3-way call/conference call fails

Posts: 220 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Aug 19, 2003 Posts: 220

I've searched in vain. I don't often try to do a 3-way or conference call, but I don't recall ever failing before. I've tried at least four times in recent weeks to do a 3-way call with my motorola MD41 system and also my panasonic wired handset. I can get two different people on the phone -- just don't get them all in one place. Can anybody give me any guidance as to how to troubleshoot?

Also, the infamous "stuck stutter tone" is back today. I'm going to have to go to the dashboard to clear it.

thanks in advance for any help!

Laurel

comcast broadband
Linksys RT31p2 router
moto MD41 wireless phones on line one
panasonic wireless/wired on line two
not sure what version firmware I'm running. Would need to switch cables and my husband's flying in Aces High so that ain't happening

Posts: 220 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Aug 19, 2003 Posts: 220

I refined my search using only 3-way and finally found an answer -- I found it as the service tech came on the line. I read it to her and she didn't seem to have a clue what I was talking about, but I told her I'd try this and see if it works.

I sure wish they'd add this to the FAQ on the feature on the web!

Laurel, RT31P2 router

FROM PREVIOUS POST on the topic
Here is how I get 3-way calling to work.

1.- Dial the first phone number.
2.- Hit the flash button and a dial 2nd number using #92 + number, or #92 + area + number, if it is a long distance phone call.

Posts: 185 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Dec 18, 2005 Posts: 185

Actually #92 is the call transfer feature. The process for 3 way calling is to just flash, dial, wait for other party to answer, and flash again. Then you should be on a 3 way. The most important part is waiting for the other party to answer, as opposed to just flashing while its ringing.

Posts: 220 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Aug 19, 2003 Posts: 220

it didn't work the "regular" way. We tried it about four times. I can get people on two separate lines, but I cannot get them together. The #92 works so I guess I don't care if it's called a transfer -- for me it makes a 3-way call! Smile

I would like to not have to do that step, but with the RT31P2 I have it will not have it any other way at the moment. And I'm sure my firmware is pretty current.

anybody else have any thoughjts I'd love to hear it as well, though.

Posts: 185 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Dec 18, 2005 Posts: 185

The transfer should hang up on you, and connect the 2 parties if you are speaking with an incoming call. If you are on an outgoing call, and dial #92, its probably being ignored. do you have voicemails? If you do, make sure when you flash over you are waiting for the stutter tone to stop.

Posts: 220 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Aug 19, 2003 Posts: 220

I have not tested the #92 method with actual people yet because nobody else was around to help me to do it. What I did, though, was call my cell phone from my main vonage line. I answered it, started playing a song on my computer and sat the phone by the speaker. Then I called my line 2 vonage number with the #92 prefix and put that phone handset near the television speaker in another room. When I went into a third room and hit flash again, I could hear the television and the song through the phone. As a result, it appears it worked where traditional 3-way methods have not.

When I used the traditional method that is supposed to work, as I said I can get both parties -- I just can't get the calls to merge. I call the first person establish they're there and we have a good connection. I flash to a new dial tone, dial the second person. They pick up, we establish we're connected. I flash again and I'm back only speaking to the first person I called. I can flip back and forth between them but not get them in one spot. The existence of the stutter tone or no stutter tone has no effect. I thought it might be the flash length on the handset, but i've tried three different brands of phones with identical results.

I really need to get this to work because recently I've had a need for 3-way calling with folks out of state. I have had to resort to my cell phone during peak usage and it will burn up a ton of minutes fast.

thanks for hanging in with me on this.

Laurel

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 17, 2006 Posts: 16

I had a little trouble the first couple of times I tried to connect 3-way calls. The fix for me was to hold the FLASH button on my phone just a little longer than a tap. Seems like the quick stutter wasn't being acknowledged by the PAP2, but the more-deliberate flash worked fine.