The Beige Box
The Beige Box, essentially a lineman's handset. What can it do? Plug it in, and listen in on your neighbor's conversations. I'm sure you've all wanted to eavesdrop on some juicy bits of information that 14 year old blonde is jabbering about. Sure, you could steal a lineman's handset from the back of a Ameritech telephone truck, but wouldn't it be easier to make one yourself?
Instructions
The construction is very simple. First you must understand the concept of the device. In a modular jack, there are four wires. These are red, green, yellow, and black. For a single line telephone, however, only two matter: the red (ring) and green (tip). The yellow and the black are not neccessary for this project. A lineman's handset has two clips on it: the ring and the tip. Take a modular jack and look at the bottom of it's casing. There should be a grey jack with four wires (red, green, yellow & black) leading out of it. To the end of the red wire attach a red aligator clip. To the end of the green wire attatch a green aligator clip. The yellow and black wires can be removed, although I would only set them aside so that you can use the modular jack in future projects. Now insert your telephone's modular plug into the modular jack. That's it. This particular model is nice because it is can be easily made, is inexpensive, uses common parts that are readily available, is small, is lightweight, and does not require the destruction of a phone.
Uses
Now you have a Beige Box, how are you going to use it? There are many uses for a Beige Box. However, before you can use it, you must know how to attach it to the output device. This device can be of any of Bell switching apparatus that include germinal sets (i.e. remote switching centers, bridgin heads, cans, etc.). To open most Bell Telephone switching apparatus, you must have a 7/16 inch hex driver (or a good pair of needle nose pliers work also). This piece of equipment can be picked up at your local hardware store. With your hex driver (or pliers), turn the security bolt(s) approximately 1/8 of an inch counter-clockwise and open. If your output device is locked, then you must have some knowledge of destroying and/or picking locks. However, we have never encountered a locked output device. Once you have opened your output device, you should see a mass of wires connected to terminals. On most output devices, the terminals should be labeled "T" (Tip -- if not labeled, it is usually on the left) and "R" (Ring -- if not labeled, usually on the right).
Remember: Ring - red - right. The "Three R's" -- a simple way to remember which is which. Now you must attach all the red alligator clip
(Ring) to the "R" (Ring) terminal.
Attach the green alligator clip (Tip) to the "T" (Tip) terminal.
Note: If instead of a dial tone you hear nothing, adjust the alligator clips so that they are not touching each other terminals. Also make sure they are firmly attached. By this time you should hear a dial tone. Dial ANI to find out the number you are using (you wouldn't want to use your own). Here are some practicle uses for a Beige Box:
1. Eavesdropping (of course)
Don't forget to attach the box, then the phone
2. Free Phone Calls
They'll charge it to your neighbor
3. Harassing the Operator
Guess who the line gets traced to?
4. Blackmailing People (See #1)
Self-Explanatory
5. Harassing Anyone
Again, Caller-ID will trace it to the person. Harass a lot of people with Caller-ID and that are quick to call the cops, then watch from a window.
6. Blue Boxing Without Getting Caught
Self-Explanatory
Risks
Don't overuse the Beige Box, if the police start an investigation, stop immediately. Don't wait until the F.B.I., Secret Service, Military, etc. gets involved. If you are caught, you are sure to get the Beige Box confiscated, pay the people's phone bills, and maybe some community service or jail time.
Tips
1. Choose a secluded spot
2. Use more than one output device
3. Make sure no one sees you
4. Put tape over the output device, so you will know if someone has been screwing around.
5. Bring a hammer to smash the box in case you are caught.
Now, imagine the possibilities: a $2000 dollar phone bill for that special person, 900 numbers galore, even harassing the operator at no risk to you! Think of it as walking into an enemies house, and using their phone to your heart's content.
