well after a lot of searching I found this on http://www.mraudrey.net/MRA/acid.html.
"I get "No Data" sometimes (or all the time)
This happens when the Audrey detects the ring of the incoming call, but
doesn't receive any caller ID data. The modem inside the Audrey is
notoriously flaky. It is very sensitive to the quality and noise level of
the telephone line connected to it -- way more sensitive than your average
caller ID phone or caller ID box. In some cases, even a perfectly
noise-free, high quality line is present, and the modem still won't return
any caller ID information. This may be the reason the original Audrey didn't
ship with a caller ID application.
Some people have had the case where ACID works fine for a few days, and then
never again. I have no idea what could be causing that."
So I guess my next step will be trying to connect an external modem: http://audrey.wikia.com/wiki/External_Modem
