asterisk users - May 2003 - Check for a phone off hook

Hi All,

My understanding of telephony technologies is limited at this point, so excuse 
me if I use the wrong terminology.  I currently have a Wildcard X100P FXO 
Card, basically for educational purposes and to have a fancy Voicemail/Remote 
Control type machine.  I was wondering if it's possible for Asterisk to 
detect when a phone has been picked up on the line, and then have the card 
immediately pick up also?  I want this behavior so if someone calls in, and I 
pick up before the timeout to have the voicemail come in, Asterisk will pick 
up and listen for commands I can do while I'm on the phone. This way I can
do
things such as during a call record a part of the call by simply pressing ## 
(or another exten I define). 

Thanks!
- Russ