___  __                __
                         / _ \/ /  _______ ___ _/ /_____
                        / ___/ _ \/ __/ -_) _ `/  '_(_-<
                       /_/  /_//_/_/  \__/\_,_/_/\_Y___/
                                ___ ____ ___/ /
                               / _ `/ _ Y _  /
                              _\_,_/_//_|_,_/
                             / ___/__ ___ / /_____
                            / (_ / -_) -_)  '_(_-<
                            \___/\__/\__/_/\_Y___/


                        Beige Boxing Common Sense 101
                               By: Captin B



This actually Isn't so much a phile as it is a few basic ground rules of
common sense and whatnot. It should be common sense to anyone. But, for
the newbie phreak, it may not. So here we go:

Well, certainly don't beige box in broad daylight at some busy
intersection, right? The early morning (overnight) hours are best.
(Especially very early Monday morning in the wee hours of the AM). The
worst nights can be Friday and Saturday night. (The most drunks,
criminals, and other trouble making types are on the streets.) At least,
this is what seems to apply for inner-city America. Try to find as
low-profile a location as you can. (Which can be difficult at best in
inner-city America). And, when it comes to SAIs, (Telco cans) most seem to
be padlocked in the big cities. At this point, you have 3 options... Pick
the lock, (It would help if you own a lock pick, and are fairly adept at
lockpicking.) use bolt cutters to cut the lock off, or simply find a telco
can that Isn't padlocked somewhere. Of those 3 options, I think the last
is the best way to go. Because, no matter what, lockpicking can take some
time. The longer you're hanging around on the scene, the riskier it gets.
(Especially in inner-city America, where your average telco can is at the
corner of "Major St." and "Very Big Ave".) If you cut the lock off with
bolt cutters, Ma Bell will know you've been screwing around with the
equipment. The idea is to leave no trace that you've ever even been inside
the Telco can. Also, most bolt cutters are FAR too big and bulky to be
lugging around on the streets. It's not like bolt cutters can be easily
concealed in your jacket, or something. Better to just look for a telco
can that's unpadlocked somewhere. And, even if you find one, you'll need a
7/16 socket (ratchet) bit and a 1/4 socket driver to open one. These can
be bought from Home Depot, and other hardware stores. I think you may be
able to use a 7/16 nutdriver as well, but haven't had the chance to try
opening one with that yet. Actually, it can be better to locate some out
of the way TNI box somewhere. Because TNI boxes are on the side of
buildings, it can be easier to find TNI boxes in low profile locations
than Telco cans. By the way, Telco cans are also sometimes refered to as
Service Area Interface boxes. Or, SAI. Icon already explained how to open
a TNI box on the customer access side, I'll explain how to open it on the
"Telco access only" side. Once again, you'll need a 1/4 ratchet (socket)
driver, and a deep 3/8 ratchet bit. (Or, a 3/8 nutdriver). The Telco
access side is the right side of the box, in case you didn't know. You'll
find the 3/8 nut on the far right side of the right side half, roughly
half-way between the top and bottom of the TNI. Simply use the ratchet (w/
deep 3/8 socket bit) or 3/8 nutdriver, and turn counter- clockwise, just
like with any screw (Duh). After being loosened enough, the whole right
and left sides open together as one big door. On the right (Telco access)
side, you can only beige box via alligator clips. Usually with TNI boxes,
there are 4 screws. Connect the alligator clips to 2 of the screws
vertical-wise. If the customer has one line service, the incoming overhead
(or underground) cable will termitate to one of the 2 columns of these 4
screws. If 2 line service, there will be wires connected from the phone
company wiring to all 4 screws. In which case, you can connect the 'gator
clips to either vertical column. Just make sure to keep the polarity
correct of the wires from your beige box. Reminder: Red=Ring (Negative)
Green=Tip (Positive). I forget off hand which is which as far as the phone
company's wiring. But, I know one pair is orange, the other orange with a
white stripe. And the other pair blue and blue with a white stripe. Just
observe how they're connected to the left side of the TNI via the red and
green wires running from the 4 screws to know the polarity. Unlike the
customer access (left side) of the TNI box, there's no way to disconnect
the inside customer wiring from the phone network at the interface (TNI)
on the right side (Telco access) of the TNI box as compared to the left
(Customer access). With TNI boxes, just like Telco cans, make sure to
close everything up properly, and not leave anything behind when leaving
the scene. Final notes: Wearing dark colored clothes will make it harder
for you to be seen at night. Also, if you have a portable police scanner
tuned to your local police district, you'll get a fair "heads-up" warning
in advance. Having someone serve as lookout helps too, of course. Sure
beats doing it all by your lonesome. Above all, make sure to be quiet! You
certainly don't won't any unwanted attention. Other than what I've already
stated, make sure to apply as much of your own caution and common sense as
you can. Have phun, and above all, be careful.