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- The incredible Help Program for Blue Boxing
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- Presented by Keepermann
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- Better Homes and Blue Boxing
-
- Part I
-
- Theory of Operation
-
- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
-
- To quote Karu Bluel Marx, blue boxing has always been the most able form of
- phreaking. As opposed to such things as using an MCI code to make a free
- fone call, which is merely mindless pseudo-phreaking, blue boxing is
- actual interaction with the Bell System toll network. It is likewise
- advisable to be more cautious when blue boxing, but the careful phreak
- will not be caught, regardless of what type of switching system he is under.
- In this part, I will explain how and why blue boxing works, as well as
- where. Ind h later parts, I will give more practical information for blue
- boxing and routing information.
- To begin with, blue boxing is simply communicating with trunks. Trunks must
- not be confused with subscriber lines (or "customer loops") which are
- standard telefone lines. Trunks are those lines that connect central
- offices. Now, when trunks are not in use (i.e., idle or "on-hook" state)
- they have 2600Hz applied to them. If they are two-way trunks, there is
- 2600Hz in both directions. When a trunk IS in use (busy or "off-hook"
- state"), the 2600Hz is removed from the side that is off-hook. The 2600Hz
- is therefore known as a supervisory signal, because it indicates the
- status of a trunk; on hook (tone) or off-hook (no tone). Note also that
- 2600Hz denoted SF (single frequency) signalling and is "in-band." This is
- very important. "In-band" means that it is within the band of frequencies
- that may be transmitted over normal telefone lines. Other SF signals, such
- as 3700Hz are used also. However, they cannot be carried over the telefone
- network normally (they are "out-of- band") and are therefore not able to
- be taken advantage of as 2600Hz is.
- Back to trunks. Let's take a hypothetical phone call. You pick up
- your fone and dial 1+806-258-1234 (your good friend in Armarillo,
- Texas). For ease, we'll assume that you are on #5 Crossbar switching and
- not in the 806 area. Your central office (CO) would recognize that
- 806 is a foreign NPA, so it would route the call to the toll centre
- that serves you. [For the sake of accuracy here, and for the more
- experienced readers, note that the CO in question is a class 5 with
- LAMA that uses out-of-band SF supervisory signalling]. Depending
- on where you are in the country, the call would leave yq iour toll centre
- (on more trunks) to another toll centre, or office of higher "rank".
- Then it would be routed to central office 806-258 eventually and the
- call would be completed. Illustration:
-
- A---CO1-------TC1------TC2----CO2----B
-
- A=you
- CO1=your central office
- TC1=your toll office.
- TC2=toll office in Amarillo.
- CO2=806-258 central office.
- B=your friend (806-258-1234)
-
- In this situation it would be realistic to say that CO2 uses SF
- in-band (2600Hz) signalling, while all the others use out-of-band
- signalling (3700Hz). If you don't understand this, don't worry too much.
- I am pointing this out merely for the sake of accuracy. The point is that
- while you are connected to 806-258- 1234, all those trunks from YOUR
- central office (CO1) to the 806-258 central office (CO2) do *NOT* have
- 2600Hz on them, indicating to the Bell equipment that a call is in
- progress and the trunks are in use.
- Now let's say you're tired of talking to your friend in Amarillo
- (806-258-1234) so you send 2600Hz down the line. This tone travels down
- the line to your friend's central office (CO2) where it is detected.
- However, a that CO thinks that the 2600Hz is originating from Bell
- equipment, indicating to it that you've hung up, and thus the trunks
- are once again idle (with 2600Hz present on them). But actually, you
- have not hung up, you have fooled the equipment at your friend's CO into
- thinking you have. Thus,it disconnects him and resets the equipment to
- prepare for the next call. All this happens very quickly (300-800ms for
- step-by-step equipment and 150-400ms for other equipment).
- When you stop sending 2600Hz (after about a second), the equipment thinks
- that another call is coming towards it (e.g. it thinks the far end has
- come "off-hook" since the tone has stopped. It could be thought of as a
- toggle switch: tone --> on hook, no tone -->off hook. Now that you've
- stopped sending 2600Hz, several things happen:
- 1) A trunk is seized.
-
- 2) A "wink" is sent to the CALLING end from the CALLED end indicating that
- the CALLED end (trunk) is not ready to receive digits yet.
-
- 3) A register is found and attached to the CALLED end of the trunk within
- about two seconds (max).
-
- 4) A start-dial signal is sent to the CALLING end from the CALLED end
- indicating that the CALLED end is ready to receive digits.
-
- Now, all of this is pretty much transparent to the blue boxer. All he
- really hears when these four things happen is a <beep><kerchunk>. So,
- seizure of a trunk would go something like this:
-
- 1> Send a 2600Hz
- 2> Terminate 2600Hz after 1-2 secs.
