Info on C-phones, cost, phone expense, etc.?
Posted By: Libby on 2007-05-25
In Reply to:
Hello,
Can anyone give me some information on C-phones for transcribing - Cost of the C-phone itself and phone expense for transcribing, etc.?
Thank you!
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Also got rid of our house phone because we all had cell phones and that saves me about 75.00 a month
or so.
Cost of unlimited phone calling to do MT. What are the best rates. nm
:
C-phone info regarding phone lines etc.
I am completely clueless on the subject of a C-phone. Can someone help me understand exactly how this works? Do you have to specifically have a separate "dial up internet" service to use the C-phone? I currently have cable internet and am wondering if there is anything else I need to get. I guess I should contact my phone company. At any rate, any help anyone could give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
c-phone info
What type of company are you working for or rather how will you work. (i.e. dialing up into thier system or downloading voice files via internet). The only difference in a C-phone which only stands for Connextions phone, is that it is basically a modified telephone. It will work just like a phone if you are not transcribing on it. It is just basically rigged for a foot pedal. I use mine to dial directly into the dict. system at the facility that I work for. I have 2 lines, one for internet and 1 for phone (still dial up in my area but this works fine for me right now). I have unlimited long distance so I don't need an 800. I just call in and transcribe remotely from home. Buttons are programed just like they are if you were sitting at a station in the hospital. Others may work differently. Mine, when I dial in it asks for my number and then I transcribe and sign off as usual.
here's all the info I have about the C-phone ringer - hope it helps! - SM
TURN RINGER ON
1) DISPLAY READS: TIME DATE
PROGM MSG DIRCTY
PRESS: PROGM
2) DISPLAY SAYS: PROGRAM
KEYS ID/TIME TEL
PRESS: TEL
3) DISPLAY READS: ELECTRONIC LOCK
ON OFF
PRESS: OFF
4) DISPLAY READS: DIGIT LIMIT 99
REVISE? YES NO
PRESS: NO
5) DISPLAY READS: LINE 1 RING ON 9
REVISE? YES NO
PRESS: YES
6) DISPLAY READS: ENTER
LINE 1 RING ON __
PRESS: 1
PRESS: STOP
TURN RINGER OFF
1) DISPLAY READS: TIME DATE
PROGM MSG DIRCTY
PRESS: PROGM
2) DISPLAY SAYS: PROGRAM
KEYS ID/TIME TEL
PRESS: TEL
3) DISPLAY READS: ELECTRONIC LOCK
ON OFF
PRESS: OFF
4) DISPLAY READS: DIGIT LIMIT 99
REVISE? YES NO
PRESS: NO
5) DISPLAY READS: LINE 1 RING ON 1
REVISE? YES NO
PRESS: YES
6) DISPLAY READS: ENTER
LINE 1 RING ON __
PRESS: 9
PRESS: STOP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If ringer is on, DISPLAY READS: LINE 1 RING ON 1
If ringer is off, DISPLAY READS: LINE 1 RING ON 9
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~C-Phone Ringer Off
Go to PROGM, then TEL, then hit NO until you get to LINE 1 RING ON (should say 9 or something) hit YES and enter 1 and then push the stop key.
Does anyone use Vonage with a C-phone. Any info please. Att wants to change me 10 c/minute. nm
nm
Yes, as long as it's NOT an expense the employer
nm
*humor* at the expense of one's sexuality &.NM
Many of us are "lucky" however, we don't brag at the expense of others. nm
x
About $65 a month, but the biggest expense is
You have to purchase the equipment and pay for installation. The dish weighs about 75 lbs so if you don't want that weight on your roof, you can have it put on a pole in your yard and that's extra. Plus they charge to bury the line from the pole to your house ($3.25 a foot - I buried it myself). All total for me, including first month's service over $700. But, hey, when that's your only option, what do you do? There may be a company or something where you live that 'rents' the equipment for a small extra monthly fee - that's how we do our satellite TV so we don't pay for repairs. Satellite internet is not as fast as DSL or cable, but is still much faster than dialup. Plus, if you're an IC, it's all a tax writeoff. Hughes Net customer service stinks big-time and if you don't like them taking the monthly charge directly out of your checking account, they charge an extra $5 a month to mail you a bill. They know you have no other high-speed options and they have you over a barrel - so they stick it to you every way they can.
The 'suits' have it too good - at OUR expense - sm
and things will probably not begin to change (if ever), until the lawsuits start coming in. I for one am just sitting there on the fence, waiting for the time when my own care or records are screwed up in such a manner that it causes me to (a) have inferior care or an injury as a result, (b) not have something covered by my HMO because of a doctor's mis-dictation that some slap-dash, third-rate (or third-world!) transcription company's MT doesn't catch, or (c) some personal information is leaked. Then I will LEAP off that fence and SUE so aggressively that hopefully after that I can retire and live well off the settlement.
Something for all the Greedy Ones out there in CEO-Land to think about.
If, for whatever reasone, you end up suppling ink, use it as a business expense, if you are IC. nm
:
on COBRA at YOUR expense..that wasn't the question.
nm
I have to go satellite internet also, but have found no companies that will help with that expense..
