second vonage line, how does it work?

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 06, 2007 Posts: 3

Currently I use the Panasonic KX-TG1034S cordless phones with my Motorola VT2142 and absolutely love the setup. I am planning to add a second Vonage number and buy a second set of KX-TG1034S phones.

My husband told me when he set up the first set of phones, all he did was to power on the phones and they were automatically connected to the number. Now if I were to add a second Vonage number and buy a second set of KX-TG1034S cordless phones, how can I setup the phones so that they will connect to the second Vonage number as the phones are cordless? or do I need to use a different router and a different model of phones?

thanks

Posts: 881 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 881

You do NOT need a second Vonage adapter/router. The VT2142 that you currently have has two phone ports on the back of the device. More than likely you're currently using phone port 1 with the base unit of your KX-TG1034S, so all you would need to do is plug your new base unit into the second phone port. I think it would be highly advisable to get a different model of phone to go with your second phone line.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:07 am Post subject:

You don't have to get a second Vonage adapter, true. There is a second PHONE line in the back of the adapter, and Vonage will give you some decent deals to activate it rather than having them send you a new device.

I'd still suggest possibly getting another device under some circumstances. For example, if you want one of the phone numbers to be portable, you may want to pick up a (free after rebates) "phone only" adapter like the PAP2 or equivalent. That way, the two phone lines don't have to be in the same room, or even in the same country. Wink

Also, if one of the adapters should happen to break, you'll still have a working Vonage line to call Vonage support. If both lines are on one adapter, and it breaks, you'll have to call Vonage a different way. Having two adapters increases your chances of having a working line if something breaks (and Vonage may even be able to transfer the line from the broken device to the good one later on, saving you the cost of replacing the broken one).

If you never think you'll separate them, then you should be OK.

Instead of a complete second phone system, you may want to look into a 2-line cordless system to replace your current Panasonic system. They are a tad more expensive, but then you have both Vonage lines on all the cordless handsets. If you do want a separate system, I'd contact Panasonic and ask if two identical systems would be compatible in your household. Sometimes the handsets get terribly confused as to which base they are "supposed" to talk to. A completely separate brand, possibly operating on a different frequency (6 GHz instead of 5.8, for example) might reduce the risk of incompatibility. Be sure you talk to the salesperson when you buy the second phone system, and understand their return/exchange policy - you may need to try a few systems before you find one that is happy coexisting with the Panasonic and vice versa.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 06, 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks for the responses. You confirmed my concerns Sad

I am new to Voip.

I already have a 5.8 Ghz Uniden for my landline but I am not happy with it. Then I bought the Panasonic DECT 6.0 for my daughters and have been very happy with Vonage and DECT 6.0.

Therefore, will a VTech IP8100-2 work in the above combination as I already have a 5.8 Ghz? I do not want to get a 2 line is because I plan to use the new line for my office and do not want my 8 years old to pick up my calls.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:47 am Post subject:

fac wrote:

Therefore, will a VTech IP8100-2 work in the above combination as I already have a 5.8 Ghz? I do not want to get a 2 line is because I plan to use the new line for my office and do not want my 8 years old to pick up my calls.

Absolutely, it should. There's no reason that a 5.8GHz and a 6GHz phone should interfere with each other at all.

Plus, if you're already using the two systems together, they will continue to work together regardless of the source of the actual phone line. A Vonage line is pretty much identical to a land line.

If you want a good "office" phone, I really REALLY like my VTech MI6897. It was about $100 at Best Buy, and it's about the only cordless system I've found that has working, decent speakerphones in ALL of the handsets.

Two of my major criteria were:

1. Good quality speakerphone base, WITH MUTE. The VTech system has a high-quality speakerphone with mute not only on the base, but also a decent speakerphone with mute on each handset. I love the Panasonic brand, but they don't have mute buttons on their speakerphones. When you telecommute, this is a MUST, and it irritates the heck out of me that so few companies sell a good speakerphone with a mute.

2. Ability to recognize the Vonage "Voice mail waiting" signal. Although the VTech has a built-in answering machine, I prefer to use Vonage's voicemail. The VTech still recognizes the Vonage signal and lets me know there is a voicemail waiting by flashing a message on the base and all handsets.

I have to admit, my past experience with the VTech brand has been anything but positive. But I've had this system for about three months now, and it has exceeded my expectations in almost every way possible.

The range is only slightly better than my old 2.4GHz system, but I keep the base in the basement of my aluminum-sided house - my expectations are pretty low. The phone can, however, manage to work (albeit with a little static, but acceptably) out on the sun porch, where the signal has to penetrate an interior wall, a layer of rebar-enforced concrete, and the window screens of the sun porch. That's something my old 2.4GHz AT&T system couldn't even dream of.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 06, 2007 Posts: 3

thanks. I haven't made it clear. I plan to keep all 3 lines. My concern is not the 5.8 with DECT 6.0, but as I already have a Uniden 5.8 Ghz, hence my concern is on the new 5.8 Ghz with my existing 5.8 Ghz.
I am going to take a look at Vtech.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject:

fac wrote:

thanks. I haven't made it clear. I plan to keep all 3 lines. My concern is not the 5.8 with DECT 6.0, but as I already have a Uniden 5.8 Ghz, hence my concern is on the new 5.8 Ghz with my existing 5.8 Ghz.
I am going to take a look at Vtech.

Just be sure you understand the return policies where you buy it - you may have to test drive a few of them before they all work happily together.

You can also, if you don't have a WiFi network, get a 2.4GHz unit, then they'll ALL be in their own frequency ranges. But the units should coexist - each one should find an open frequency and use it. In theory. Smile

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

If I might just inject a note of caution here, I'm not very partial to the Vonage Voip phones. I much prefer to use simple Vonage adapters with ordinary phones of whatever ilk. That way, you don't end up troubleshooting both Voip and telephone handset issues at the same time, and the overall setup is a lot more flexible. Plus, the Vtech8100 seems to have some issues, as you can see here.

If I wanted one line dedicated to an office, and I didn't want children (or anyone) listening in, I would try to set up an ordinary corded phone. Just a couple of thoughts.