- 3> [beep][kerchunk]
-
- Once this happens, you are connected to a tandem that is ready to obey your
- every command. The next step is to send signalling information in order
- to place your call. For this you must simulate the signalling used by
- operators and automatic toll-dialing equipment for use on trunks. There
- are mainly two systems, DP and MF. However, DP went out with the dinosaur
- , so I'll only discuss MF signalling. MF (multi-frequency) signalling is the
- signalling used by the majority of the inter- and intra-lata network. It is
- aO also used in international dialing known as the CCITT no.5 system.
- MF signalling consists of 7 frequen- cies, beginning with 700Hz and
- separated by 200Hz. A different set of two of the 7 frequencies represent the
- digits 0 thru 9, plus an additional 5 special keys. The frequencies and uses
- are as follows:
-
- Frequencies (Hz) Domestic Int'l
- --------------------------------------
- 700+900 1 1
- 700+1100 2 2
- 900+1100 3 3
- 700+1300 4 4
- 900+1300 5 5
- 1100+1300 6 6
- 700+1500 7 7
- 900+1500 8 8
- 1100+1500 9 9
- 1300+1500 0 0
-
- 700+1700 SM Code 11
- 900+1700 STp Code 12
- 1100+1700 KP KP1
- 1300+1700 ST2p KP2
- 1500+1700 ST ST
-
- The timing of all the MF signals is a nominal 60ms, except for KP, which
- should have a duration of 100ms. There should also be a 60ms silent period
- between digits. This is very flexible, however, and most Bell equipment will
- accept outrageous timings.
- In addition to the standard uses listed above, MF pulsing also has
- expanded uses known as "expanded inband signalling" that include such
- things as coin collect, coin return, ringback, operator attached, and
- operator released. KP2, code 11, and code 12 and the ST (STart "primes")
- all have special uses which will be mentioned only briefly here.
- To complete a call using a blue box, once seizure of a trunk has been
- accomplished by sending 2600Hz and pausing for the <beep><kerchunk>, one
- must first send a KP. This readies the register for the digits that follow.
- For a standard domestic call, the KP would be followed by either 7 digits
- (if the call were in the same NPA as the seized trunk) or 10 digits (if the
- call were not in the same NPA as the seized trunk). [Exactly like dialing a
- normal fone call. Following either the KP and 7 or 10 digits, a STart is
- sent to signify that no more digits follow. Example of a complete call:
-
- 1> Dial 1-806-258-1234
- 2> wait for a call-progress indication (such as ring, busy,
- recording, etc.)
- 3> Send 2600Hz for about 1 second.
- 4> Wait for about 2 seconds while a trunk is seized.
- 5> Send KP+305+994+9966+ST
-
- The call will then connect if every- thing was done properly. Note that if
- a call to an 806 number were being placed in the same situation, the area
- code would be omitted and only KP+ seven digits+ST would be sent.
- Code 11 and code 12 are used in international calling to request
- certain types of operators. KP2 is used in international calling to route
- a call other than by way of the normal route, whether for economic or
- equipment reasons.
- STp, ST2p, and ST3p (prime, two prime, and three prime) are used in
- TSPS signalling to indicate calling type of call (such as coin-direct
- dialed).
- This has been Part I of Better Homes and Blue Boxing. I hope you
- enjoyed and learned from it. If you have any questions, comments, threats
- or insults, please fell free to drop me a line. If you have noticed any
- errors in this text (yes, it does happen), please let me know and
- perhaps a correction will be in order. Part II will deal mainly with more
- advanced principles of blue boxing, as well as routings and operators.
-
- Note 1: other highly trunkable areas include: 816,305,813,609,205.
- I personally have excellent luck boxing off of 609-953-0000. Try that
- if you have any trouble.
-
-
- Better Homes and Blue Boxing
- Part II
- Practical Applications
- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-
- (It is assumed that the reader has read and understood Part i of this series).
- The essential purpose of blue boxing in the beginning was merely to receive
- toll services free of charge. Though this can still be done, blue boxing has
- essentially outlived its usefulness in this area. Modern day "extenders" and
- long distance services provide a safer and easier way to make free fone calls.
- However, you can do things with a blue box that just can't be done with any-
- thing else. For ordinary toll-fraud, a blue box is impractical for the
- following reasons:
-
- 1. Clumsy equipment required (blue box or equivalent)
- 2. Most boxed calls must be made through an extender. Not for
- safety reasons, but for reasons I'll explain later.
- 3. Connections are often sacrificed because considerable distances
- must be dialed to cross a seizable trunk, in addition to
- awkward routing.
-
- As stated in reason #2, boxed calls are usually made through an extender.
