6K V1.02 03-16-91
86
AUTOPATCH
RESTRICTIONS
A feature of the autopatch is the ability to restrict calls to certain groups of telephone numbers. You
do this by placing phone numbers into two tables in the controller's memory: a table of Accepted
numbers and a table of Rejected numbers. Each time an autopatch call is placed, the telephone
number is checked against the tables. The controller then decides whether to allow the call to go
through.
The Accept and Reject tables may contain specific telephone numbers, or they may contain
telephone numbers with
wildcard
characters (DTMF
“A”). The use of wildcard characters allows
groups
of Accepted or Rejected numbers to be compared to the number being dialed.
There are many uses for call restriction. Certain troublesome numbers can be placed in the Reject
table, making the number unavailable via command or macros. These could include commercial
phone numbers, or perhaps the phone numbers of club members owing dues. In some areas, it is
possible to place toll calls to another exchange by dialing only a 7-digit number. To prevent the
repeater phone line from accumulating monthly toll charges, simply place the local exchange
numbers in the Accept table, and program the Call Types for Accepted numbers only.
In some areas, important numbers (such as police, fire, or ambulance) require a long distance call.
Since the owner may not want to open the repeater to all toll calls, he may simply program those
few important numbers into the Accept table. Other toll calls will not be permitted if the Call Types
list does not include them.
Since the Call Types table does not include all types of calls that exist, the restrictions feature may
be used again. For example, some areas of the country have 911 emergency service. The Call
Types command does not have a category for 3-digit numbers, so 911 may be placed into the
Accept table.
NOTE: You may not want the autopatch to be able to call 911. The coverage area of the repeater
may overlap into different emergency organization service areas or 911 dispatch centers, a 911 call
may delay the required emergency response because of telephone company routing of the call to
the wrong location. Many 911 systems in use display the address of the 911 call to the dispatcher,
this could cause some confusion (you may want to notify the 911 dispatch center that the telephone
number used by the autopatch is connected to a mobile radio system).
Check with the 911 answering organization before allowing direct dialing of the 911 number. You
may want to create autodial macros to route emergency calls to the correct dispatch center. With
repeater coverage areas covering multiple communities, counties and states, the routing of
emergency calls is VERY IMPORTANT to save valuable time and reduce confusion.