I have found plenty that will hire with dial up or satellite, but I cant find a company willing to help with the expense. We spent $600 up front for our satellite system and then $59 a month! It is definitely worth the expense...especially since it would take me 1/2 day just to load my work on dial up before I could even start on it. At least now I am loading and working at a high rate of speed! Good Luck and Happy New Year!
C-phones
Are C-phones worth the trouble and expense of getting one? I work for a small company and now the docs want to go back to them! I thought they were rather obsolete. Also, what kind of cost is involved in unlimited long distance plus do you have to have a separate phone line for these? 
C-phones
Aren't C-phones a little outdated or it is just my imagination? I was working on a contingent basis for a wonderful small company but now the owner says the docs like the C-phone better and have switched from that after using the voice-activated equipment for awhile. I enjoyed the work but not the expense of purchasing outdated equipment that I doubt I would use anywhere else. So for now, I have virtually NO work
c phones
I have been searching for a job again and I see one that needs me to have one. Don't know anything at all about them. What are they and what do they do? thanks!
ear phones
Got them at Radio Shack. I got the less expensive ones, and am sorry I didn't get the fancier, more expensive ones. I think they would be worth it. Will be getting some better ones later.
ear phones
I have no idea, honestly. I just don't like wearing a "leash," as well. Also, the ones MQ sent are about 10 feet long.
I know when I see teenagers blasting their music directly into their ears, it not only aggravates me because I can hear it, but it makes me think they'll probably become deaf or hard-of-hearing at an early age.
Ear phones
I also have C-phone and hate the chinset ear phones. They dig into my ears, and give me a headache. I got on ebay and searched on C-phone. I ran across a pair of ear buds (like an MP3 player has) that are 2-prong, and only for the Dictaphone system. Very excited to get them! 
ear phones
where to get ear phones
ear phones
Just ordered a pair from the company I work for today, but if the company does not provide them, I have, in the past ordered on line from Lanier. They have a website. Another possibility someone just brought to my attention is Radio Shack. Also Dictaphone makes them, which I have ordered also in the past. They have a website,
C-phones
A C-phone is a telephone with a foot pedal where you pick up your dictation. You dial into a number given by your employer/hospital. Used C-phones can run 100-150.00, and new ones are around 700.00-900.00. Try EBay, as I believe they have them under medical transcription. I have used one for years and really like it. Quality of the dictation is usually perfect.
What ear phones do you use?
I noticed a huge difference in my ability to hear when I switched from regular "transcription" ear phones to a really good quality Bose stereo headphone. It was a $$ investment, to be sure, but I figured it was worth it since it's tax deductible and I hear more without having to leave as many blanks.
Good luck. Hope you find a solution that works for you.
c-phones
Don't know about being the same, but I have one for sale if you are interested.
C-phone used to call in to dictating systems to receive work. A special phone. nm
nm
I had a lot of trouble with static in my C-phone. I replaced the phone cord and that made a big
difference. Also, have you tried a different headset? Also someone told me one time that there is a microphone under your volume control on the right corner of the C-phone. It's a tiny hole. If you break off a Q-tip and stick that into the hole that will squelch a lot of background noise and that worked as well. As far as getting your C-phone service, I heard that Dictaphone is "sunsetting" C-phones at the end of this year. Meaning, they aren't going to service them anymore as they are considered an obsolete technology. So, I would contact Dictaphone and see what your options are.
I know very little about Lanier equipment. I've not used it as extensively as Dictaphone. Is there a local appliance repair place in your area? You might ask one of those places to take a look at your equipment and see what they think. Kinda scary, cause they could do more harm than good, but maybe worth a shot.
Not much help, I know. But I thought I would share what tiny bit of obscure knowledge I do have. 
phones through router
I have Vonage (see above) and I have a C-phone connected to my phone line on the Vonage router box, but I still have regular phone lines connecting my home phone, so basically 2 different phone numbers, 2 different services.
Head phones
I have never used noise reduction head phones, but the best head phones I have ever used are the ones that came with the Olympus 4000 transcription system. You can buy the head phones separately. I think they are about $50. This is a lot, but versus the others I have bought in the past (around $25) there is simply no comparison. I also use them to listen to music on my computer. They are great! I have a Soundblaster card on one computer, but even on my other computer the sound is much better than with regular head phones.
Wav files vs. C-Phones
Think I'd better get a laptap in the future! Sitting outside typing sounds wonderful but since I am only doing this on a contingent basis, guess I'll stick with my big old computer. Thanks for your input!
interpreter phones in the ER
How does that work in the ER when they need an interpreter for a patient? I'm thinking there are on-call interpreters (or translators) for specific languages but I'm curious if anyone knows anything about this. 
cell phones
I was just at the hospital Friday evening attending a death, and one of the family members said, "Oh, we can't use the cell phones," and a nurse said, "Sure you can. It's okay." Things have changed. There may be some places in a hospital where they are still not allowed, but they are becoming accepted in more and more parts of the hospitals.