- This is for billing reasons. If you recall from Part i, 2600Hz is used as a
- "supervisory" signal. That is, it signals the status of a trunk--
- "on-hook" or "off-hook." When you seize a trunk (by briefly sending
- 2600Hz), your end (the CALLING end) goes on hook for the duration of the
- 2600Hz and then goes off-hook once again when the 2600Hz is terminated.
- The CALLED end recognizes that a call is on the way and attaches a register,
- which inerprets the digits which are to be sent. Now, understand that even
- though your end has come off-hook (no 2600Hz present), the other end is
- still on-hook. You may wonder then, why, if the other end (the CALLED end)
- is still on-hook, there is no 2600Hz coming the other way on the trunk,
- when there should be. This is correct. 2600Hz *IS* present on the trunk when
- you seize it and afterwards, but you cannot hear it because of a Band
- Elimination Filter (BEF) at your central office.
- Back to the problem. Remember that when you seize a trunk, 2600Hz is
- indeed coming the other way on the trunk because the CALLED end is still
- on-hook, but you don't actually hear it because of a filter. However, the
- Bell equipment knows it's there (they can "hear" it). The presence of the
- 2600Hz is telling the billing equipment that your call has not yet been
- completed (i.e., the CALLED end is still on-hook). When finally you do
- connect with your boxed call, the 2600Hz from the called end terminates.
- This tells the billing equipment that someone picked up the fone at the
- CALLED end and you should begin to be billed. So you do start to get billed,
- but for the call to the trunk, NOT the boxed call. Your billing equipment
- thinks that you've connected with the number you used to seize the trunk.
-
- Illustration:
-
- 1. You call 1+806-258-2222
- (directly)
- 2. Status of trunks:
-
- <---- you ------------------------------->
- (You) 806-258-2222
- No 2600Hz-------> <------------2600Hz
-
- When you seize a trunk (before the number you called answers) there is
- no affect on your billing equipment. It simply thinks that you're still
- waiting for the call to complete (the CALLED end is still on-hook; it
- is ringing, busy, going to recorder or intercepts operator.
- Now, let's say that you've sezied a trunk (806-258-2222) and for example,
- KP+314+949+1705+ST. The call is routed from the tandem you seized to:
- 314-949-1705.
-
- Illustration:
-
- <------------------>O<--------------->
- (You) 806 314-949
- tandem
- No 2600Hz----------> <----------2600Hz
-
- Note that the entire path towards the right (the CALLED end) has no
- 2600Hz present and is therefore "off- hook." The entire path towards the left
- (the CALLING end) does have 2600Hz present on it, indicating that the
- CALLED end has not picked up (or come "off-hook"). When 314-949-1705 answers,
- "answer supervision" is given and the 2600Hz towards the left (the CALLING
- end) terminates. This tells your billing ! nequipment, which thinks that
- you're still waiting to be connected with 806-258-2222, that you've
- finally connected. Billing then begins to 806-258-2222. Not exactly an
- suspicious beginning for an aspiring young phone phreak.
- To avoid this, several actions may be taken. As previously mentioned,
- one may avoid being charged for the number called to seize a trunk by
- using an extender (in which case the extender will get billed). In some
- areas, boxing may be accomplished using an 800 number, generally in the
- format of 800-858-xxxx (many Amarillo numbers) or 800-NN2-xxxx (special
- intra-state class in-WATS numbers). However, boxing off of 800 numbers is
- impossible in many areas. In my area, Denver, I am served by #1A ESS and it
- is impossible for me to box off of any 800 number.
- Years ago, in the early days of blue boxing (before my time), phreaks often
- used directory assistance to box off of because they were "free" long
- distance calls. However, because of competetive long distance co mpanies,
- directory assistance surcharges are now $0.50 in many areas. It is
- additionally advised that directory assistance numbers not be used to box
- from because of the following:
- Average DA calls last under 2 minutes. When you box a call, chances
- are that it will last considerably longer. Thus, the Bell billing equip-
- ment will make a note of calls to directory assistance that last a long
- time. A call to a directory assistant lasting for 4 hours and 17 minutes
- may appear somewhat suspicious.
- Although the date, time, and length of a DA call do not appear on the bill,
- it is recorded on AMA tape and will trip a trouble report if it were to
- last too long. This is how most phreaks were discovered in the old
- days. Also, sometimes too many calls lasting too long to one 800 number
- may raise a few eyebrows at the local security office.
- Assuming you can complete a blue box call, the following are listed routings
- for various Bell internal operators. These are in the format of KP+NPA+
- special routing+1X1+ST, which I will explain later. The 1X1 is the actual
- operator routing, and NPA and NPA+ special routing are used for out-of-
- area code calls and out-of-area code calls requiring special routing,
- respectively.
