Several users of the MBC-1 have asked how to copy or move the 'Hotline' message that the MBC-1 programs into the BetaBrite when you use the factory messages. The MBC-1 writes this message in Prog Text J of the BetaBrite memory by default. Many users would like this message to activate with a different priority and have tried to duplicate the message elsewhere in Beta-Brite memory only to be foiled by the curious command '[str]H'.
The exact commands that the MBC-1 uses to program the BetaBrite are not documented in the BetaBrite instruction manual. This problem is compounded by a glitch in the programming function of the BetaBrite that causes it to display this 'undocumented' command incorrectly sometimes.
The commands that are programmed into the BetaBrite to from the Hotline message are (in order):
- [HLD] Hold--pause when this message loops
- [SP3] Medium speed
- [AMB] Amber color message
- [STR]H Display String H--the word 'Hotline'
- [DOT]J Display dot file J--a still phone
- [HLD] Hold--pause before ringing
- [SP5] Fast speed
- [NHL] No hold
- [STR]H Display String H--the word 'Hotline'
- [DOT]Q Display dot file Q--ringing phone
- [STR]H Display String H--the word 'Hotline'
- [DOT]R Display dot file R--ringing phone
- [STR]H Display String H--the word 'Hotline'
- [DOT]Q Display dot file Q--ringing phone
- [STR]H Display String H--the word 'Hotline'
- [DOT]R Display dot file R--ringing phone
- [STR]H Display String H--the word 'Hotline'
- [DOT]Q Display dot file Q--ringing phone
Two of these commands do not appear to available from the keypad that comes with the BetaBrite. Here is how to work around these mysterious commands.
- [STR]H--display string 'H'
- String 'H' is programmed with the word 'Hotline'. This command is merely a shorthand way to make the BetaBrite display the word 'Hotline' because it happens several times. When you copy these commands into the Text message area of your choice, replace every occurrence of [STR]H with the word 'Hotline' (or any other message). The dot files will still be in memory at their normal locations and there is no need to move or otherwise recreate them--just call them up as the factory programmed message does.
- [NHL]--no hold
- The 'Hold' command is used to place a pause in the telephone jingle animation between rings. The 'No Hold' command removes the delay during the ringing sequence. There is a keypad equivalent to this command in the BetaBrite. Press the 'Speed' key on the keypad and the press 'Select' to rotate among the choices--one of the choices is [NHL].
- String 'H' is programmed with the word 'Hotline'. This command is merely a shorthand way to make the BetaBrite display the word 'Hotline' because it happens several times. When you copy these commands into the Text message area of your choice, replace every occurrence of [STR]H with the word 'Hotline' (or any other message). The dot files will still be in memory at their normal locations and there is no need to move or otherwise recreate them--just call them up as the factory programmed message does.
