Best Ways to Use a Phone Line as a Fax Line

It is easy to receive almost any type of document over the Internet, including a fax. Sending and receiving a fax online is quite easy. Some folks still prefer to use an old-fashioned fax line, which makes it easier to scan paperwork and send it to another party. There are some simple ways to use a phone line as a fax line.

Distinctive Ring

Adding a distinctive ring to your phone will make it simple to determine when your phone line is receiving a fax, versus a phone call. The phone ring can make a distinctive ring for the fax line, and you can have the phone company set it up as a separate line. Give people the new phone number to use as the fax number, and you will know when a fax is coming into your home office.

Accept Faxes

Fix the answer machine to accept all the faxes that come through. This means accepting faxes even if you are using your phone for a telephone call. Since many fax machines have a distinctive ring pattern (DRPD), you will be able to set the fax machine to recognize the special ring and do a test fax. Also, set the fax machine to print out a confirmation page after every fax, whether successful or unsuccessful.

Phone Splitter

Remember to use a phone splitter that plugs directly into your phone outlet. This will allow your phone and fax machine to be plugged into one phone jack. After the phone splitter is hooked up, remember to test the phone line to make sure you get a dial tone.

Test the Fax Machine

Test the fax machine by inserting a page into the machine and send a test fax to a friend. Test that the confirmation system works and call your recipient to make sure that the fax was received.