-
- KP+101+ST ...... a toll test board
- KP+121+ST ...... inward op
- KP+131+ST ...... directory assistance
- KP+141+ST ...... was rate & route. Now only works in 312, 815, 717,
- and a few others. It has been replaced with a univer-
- sal rate & route number, 800+141+1212.
- KP+151+ST ...... overseas completion operator (inbound). Works
- only in certain NPAs, such as 303.
- KP+181+ST ...... in some areas, toll station for small towns
-
- Thus, if you seize a trunk 806 NPA and wanted an inward (in 806), then you
- would dial KP+121+ST. If you wanted a 312 inward and were dialing on an 806
- trunk, an area code would be required. Thus, you would dial KP+312+121+ST.
- Finally, some places in the network require special routing, in addition to
- an area code. An example is Franklin Park, Ill. It requires a special
- routing of 032. For this, you would dial KP+312+032+121+ST for a Franklin
- Park inward operator.
- Special routings are in the format of 0XX. They are used primarily for
- load balance, so that traffic flow may be evenly distributed. About half
- of the exchanges in the network require special routing. Note that
- special routings are NEVER EVER EVER used to dial normal telephone numbers,
- only operators.
-
- Operator functions:
-
- TOLL TEST BOARD- Generally a cordboard position that assists in trunk testing.
- They are not used by operators, only switchmen.
-
- INWARD- Assists the normal TSPS (0+) operator in completing calls out of
- the TSPS's area. Also, inwards perform emergency inerrupts when the number to
- be interrupted is out of the area code of the original (TSPS) operator. For
- example, a 303 operator has a customer that needs an emergency interrupt on
- 215-647-6969. The 303 operator gets the routing for the inward that covers
- 215-647, since she cannot do the interrupt herself. The routing is
- found to be only 215+ (no special routing required). So, the 303 operator
- keys KP+215+121+ST. An inward answers and the 303 says to her, "Inward, this
- is Denver. I need an emergency interrupt on 215-647-6969. My
- customer's name is Mark Tabas." The inward will then do the interrupt (off
- the line, of course). If the number to be interrupted had required special
- routing, such as, say, 312-456-1234 (spec routing 032), then the 303
- operator would dial KP+312+032+121+ST for the inward to do that interrupt.
-
- DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE- These are the normal NPA+555+1212 operators that
- assist customers with obtaining telefone directory listings. Not much
- toll-fraud potential here, except maybe $0.50.
-
- RATE AND ROUTE- These operators are reached by dialing KP+800+141+1212+ST.
- They assist normal (TSPS) operators with rates and routings (thus the
- name). The only uses I typically have for them are the following:
-
- 1. Routing information. In the above example, when the 303 operator needed
- to dial an inward that served 215-647, she needed to know if any special
- routing was required and, if so, what it was. Assuming she would use rate
- and route, she would dial them and say nicely,"Operator's route, please, for
- 215-647." Rate & route would respond with "215 plus." This means that the
- operator would dial KP+215+121+ST to reach the inward that serves 215-647.
- If there were special routing required,such as in 312-456,rate & route would
- respond with "312 plus 032 plus." In that case, the operator would dial
- KP+312+032+ST for the inward that serves 312-456.
- It is good practice to ask for "operator's route" specifically, as
- there are also "numbers route" and "directory routes." If you do not
- specifically ask for operator's route, rate & route will generally assume
- that is what you want anyway.
- "Numbers" route refers to overseas calls. Example, you want to know how to
- reach a number in Geneva, Switzerland (and you already have the number). You
- would call routing and say "Numbers route, please, Geneva, Switzerland."
- The operator would respond with: "Mark 41+22. 011+041+ST (plus) 041+22"
- The "Mark 41+22" has to do with billing, so disregard it. The 011+041
- is access to the overseas gateway (to be discussed in Part III) and the 041+
- 22+ is the routing for Geneva from the overseas sender.
- "Directory" routings are for directory assistance overseas. Example:
- you want a DA in Rome, Italy. You would call rate & route and say, "Directory
- routing please, for Rome, Italy." They would respond with "011+039+ST (plus)
- 039+1108 STart." As in the previous example, the 011+039 is access to the
- overseas gateway. The 039+1108 is a directory assistant in Rome.
-
- 2. Nameplace information. Rate & Route will give you the location of an NPA+
- exchange. Example: "Nameplace please, for 215-648." The operator would
- respond with "Paoli, Pennsylvania." This isn't especially useful, since you
- can get the same information (legally) by dialing 0, but using rate & route is
- often much faster and it avoids having to hang up when you are already on a
- trunk.
-
- *NOTE on Rate & Route: As a blue boxer, always ask for "IOTC" routings. (e.g.,
- "IOTC operator's route", "IOTC numbers route", etc.) This tells them that you
- want cordboard-type routings, not TSPS, because a blue boxer is actually just
- a cordboard position (that Bell doesn't know about).
