Entering Digits And Letters On A Keypad.

[rccatnap]

I'm trying to enter a 8 digits which includes 7 numbers and one letter on a phone.
How can I make the phone recognise the letter please?
I have a Samsung A50 and an ordinary landline.

[Old_Geezer]

Does holding the key down give any options ?

[Old_Geezer]

Landlines, normal telephone, hmmm.... maybe quick multiple presses might work ?

[rccatnap]

Thank you OG. Yes, on the landline, I thought about that, because when entering data into the address book that's what's needed, but it doesn't appear to work for the phone line.
Nor does it work on the Samsung. I was wondering if there was another key that needed to be pressed at the same time.

[SlackAlice]

Make and model of your landline phone?

[rccatnap]

It's a BT Decor 2200 v2

[SlackAlice]

Landline
https://www.best4systems.co.uk/pdf-manuals/BT/BT%20Decor/BT%20Decor%202200%20User%20Guide.pdf

Scroll down to page 10 for instructions on how to enter address book entries

[rccatnap]

Thank you SA. I've already got the instruction book and indeed you can enter letters as indicated, but my problem is with entering a letter for an automated answering machine that wants numbers and digits that include letters.

[Tuvok]

Any use

https://onlinetonegenerator.com/dtmf.html

https://windows10gadgets.pro/tools/dtmf-dial-tones/dtmf-dial-tones.html#gsc.tab=0

[Buenchico]

I'm lost!

No UK phone numbers include letters. It just ain't possible! So, assuming that you're actually calling the number (rather than, say, 'talking' to a device after getting through), you shouldn't need to enter any letters in the first place.

So what is it that you're actually trying to do?

[bobbinwales]

^It may be where your ringing a call centre and they ask you to key in an account or invoice number which includes a letter

[rccatnap]

Thank you Buenchico and bobbinwales.
Yes 'bob', I'm trying to speak to a courier.
When I telephone their number I get a pre-recorded message asking if I'm receiving or sending a parcel. I speak 'sending' and then it asks you if I have a parcel receipt number, which in my case I say 'yes'. I'm then asked to key in the number. e.g. P1234567. The tracking number is even longer, also with letters.
If I say 'no' to any question, I get told to hang up and thank you for calling. A classic 'Catch 22'.
Thank you also Tuvok, sorry, but those links do not help.

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe you'd have more joy asking if anyone knows an alternative number to contact them on. One that isn't their publicised one.

[Old_Geezer]

Or, again small chance, have you tried repeatedly hitting star or hash in the hope it is coded to connect to an agent in the event of an error ?

Or for that matter, staying silent, or putting in a ridiculously long string of digits so it runs out (hopfully) of place to store them ?

[Etch]

This discussion reckons that you just press the appropriate text key, once only, for the letter(s):
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/contacting-hermes-entering-letters-on-iphone-keypad/

[Etch]

So for P1234567 enter 71234567

[rccatnap]

Thanks again OG. The parcel was sent with the post code provided by the recipient. After I sent it, he then emails me with the correct post code, which is one digit out. I go to the courier's Website on my laptop and find what I can only assume is a way to alter the post code while the parcel is still with the courier driver. I get an acknowledgement number, but no further communication. Today, I finally go back to the tracking though the Website to discover that the parcel has been delivered. A fact which I still have to confirm with the recipient. Also, i did try the '71234567' in lieu of P1234567, but it wasn't having it.
Etch, thank you also. Unfortunately, you do not get the 123 button on a keypad, just the keyboard.
Unless I hear from the addressee that he hasn't got the package, I shall close this subject for now, with sincere thanks to all of you who responded.

[ZebuSanctuary]

Just come across this thread.

catnap, to avoid wasting your own time.

In the future do not attempt to send 'letters' over a landline or mobile phone (voice call) audio channel.

When you strike the keypad you'll be sending a DTMF tone into the landline. Similarly from a cell phone, DTMF tones are ultimately sent via a gateway on the mobile network.

The DTMF keypad tones do not support 'letters'.

Except for the 2 symbols, namely # and * all other characters are numerals zero to nine.
See link in post >18.20 Ignore the 4th column.

Think of first generation (1-G) cell phones;
Voice Only

2-G Voice and SMS (text messaging)

3-G Voice, SMS and Internet.

All 3 services above are distinctly provided over their own individual networks. Hence you cannot send letters over the voice network no more than you can send a photo image over the SMS network.

Hope this helps.

[rccatnap]

Thank you so much ZebuS for your comprehensive answer. It was a result I was getting to myself, albeit from a more painful route.
The courier has an app which I needed to download to my mobile and then, when I made my query, I was presented with a keyboard, not a keypad, with which I could make the necessary contact and result. it seems that the delivery was in fact made okay last Saturday.
It would appear, therefore, that you cannot make these enquiries on an ordinary landline phone for the very reasons you illustrated.

[rccatnap]

Lastly, I've just heard from the addressee, who is currently abroad, that the parcel did indeed arrive safely in Scotland last Saturday.
Thanks again everyone who kindly responded.

[ZebuSanctuary]

// parcel did indeed arrive safely //

Pleased for you catnap.

A panglossian approach saw you through!