PAP2 with 2 lines

Posts: 17 · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:32 pm Post subject: PAP2 with 2 lines

I've had my PAP2 for over 2 years now. I have two lines, a voice and a fax line. I have a wireless phone base attached to the line 1 output and the fax machine to line 2. I am about to re-wire the house for networking and thinking of putting in phone jacks in most rooms, even though I don't need them at the moment. My plan is to combine both lines to each jack. My question is... does the PAP2 output both line 1 and line 2 on one of the jacks on the device or will I have to combine them outside of the device? I plan on relocating the PAP2 to a closet that will house the communications hub. I'd like to put my phone base anywhere I want it, as well as putting the fax machine anywhere I want it. They have spent the last year and a half in a non-convenient location. I may even add another phone or two in the house.

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

I'm not certain about the PAP2, but I'm reasonably sure that it does not combine two lines on either of the plugs. Neither of the two adapters that I've used (Linksys RTP300 and Motorola VT2442) combine them.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject:

I have a non-Vonage PAP2T, and it has four conductors on each port. However, I only have (at the moment) one non-Vonage Voip line and not enough time to experiment with it.

The easiest way to test is is ... well, test it. Take a 4-conductor patch cable and a line 1/2 splitter, plug one end of the patch cable into the LINE1 of the PAP2, and plug a simple phone into the line 2 jack of the splitter, and pick it up. Or get a 2-line phone and just plug it into the PAP2 with a 4-conductor phone cable, then pick up line 2.

I think your chances are pretty slim - I expect each plug is wired for one line, and a 2-line splitter/combiner is cheap (just be sure you use two 2-conductor wires, not 4-conductor wires, to hook the PAP2 into the splitter/combiner - this is just in case there IS signal on the outer pairs on the PAP2...).

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject:

PS: I would hope this goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, because it can never be said enough...

Please, please, PLEASE make sure you disconnect your home wiring from the Telco, AND verify your lines have zero voltage, before you start plugging Vonage devices into wall jacks.

Unless you like fireworks, of course, but Independence Day is over for 2007... Smile

Easiest way: Go out, unplug the telephone company wires at your demarc (the box outside your house), then plug a simple phone into a jack inside the house - the kind of phone that gets its power from the phone line. If any lights light up, or you hear any noises on the phone whatsoever when picking up or hanging up, then STOP and go out and check the demarc again. In your case, since you want to have two lines run, get that line 1/2 splitter now, and check BOTH lines of the home wiring to make sure, really sure, they are dead before you plug any Vonage gear into it.

Plugging a Vonage device into a line with active voltage is a very good way to release the smoke in a very damaging, and very warranty-voiding, way....

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

Right. And the testing is easiest if you try it out while the landlines are still active. Plug a phone into a house jack and get a dial tone (on the land line). Then unplug the connection in the demarc and note that the tone goes away. Quite conclusive.

Posts: 17 · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:11 am Post subject:

NateHoy wrote:

PS: I would hope this goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, because it can never be said enough...

Please, please, PLEASE make sure you disconnect your home wiring from the Telco, AND verify your lines have zero voltage, before you start plugging Vonage devices into wall jacks...

Not a problem... I'm starting over from scratch. I got a telephone distribution block. I'm going run a new telephone line to the Telco box, but not connect it to the distribution block... leaving it clearly marked next to it though in case I ever feel the need to switch or when I sell the house. I'll run another line from the Vonage device to the distribution block and connect it up. The block also contains an RJ31X port that has an bypass switch (in case no alarm system will be installed). I don't currently have my alarm system monitored, but if I do, I can plug it in and activate it this way. The block then has 8 different connections for outlets. Running up to 4 lines total.