-
- OVERSEAS COMPLETION OPERATOR (inbound)- These operators (KP+151+ST) assist in
- the completion of calls coming in to the United States from overseas. There
- are KP+151+ST operators only in a few NPAs in the country (namely 303). To
- use one, you would seize a trunk and dial KP+303+151+ST. Then you would
- tell the operator, for example, "This is Bangladesh calling. I need U.S.
- number 215-561-0562 please." (in a broken Indian accent). She would
- connect you, and the bill would be sent to Bangladesh (where I've been
- billing my KP+151+ST calls for two years).
-
- Other internal Bell Operators.
-
- KP+11501+ST ...... universal operator
- KP+11511+ST ...... conference op
- KP+11521+ST ...... mobile op
- KP+11531+ST ...... marine op
- KP+11541+ST ...... long distance terminal
- KP+11551+ST ...... time & charges op
- KP+11561+ST ...... hotel/motel op
- KP+11571+ST ...... overseas (outbound) op
-
- These 115X1 operators are identical in routing to the 1X1 operators listed
- previously, with one exception. If special routing is required (0XX),
- then the trailing 1 is left off.
-
- Examples:
-
- A 312 universal op ... KP+312+11501+ST A Franklin Park (312-456) universal
- op (special routing 032 required)................... KP+312+03 2+1150+ST
- [The trailing 1 of 11501 is left off].
-
- Purposes of 115X1 operators.
-
- UNIVERSAL- Used for collect/callback calls 2+1 to coin stations.
-
- CONFERENCE- This is a cordboard conference operator who will set up a
- conference for a customer on a manual operation basis.
-
- MOBILE- Assists in completion of calls to mobile (IMTS) type telefones
-
- MARINE- Assists in completion of calls to ocean going vessels.
-
- LONG DISTANCE TERMINAL- Now obsolete. Was used for completion of long
- distance calls.
-
- TIME & CHARGES- Will give exact costs of calls. Used to time calls and
- inform customer of exactly how much it cost.
-
- HOTEL/MOTEL- Handles calls to/from hotels and motels.
-
- OVERSEAS COMPLETION (outbound)- assists in completion of calls to oversead
- Ls points. Only works in some, if any NPAs, because overseas assistance has
- been centraized to IOCC (covered in Part iii).
-
- Note that all KP+1X1+ST and KP+115X1+ST operators automatically
- assume that you are a TSPS or cordboard operator assisting a customer with a
- call. DO NOT DO ANYTHING TO JEOPARDIZE THIS! If you do not know what to do,
- don't call these operators! Find out what to do first.
-
- This concludes Part II. There is one final part in which I will explain
- overseas dialing, IOCC (International Overseas Completion Centre), RQS
- (Rate/Quote System), and some basic scanning.
-
-
-
- ......................................
- Better Homes and Blue Boxing
- Part III
- Advanced Signalling
- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-
- (It is assumed that the reader has read and understood parts I & II before
- proceeding to this part).
-
- In parts I & II, I covered basic theory and domestic singalling and
- operators. In this part I will explain overseas direct boxing, the IOCC, the
- RQS, and some basic scanning methods.
-
- Overseas Direct Boxing.
-
- Calling outside of the United States and Canada is accomplished by using an
- "overseas gateway." There are 7 over- seas gateways in the Bell System,
- and each one is designated to serve a certain region of the world. To
- initiate an overseas call, one must first access the gateway that the call
- is to be sent on. To do this automatically, decide which country you are
- calling and find its country code. Then, pad it to the left with zeros as
- required so it is three digits. [Add 1, 2, or 3 zeros as required].
-
- Examples:
-
- Luxembourg (352) is 352 (stays the
- same)
- Spain (34) becomes 034 (1 zero added)
- U.S.S.R. (7) becomes 007 (2 zeros added)
-
- Next, seize a trunk and dial KP+011+ CC+ST. Note that CC is the three digit
- padded country code that you just determined by the above method. [For
- Luxembourg, dial KP+011+352+ST, Spain KP+011+034+ST, and the U.S.S.R. KP+011+
- 007+ST]. This is done to route you to the appropriate overseas gateway that
- handles the country you are dialing. Even though every gateway will allow
- you to dial every dialable country, it is good practice to use the gateway
- that is designated for the country you are calling.
- After dialing KP+011+CC+ST (as CC is defined above) you should be connected
- to an overseas gateway. It will acknowledge by sending a wink (which
- is audible as a <beep><kerchink> and a dial tone. Once you receive internat-
- ional dial tone, you may route your call one of two ways:
- a) as an operator-originated call, or
- b) as a customer-originated call.
