RCA 25415re3 25413re3 : can't intercom when connected

Posts: 350 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Dec 04, 2005 Posts: 350

thepotter wrote:

I tried calling Vonage customer support. Was asked about having a PBX right off the bat -- which I don't but I was asked about 3 times anyway (I've read here that PBX is a dirty word with support). I received an answer which I completely don't understand.

PBX is somewhat of a dirty word. Due to the complications that a PBX setup could bring and the vast differences between different ones, its darn near impossible for Vonage to be able to support installing with a PBX. I am using my Vonage lines through a PBX and it works fine for me. It can be done. Does Vonage support it? No. We'll do our best to help you out with most setup options, but there does come a point that you're on your own.

thepotter wrote:

The guy said it had to be with internet phone service being based on packet switching so it is different from the regular phone. I have a general understanding of how the net works, but it seems my phones have little to do with that. To the phones, the Vonage device should look like any old wall jack. The network side is where all the packet switching happens but that should be invisible to the phones -- if it wasn't my 15 y/o corded AT&T indestructable phone wouldn't work (and it does).

What type of phone cord do you have connected to the phone adapter (RTP300)? Is it a 2-contact or 4-contact cord? If it is a 4-contact cord, try using a 2-contact cord. For example:

RTP300 --(2-contact cord)--> (whatever you use to connect the phones) --> phones

The Vonage phone adapter emulates a regular central office PSTN line. For most purposes, the technical differences between a "real" PSTN line and a Vonage line are hardly noticable. However, they might be causing you problems in this case. Do you have a Caller ID box or stand-alone answering machine with a phone pass-through port that you can try connecting between your phones and the Vonage box? This may block whatever is preventing the intercom from working. For example:

RTP300 -> Caller ID box -> phones

I think you were given some bad information when you called in. Could you PM me the details of the call you made to Vonage support? (time, date, account number)

Posts: 11 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 11

trekologer wrote:

What type of phone cord do you have connected to the phone adapter (RTP300)? Is it a 2-contact or 4-contact cord? If it is a 4-contact cord, try using a 2-contact cord. For example:

I've tried both just on the outside chance it could cause a problem.

trekologer wrote:

The Vonage phone adapter emulates a regular central office PSTN line. For most purposes, the technical differences between a "real" PSTN line and a Vonage line are hardly noticable. However, they might be causing you problems in this case. Do you have a Caller ID box or stand-alone answering machine with a phone pass-through port that you can try connecting between your phones and the Vonage box? This may block whatever is preventing the intercom from working. For example:

RTP300 -> Caller ID box -> phones

This is a great idea .... I'm hoping I didn't toss my old caller id boxes (seems all recent phones have it built in) ... although I'm pretty certain I Good-willed my answering machine. In my googling tonight, I ran across a call router which will send a line to fax, phone, or computer -- but your ideas would be much cheaper -- presuming I find those things hanging around. Wink

Posts: 350 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Dec 04, 2005 Posts: 350

thepotter wrote:

This is a great idea .... I'm hoping I didn't toss my old caller id boxes (seems all recent phones have it built in) ... although I'm pretty certain I Good-willed my answering machine. In my googling tonight, I ran across a call router which will send a line to fax, phone, or computer -- but your ideas would be much cheaper -- presuming I find those things hanging around. Wink

Another thing to try... the manual for your phone says not to use on a phone line with DSL. Try connecting a DSL filter between the phones and the RTP300.

Posts: 11 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 11

Trekloger -- that's the secret! But you stole my thunder ... I was just signing on to post my solution, $5.97 for a DSL filter on line 1, and I noticed you beat me to posting the solution. But you're analysis was better than mine -- I was just guessing that something between the Vonage device and phone might interfere w/ interference, but you have a logical reason for suggesting the DSL filter.

Anyway, I want to thank everyone who helped me out with this. I am so happy with things now. I really appreciate everyone's ideas in troubleshooting this and helping me narrow down the problem.

Posts: 1179 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1179

thepotter,

are you saying that you have dsl on line 1?

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

I don't think Thepotter is saying that. I suspect the problem had to do with line impedances, and that a DSL filter between the RTP and the phone was able to change the impedance so as to make the phone happy. Just a guess.

Posts: 11 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 04, 2006 Posts: 11

I definitely don't have DSL. All of the inside wiring is new and only carries the phone signal. It's just that the DSL filter eliminated whatever was interfering with the phones' ability to communicate with each other over line 1.

I think I'll send a note to RCA and Vonage about this solution. Those RCA phones provide all the features a small business needs without going to the expense of a PBX (music on hold would be nice, but not an extra $1000 or more nice). And the Vonage service is a steal compared to Qwest. Vonage Business = 2 lines for $40 with every feature imaginable and free long distance in N. America --- Qwest is $40 per line, long distance is a toll, and 3 optional services (e.g., caller id, hunting, voicemail, call forwarding, etc.). I need three lines -- for $80 w/ Vonage I get 4 lines with all the goodies. Qwest would be $120 for a bare three lines plus more for long distance and more than 3 goodies.

Anyway -- you all helped me save $700 - $900 in the coming year (if you consider long distance). Where do I send the beers and pizza? Wink

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

thepotter wrote:

Anyway -- you all helped me save $700 - $900 in the coming year (if you consider long distance). Where do I send the beers and pizza? Wink

Just hoist one for us. It's great to hear a good outcome.

Posts: 1179 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1179

I'm glad to hear that things worked out for you. I'm just still curious why you have this interference if everything is new?

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 18, 2006 Posts: 1

The interference is coming from the ATA adapter. There is leakage of high frequency noise, probably coming from the processor or other high speed clock signals onboard. This normally doesn't present a problem for regular phones, which use only the 300-3300 hz audio range, plus DC signaling, plus AC ring. But these 4 line intercom phones (29487, 29488, 25403, 25404, 25413, 25414, 25415) all have very sensitive receivers used to transmit the intercom signalling between them. You likely won't hear the noise, but it's enough to destroy the communication between the phones.

RCA is aware of the problem, and the DSL filter is the recommended solution when connecting these phones to an ATA that causes the intercom to fail. There is nothing that could be changed in the phone itself to solve the problem.