In standard 2LVCO, you use your data terminal to call the relay, have them call your 3-way voice line, then complete the call by dialing out to the third party. Reverse 2LVCO is exactly what it sounds like. The third party initiates the session by calling your 3-way voice line. Upon receiving the call (here's where caller ID comes in real handy), you place the party on hold while you ste up the relay. This page details how the process works.

1. When voice phone (with 3-way calling) rings, answer and say something like "Hello, this is Jay. Please hold while I set up the relay."
2. Place the caller on hold (depress the hook, the flass button, or however your phone works)
3. Use any hearing you have to listen for the CA's voice. Some relays send a TDD message first*, others allow you to speak immediately.
4. Voice the number of your data line to the relay. Say something like: "This is a reverse two-line vco call. Please call my TDD** at xxx-xxx-xxxx."
5. When your TDD rings, answer it.
6. Put the third party back on the line (depress flash button, etc.)
7. Start talking!

Some notes:

*Some reverse 2LVCO instructions state that you should begin talking right away. My experience has been that unless there is a dedicated number for voice-to-relay calls, that the TDD comes on first and the voice caller has to wait. As I continue to experiment, hopefully I can simplify instructions so the reverse 2LVCO caller will not have to rely on residual hearing.

Another option would be to have the hearing caller make the request to the CA. In that case, as soon as you dial the relay number, flash the hearing person back online and let him or her talk to the relay.

**Right now, a TDD is the only reliable method I know of to receive data calls from the relay service. It takes considerable computer knowledge and skill to set up a modem to act in host (receive) mode. I can't yet get my Windows hyperterminal to successfully receive a relay call. I will, though, and then will post a how-to here.