On Thu, 07 Sep 95 14:55:00 PDT  John Maier wrote:
> 
> ***DESIGN REQUEST ON***
> It sure would be nice if one could talk to a serial port when it is
> not in use or CD is low.  One can't even do an
> echo "AT&C1&D2/N0S11=60" > /dev/tty02
> to initialize the modem!
> ***DESIGN REQUEST OFF***

Isn't that what local is for?  Works for me (and my CD follows carrier)...