- To go as a operator-originated call, key KP+ country code (NOT padded with
- zeros)+city code+number+ST. You will then be connected, providing the country
- you are calling can receive direct-dialed calls. The U.S.S.R. is an example
- of a country that cannot.
-
- Example of a boxed int'l call:
-
- To make a call to the Pope (Rome, Italy), first obtain the country code,
- which is 39. Pad it with zeros so that it is 039. Seize a trunk and dial
- KP+011+039+ST. Wait for sender dial tone and then dial KP+39+6+6982+ST.
- 39 is the country code, 6 is the city code, and 6982 is the Pope's number in
- Rome. To go as an operator-originated call, simply place a zero in front of
- the country code when dialing on the gateway. Thus, KP+0+39+6+6982+ST would
- be dialed at sender dial tone. Routing your call as operator-originated does
- not affect much unless you are dialing an operator in a foreign country
- To dial an operator in a foreign country, you must first obtain the
- operator routing from rate & route for that country. Dial rate & route and if
- you're trying to get an operator in Yugoslavia, say nicely, "IOTC
- Operator's route, please, for Yugoslavia." [In larger countries it
- may be necessary to specify a city]. Rate & route will respond with,
- "38 plus 11029". So, dial your overseas gateway, KP+011+038+ST, wait for
- sender dial tone, and key KP+0+38+ 11029+ST. You should then get an
- operator in Yugoslavia. Note that you must prefix the country code on the
- sender with a 0 because presumably only an operator here can dial an
- operator in a foreign country.
- When you dial KP+011+CC+ST for an overseas gateway, it is translated to
- a 3-digit sender code of the format 18X, depending on which sender is
- designated to handle the country you are dialing. The overseas gateways and
- their 3-digit codes are listed below.
-
- 182 ..... White Plains, NY
- 183 ..... New York, NY
- 184 ..... Pittsburg, PA
- 185 ..... Orlando, FL
- 186 ..... Oakland, CA
- 187 ..... Denver, CO
- 188 ..... New York, NY
-
- Dialing KP+182+ST would get you the sender in White Plains, and KP+183+ST
- would get the sender in NYC, etc., but the KP+011+CC+ST is highly suggested
- (as previously mentioned). To find out what sender you were routed to after
- dialing KP+011+CC+ST, dial (at int'l dial tone): KP+0000000+ST.
- If you have difficulty in reaching a sender, call rate and route and ask
- for a numbers route for the country you're dialing. Sometimes, KP+011+
- added country code+ST will not work. I have found this in many 3-digit
- country codes. Lexembourg, country code 352, for example, should be
- KP+011+352+ST theoretically. But it is not. In this case, dial KP+011+
- 003+ST for the overseas gateway. If you have trouble, try dialing KP+00+
- first digit of country code+ST, or call rate The IOCC.
-
- Sometimes when you call rate and route and ask for an "IOTC numbers
- route" or "IOTC operators route" for a foreign country, you will get
- something like "160+700" (as in the case of the Soviet Union). This means
- that the country is not dialable directly and must be handled through
- the International Overseas Completion Centre (IOCC). For an IOCC routing,
- pad the country code to the RIGHT with zeros until it is 3 digits. Then KP+160
- is dialed, plus the padded country code, plus ST.
-
- Examples:
-
- The U.S.S.R. (7) ...... KP+160+700+ST
- Japan (81) ............ KP+160+810+ST
- Uraguay (598) ......... KP+160+598+ST
-
- You will then be routed to the IOCC in Pittsburg, PA, who will ask for
- country, city, and number being dialed. Many times they will ask for a
- ringback[thanks to Telenet Bob] so have a loop ready. They will then place
- the call and call you back (or sometimes put you through directly). Some
- calls, such as to Moscow, take several hours.
-
- The Rate Quote System (RQS).
-
- The RQS is the operator's rate/quote system. It is a computer used by TSPS
- (0+) operators to get rate and route information without having to dial the
- rate and route operator. In Part II, I discussed getting an inward routing
- for dialing-assistance and emergency interrupts from the rate and route
- operators (KP+800+141+1212+ST). The same information is available from
- RQS. Say you want the inward routing for 305-994. You would sieze a trunk
- and dial KP+009+ST (to access the RQS). Sometimes, if you seize a trunk in an
- NPA not equipped with RQS, you need to dial an NPA that is equipped with RQS
- first, such as 303. Anyway, after you dial KP+009+ST or KP+303+009+ST, you
- will receive a wink (<beep><kerchink>) and then RQS dial tone. At RQS dial
- tone, for an inward routing for 305-994 you would dial KP+06+305+994+ST. That
- is, KP+06+NPA+exchange+ST. RQS will respond with "305 plus 033 plus". This
- means you would dial KP+305+033+121+ST for an inward that services 305-994.
