phone problems

no idea if this post should go here....but here goes

i have a problem with my phone where someone will call, and it will ring as normal, however when picked up, it'll create loads of static. the person calling will not be connected and on their side, it will still be ringing..... when i put the phone down, it'll stop ringing....but on the other side it's still connecting.....anyone have any clue to the nature of the problem?

thanks

a bit of added info, i have no dialtone and static is always present when i pick up the phone, even while not in a call

Insufficient voltage on the line? Check your wiring, make sure something isn't chewing through the phonewire maybe.