Cell phones
The candidates running in our state (LA) are calling cell phones. It was on the news a little bit ago that the phone numbers are the ones that were wrote on the voter registration and if you don't want the calls, to write the voter registrar.
You might need a better set of phones and/or speakers, too. nm
s
cell phones
It seems to mean i read it was against the HIPAA (?) for doctors to dictate on cell phones. I've heard stories, though, of many doctors who do. What about dictating from home--are they taking medical records at home to do this. Seems like that is a violation, too. But who is going to say anything to doctors about diddly squat stuff like rules or slowing down a little so we can understand what the heck you are saying?
WISH THEY'D PUT THEIR CELL PHONES...sm
on ice while dictating, or I have a few suggestions where to keep it. My nerves aren't frazzled enough with this industry, now we have these clowns keep their cell phones ON while dictating. This morning I had to sit through dictation from one of the worst, and he knows it, all the while having his shrill, loud cell phone ringing in my ear. I know they have to stay available as physicians, but what's wrong with voice mail, text messaging, until he/she is able to take the call in an appropriate, courteous manner. No, they have to let it keep ringing. My ears are still buzzing.
yuck, i will never like c-phones...sm
No matter what i ever tried, the footpedal with a Cphone is just awful....I wonder why companies still use this antiquated hot mess.
I've changed them between an old phone and new phone, but the same company, i.e. Nextel.
x
I use my c-phone whenever we travel. You can hook it directly into your room phone. Be sure and as
xx
Look for companies that still use C-phones or similar.
Then you'll most likely need unlimited long distance, but dial-up won't matter.
Are there any places that rent C-phones? sm
I don't mean companies that you work for, but some independent company that you could rent one from. I had one for a long time, but then the company I work for went to wav files, and foolishly, I got rid of my C-phone. Now I have an opportunity at another company that requires a C-phone, but they don't supply them or rent them. Before buying something and then finding out the company stinks, I thought it would be nice to rent one. Maybe this is a farfetched idea, but thought I'd ask.
Thanks.
I just noticed there were already many posts on C-phones
out here. Sorry, I should have looked before posting. If anyone has anything additional to add, it is appreciated. Thank you!
I am starting with a company that uses C phones. I used
to use a C phone and it required 2 phone lines. Is it still that way? Hope not. Now I'm freaking out because I thought I was all set up. -
Cell phones in hospitals..sm
No cell phones allowed in hospitals. Nothing new. I recently saw a newscast on cell phones in hospitals and what they can do. Turn off respirators, mess with EKG readings, mess with infusion pumps, etc. Not only should cell phones not be used in hospitals but they should be turned off. I can't tell you how many times a day my computer jumps around when I have my cell phone anywhere close by. If this is so, I come doctors carry cell phones around the hospital. I have a dictator that constantly gets phone calls and when we went to a new dictating system, I had to shut him down because if it rang when he was dictating, well, he had to redictate because nothing was there. My son was once having a heart procedure done and while we were in the waiting room a lady was on her cell phone. A nurse noticed her and told her she had to turn it off, she kept talking and he waited until she was off. As soon as he was out of sight, she got back on. I almost got up and told her myself to get off because she was risking my son's life!
Why on earth are c-phones so expensive?
Any ideas on where to find a c-phone for less?
TIA.
noice cancelling ear phones and keyboard
Someone posted about some earphones a while back and gave the brand and said they really were great with canceling out noise, does this refer to the noice in the ditation too? (need the name of them, please). Also I need a keyboard that when you type you barely have to touch the key AND HAVE NO SOUND!. Much appreciated in advance. I love this site and you guys, too.
They do have wireless with laptop through cell phones now
I have it but it is slow too. Probably as slow as satellite. It is supposed to be DSL speed, but I dont think it is. I have never had DSL to know for sure. It is faster than dial up but it is slower than cable. I am able to work, but you can forget about fast downloads. Small jobs are fine. The only thing that takes so long is the actual sending/receiving dictation.
They do have wireless with laptop through cell phones now
I have it but it is slow too. Probably as slow as satellite. It is supposed to be DSL speed, but I dont think it is. I have never had DSL to know for sure. It is faster than dial up but it is slower than cable. I am able to work, but you can forget about fast downloads. Small jobs are fine. The only thing that takes so long is the actual sending/receiving dictation.
VoIP in lieu of landline phones?
I read a little article in one of those free local trade publications which discussed ways of saving money on everyday household costs. VoIP was listed as a way to save a ton of money by using your Net connection for your phone service.
The article didn't explain how it all works. Is anyone doing this? Do you hook up your phone to your cable connection or are you using some speaker system/software on your PC to make calls? I just don't get it. All I know is that they said you can call anywhere in the world and it doesn't matter, it's a fixed inexpensive monthly cost. I also don't know if you trade your landline telephone number for something through thte VoIP service.
So, I'm intrigued but totally in the dark about this concept. TIA!
Does anyone use noise canceling head phones? (sm)
If so, do they really work and which ones do you use? I'm starting to work remotely and it was hard at the hotel with the family in the same room as me. I'm looking for a way to block them out =)
Thanks.
C-Phones...worth the investment? Any opinions? nm
nm
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