- If no special routing were required, RQS would have responded with "305
- plus" and you would simply dial: KP+305+121+ST for an inward.
- Another RQS feature is the echo feature. You can use it to test your
- blue box. Dial RQS (KP+009+ST) and then key KP+07+1234567890+ST. RQS will
- respond with voice identification of the digits it recognized, between the
- KP+07 and ST.
- RQS can also be used for rates and directory routings, but those are
- seldom needed, so they have been omitted here.
-
- Simple Scanning.
-
- If you're interested in scanning, try dialing on are a trunk, routings
- in the format of KP+11XX1+ST. Begin with 11001 and scan to 11991. There are
- lots of interesting things to be found there, as Doctor Who (413 area) can
- tell you. Those 11XX1 routings can also be prefixed with an NPA, so if you
- want to scan area code 212, dial KP+212+ 11XX1+ST.
-
- There, now you know as much about blue boxing as most phreaks. If you
- read and understand the material, and put aside preconceived ideas of what
- blue boxing is that you may have aquired from inexperienced people or
- other bulletin boards, you should be well on you way to an enlightening
- career in blue boxing. If you follow the guidelines in Part i to box, you
- should have no problem with the fone company. Comments made by "phreaks" on
- bulletin boards that proclaim "tracing" of blue boxers are nonsense and
- should be ignored (except for a passing chuckle).
-
- NOTE 1: CCIS and the downfall of blue boxing.
-
- CCIS stands for Common Channel Interoffice Signalling. It is a signalling
- method used between electronic switching systems that eminiates the
- use of 2600Hz and 3700Hz supervisory signals, and MF pulsing. This is why
- many places cannot be boxed off of; they employ CCIS, or out-of-band
- signalling, which will not respond to any tones that you generate on the
- line. Eventually, all existing toll equipment will be upgraded or replaced
- with CCIS or T-carrier. In this case, we'll all be boxing with microwave
- dishes. Until then (about 1995 by current BOC/AT&T estimates), have fun!
-
- If you have ANY questions about this text, please feel free to drop me a
- line. I will respond to all mail, messages, etc. Insults are also
- welcomed. And if you discover anything interesting scanning, be sure to let
- me know.
-
- Mark Tabas
- $LOD$
-
- This text was prepared in full by Mark
- Tabas for:
-
- K.A.O.S.
- Philadelphia, PA.
- [215-465-3593].
-
- Any sysop may freely download this text and use it on his/her BBS, provided
- that none of it be altered in any way.
-
- Technical acknowledgements:
-
- Karl Marx, X-Man, High-Rise Joe, Telenet Bob, Lex Luthor, TUC, John Doe,
- Doctor Who (413 area), The Tone Sweep, Mr. Silicon, K00L KAT, The Glump.
-
- References:
-
- 1. Notes on the BOC Intra-LATA Networks
- Bell System publication, 1983.
- 2. Notes on the Network
- Bell System publication, 1983.
- 3. Engineering and Operations in the
- Bell System
- Bell System publication, 1983.
- 4. Notes on Distance Dialing
- Bell System publication, 1968.
- 5. Early Medieval Architecture.
- .......................................
- (c) February 6, 1900 Mark Tabas
- .......................................
-
- Call 1-305-994-9966
-
-
- -- End of File
-
- HOW TO 'BLUE BOX' INTO 'RUSSIA'
-
- BY: MARK TABAS
- AS POST .......ED ON THE GREEK INN BBS
- 312-774-2035
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- HELLO ,
- LATELY, I HAVE BEEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE SUBJECT OF BOXING INTO THE SOVIET
- UNION. WHILE I AM BY NO MEANS AN EXPERT IN THIL S, I HAVE PICKED UP A FEW
- THINGS.
-
- STANDARD DIALING TO RUSSIA WOULD BEGIN SOMETING LIKE THIS:
-
- KP+011+007+ST (FOR INT'L, SENDER)
- KP+0+95+295+9051+ST (FOR NUMBER)
-
- IF ALL WENT WELL, YOU WOULD BE ROUTED INTO RUSSIA AS AN OPERATOR-ASSISTED
- CALL. (BY THE WAY, THE NUMBER ABOVE IS THE KREMLIN). HOWEVER, SINCE ALL IS
- NOT WELL BETWEEN US AND THE SOVIETS, YOU WILL PROBABL Y GET A RECORDING. THIS
- WILL GO SOMETHING LIKE, "INTERNATIONAL DIRECT-DIAL SERVICE IS NO LONGER
- AVAILABLE TO THE SOVIET UNION-.." OR "DUE TO CIRCUT CONGESTION IN THE COUNTRY
- YOU DIALED, YOUR CALL DID NOT COMPLETE..."
