Hear a humm

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 02, 2004 Posts: 6

Since I've installed the Vonage service as a 'second' line in my home, I hear a slight humm (or buzz) in the background when I make calls on my 'first' line (Verizon). Fortunately, folks I call on the Verizon line don't hear it but I do.

I've moved the Moto ATA to different places (thinking a feedback problem) but it still occurs. Anyone have a similar experience and found a solution? Thanks.

Posts: 183 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: May 05, 2004 Posts: 183

Any cross connection from line 1 to line 2? They should be totally isolated, not sharing any wires.

Are your wires CAT3 rated or better? Using "silk" cord (the flat, usually silver or black lines they provide with new phones) can cause hum.

Does the hum go away when you unplug the Moto box?

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 02, 2004 Posts: 6

I don't believe I have any cross connections. Both lines (1-Verizon, 2-Vonage) go directly into a Panasonic 2-line telephone.

Using CAT5 cable and ....

The hum does go away when I unplug the Moto box (or disconnect the line from the back of the unit.)

BTW: Thanks for the quick reply!

Posts: 188 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 07, 2004 Posts: 188

This is a long shot but you might want to try plugging a DSL Filter on the output of your MTA. I was able to clean my line up enough to be able to use my Tivo over it. Just a thought.

Posts: 183 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: May 05, 2004 Posts: 183

If the DSL filter won't work, and you get the hum when plugging the phone directly into the ATA, I'd call Vonage. Sounds like the power supply isn't being filtered properly.

Posts: 188 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 07, 2004 Posts: 188

Now that gary brought it up, I heard earlier that the VT-1005s were having probs with their power supplies. I think that he is right. Is the power supply near you phone base or plugged into the same outlet?

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: May 03, 2004 Posts: 13

I just moved into a new house and picked Vonage over Comcast for phone service. Apparently when Verizon disconnects lines around here, only the dialtone goes away... voltage is still there. Combine this with the fact I *thought* I had disconnected the appropriate lines in the network interface box on the side of the house but did not, and there was a hum on my line 1 as well. Once I made another trip out and snipped the old wires in the telco box, problem fixed.

You might want to check to be sure you are completely isolated from the public phone network; otherwise you may be in the same boat I was.

Steve

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 02, 2004 Posts: 6

Not sure a DSL filter will help (running off a cable modem) but I'll give the Vonage folks a call. I'll also look at the network interface box outside. Thanks.

Posts: 188 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 07, 2004 Posts: 188

Before you try the DSL Filter you might want to try movine the Moto Box or plugging it into a diff outlet. I've heard recently that they were having probs with their power supplies.

Posts: 183 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: May 05, 2004 Posts: 183

What kind of phone do you have? Maybe it's causing a cross connect between the two lines.

Rereading the first post, I think the situation is, when using the POTS line you hear a hum that disappears when the Moto box is unplugged. Correct? If so, the next question is, do you hear a hum on the Vonage line?