that utilized by portable phones. Presumably, at its optimum running capability, there should be no apparent static on the phone line.

All of the tips and solutions laid out in the manual -- even trying the unit in different venues -- were attempted, to no avail.

The modem variant fared better and connected clearly with an Internet service at 33.6k. There is real utility here, especially for users prone to setting up their laptops everywhere and anywhere and do not want to be hampered by telephone jack availability. Nevertheless, the sizeable wall plug-in component could make lugging it around with your laptop inconvenient.

The RCA Wireless Phone Jack System and the RCA Wireless Modem Jack System are innovative products. The phone system has problems, particularly line noise, which render it useless for small business interactions. At its best, the Wireless Phone Jack System is most convenient for operations that are at a temporary office location and plan on installing phone jacks in all the right places at their new base of operations.

Reviewer's rating: 2.5 / 5
Comments: Great concept, would earn a lot more points if it offered 100 percent clear sound. Wireless Modem Jack works fine, but the whole package is of questionable value.
Price:
Phone Jack System $65 US / $90 CDN
Modem Jack System $60 US / $90 CDN
Where to buy: Dynadirect (phone jack) & Catalog City (modem jack)

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