- THESE RECORDINGS, HOWEVER, LIE. THEY ARE MERELY PLACED THERE TO DETER THE
- BLUE BOXER. HE HEARS THEM AND THEN, BELIEVING THEM, GIVES UP.
- SEE, THE LAST THING THAT AT&T AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL NEED IS A
- BUNCH OF 11-YEAR-OLD BLUE BOXERS CALLING RUSSIA AND SAYING SOMETHING LIKE:
-
-
- "HA HA, YOU FORNICATING COMMY PINKOS,WE'RE GONNA BOMB THE HELL OUT OF YOU!"
-
-
- SO, THEY MAKE IT *VERY* DIFFICULT TO BOX THE CALL. AS I SAID BEFORE, THE
- RECORDINGS THAT YOU GET ARE FAKES. WHEN NORMAL TSPS PLACE A CALL TO RUSSIA
- (LEGALLY), THEY MUST CONTEND WITH THE SAME RECORDING, ONLY INTERNATIONAL HAS
- THIS NEAT EQUIPMENT THAT KEEPS DIALING THE NUMBER OVER AND OVER UNTIL
- THE CALL GOES THROUGH. THIS NORMALLY TAKES A FEW HOURS. IT WOULD TAKE YOU A
- YEAR ON A BLUE BOX. THIS IS WHY WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO PLACE A LEGAL CALL TO THE
- U.S.S.R., IOCC (TSPS) WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE IS A 2-3 HOUR DELAY. OFTEN IT
- IS MORE THAN THAT, IF THEY HAVE A LINE OF CALLS.
- TO HAVE IOCC PLACE A CALL, ONE WOULD BOX KP+160+700+ST FOR RUSSIA. THIS WILL
- GIVE YOU AN IOCC OPERATOR WHO ASKS FOR COUNTRY, CITY AND NUMBER,AND A BILLING
- NUMBER (THINKING THAT YOU ARE TSPS YOURSELF). THEN THEY WANT A CUSTOMER
- RINGBACK NUMBER (LOOP OR PAYFONE, IF YOU PLAN TO HANG AROUND FOR A FEW HOURS
- OR SO). HOWEVER, ON CALLS TO OTHER COUNTRIES, THEY WILL CONNECT YOU DIRECTLY
- AND DO NOT REQUIRE RINGBACK.
- IOCC COUNTRY ROUTINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
- KP+011+XXX+ST, WHERE XXX IS THE COUNTRY CODE PADDED TO THE *RIGHT* WITH ZEROS.
-
-
- TO CONTINUE ABOUT IOCC ROUTINGS,THE COUNTRY CODE IS PADDED TO THE RIGHT WITH
- ZEROS. THUS, AUSTRALIA (COUNTRY CODE OF 61) WOULD BECOME 610, AND THE ROUTING
- WOULD BE KP+160+610+ST.
- THIS MESSAGE HASN'T SAID MUCH SINCE I HAVEN'T TOLD HOW TO BOX A CALL TO
- RUSSIA, I'VE JUST TALKED ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH CALLING THERE. THAT'S
- BECAUSE IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DO. UNLESS YOU ARE VERY PATIENT AND FEEL
- LIKE TRYING TO BOX IT ABOUT 5000 TIMES BEFORE YOU FINALLY GET THROUGH (IN
- WHICH CASE IT WOULD BE BUSY ANYWAY) THEN YOU NEED THE HELP OF THE BELL SYSTEM
- OR POSSIBLY SOME INFERIORS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE IRON CURTAIN.
- TO PLACE A CALL TO RUSSIA, OTHER THAN GOING THROUGH IOCC, ONE MIGHT TRY TO
- CONTACT SOME SORT OF INWARD SOMEWHERE, LIKE YUGOSLAVIA (KARL MARX'S
- SUGGESTION), OR MAYBE EAST GERMANY. TO BEGIN WITH, CALL RATE & ROUTE FOR THE
- IOTC ROUTING (SAY YOU ARE ON CORDBOARD) FOR INWARD IN YUGOSLAVIA. SHE'LL SAY
- SOMETHING LIKE "038 PLUS BLAH-BLAH-BLAH" SO YOU WOULD BOX KP+011+038+ST, WAIT
- FOR INT'L TONE, THEN DIAL KP+0+38+BLAH BLAH BLAH+121+ST. THAT SHOULD GET YOU
- INWARD, YUGOSLAVIA, WHO SPEAKS LITTLE OR NO ENGLISH AND IS AT BEST UNPLEASANT
- TO DEAL WITH.
-
- THAT'S ALL I KNOW. IF YOU HAVE A BETTER WAY (OR ANY WAY AT ALL) TO CALL
- MOTHER RUSSIA, LET ME KNOW.
-
-