General features of most fax machines
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Most fax machines now use plain paper but you may still come across thermal paper fax machines. The print on thermal paper tends to fade over time, so if you want a permanent record of a fax, you’ll need to photocopy it.
Plain paper fax machines are the most common kind. They use ordinary photocopier paper, normally A4 size. These are a little more expensive than thermal paper fax machines, but the paper is cheap and widely available.
Most fax machines have in-built fax switches to separate voice and fax transmissions and send incoming messages to either your phone or fax. This means that you only need one telephone line.
The copy feature allows you to use the fax machine as a photocopier.
The ringer adjustment allows you to change the tone, pattern and volume of the ringer.
Most fax machines allow you to vary what is called normal ring delay. This is the number of times the fax machine rings before answering a call.
The fax header or station ID puts your name and fax number at the top of every fax you send.
The contrast settings allow you to darken or lighten a document, for example, to darken text that is too faint to read.
You can improve the quality of a received or copied document by adjusting the resolution settings. Resolution relates to the number of dots per inch of print.
If a telephone line is busy or engaged when you are trying to send a fax, the fax machine will automatically re-dial the number. This is known as auto-redial. Most fax machines will attempt five re-dials at two-minute intervals.
Fax machines with speakerphones let you speak and listen using an in-built speaker and microphone.
Most fax machines can store faxes in their memory, to print out later.
Extra features offered by some fax machines
Many fax machines now have in-built digital answering machines. These will save you space, but may be more complicated to use.
Some fax machines are specifically designed to work with a separate telephone answering machine so you can receive voice messages as well as faxes. Some fax machines allow you to access e-mails and print out web pages.
Some more expensive fax machines have cordless handsets. Some even offer SMS text messaging.
Cordless phone management allows calls to be transferred to a cordless phone.
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