Rotary Phone with Vonage on a VT2142

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 20, 2006 Posts: 2

Hello to all,
I am new to Voip, Vonage and the Vonage Forums. Before becoming a forum member, I searched with the goal of utilizing my existing rotary phone with Vonage. I'd like it to ring when I have an incoming call, but dialing not necessary. The most that I want to do with the rotary is just talk.

I have found several threads:
Can rotary dial phone with metalic ringer be used on Vonage
http://www.vonage-forum.com/sutra60371.html

Has Anyone used their RT31P2 w/ a ROTARY phone?
http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic5483.html

Your weekend modder project: getting your rotary phone to work with Vonage
http://blogs.zdnet.com/ip-telephony/?p=836

One would think that with all these three links, my question would be answered, but it's not. I don't understand a lot of the concepts being mentioned. After looking at all the components recommended to purchase to work with a rotary phone on Vonage, they all seem to have functionalities beyond what I need. I dont want to spend $200 on an item for which I do not use to full capacity.

Any advice on which item to purchase for ringing and just talking?
Dialing not necessary.

Posts: 13 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Sep 20, 2005 Posts: 13

The first link you posted actually did answer your question. The Vonage adapter will make your old rotary phone ring as long as it is a straight-line ringer (most are). An old phone with a frequency ringer (which was used by many phone companies on a party line) may or may not work. The most important consideration on any hookup is that the REN of all the phones on the line (when added together) don't exceed 5.

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

Love your tag line- and your answer.

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 21, 2006 Posts: 1

http://www.sandman.com/digit.html

pulse to tone converter

Part Number: CID6K Price: $44.95 ||| 3+ Price: $42.95

Posts: 72 · Full Forum Member Joined: Mar 21, 2006 Posts: 72

mtroute wrote:

http://www.sandman.com/digit.html

pulse to tone converter

Part Number: CID6K Price: $44.95 ||| 3+ Price: $42.95

Why would the OP need this? He's already stated that he doesn't need to be able to dial-out from the rotary phone.

Posts: 34 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Apr 21, 2005 Posts: 34

I can consider myself an expert on this topic as I only use Western Electric phones, most rotary. For just talking and ringing, you don't need anything. Just hook up red and green wires. If you do want to dial its pretty easy. The Sandman pulse to dial convertor did not work at all for me (RT3P2). The Mitel Smart 1 worked perfect. It also had quite a few other features that I really like. It does take some programming that can be tedious but it perfect when all is said and done. The Mitel listens for dialing from the phone (DTMF or pulse) and then converts it to DTMF. It does speed dialing which is great cause it does it from ANY phone that is in front of it. I have my entire phone system in front of it. Vonage adapter - Mitel - Phone distribution (star topology).

Good luck.