>Gee, I thought DB was going to explain what a squelch
>circuit was, but he didn't.
>Sorry I didn't say more about it. This type of circuit
>basically cuts off transmission when there is no signal
>present.
Its not really a 'signal to noise' problem. If there is a transmitter that sends a sign wave and modulates that sign wave when someone speaks (and also adds some spurios modulation) then you have a receiver that gets that modulated signal, plus added noise and then adds some more noise of its own, its rather obvious to see that a certain benefit can be gained by taking the "pauses" wherein there is no modulation and just cut it out right there. The listener then does not hear a constant background of 'nonsenical clutter'. However this should be contrasted with the Cocktail Party Effect wherein adding noise makes perception of a signal easier, such as when a person in a noisy cocktail party can not hear everything that is being said nearby, but can hear a spouse from halfway across the room.

>Yes, someone certainly could have been monitoring the phones.
Okay, lets assume some sort of electronic sophistication.
How about that robbery in a mansion in Paradise Valley wherein sophisticated equipment was used that would have made some military units envious. (This is the case wherein a super-duper burglar alarm was defeated by simple 'dognapping' and then calling the homeowner two days later. The ecstatic homeowners grabbed a bottle of wine and drove to the nearby address to get their dog but instead found masked, well-armed gunmen who said to the wife: 'the correct code to your burglar alarm or we blow your husband's brains all over you right now'). The police chief there runs a small, patrol-oriented force. He knew he was in over his head and he called for help.
What does all this have to do with monitoring of phones in the Ramsey Case? Well, do you really think all that Paradise Valley planning and super-duper electronic equipment was used because the thieves were after a paltry sum?
So if you want to advance the notion that sophisticated electronic equipment was utilized and that advance access to 'the pairs' (telephony term) was obtained, then you have one heck of alot of time and talent being invested in a simple little home invasion.

>DB mentions that the only advantage is a few minutes notification.
Okay, I'll amend that. Strike 'advantage' and insert 'information'.
How valuable that information was depends on poster's various theories.

>He's obviously awake and paying attention.
Haven't been awake for eons. Certainly wasn't awake on the afternoon and evening of Sept 10th. Alas.