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Overhead paging issue

chadgross
Posts: 26
 Member Since:
2006-10-13
Submitted by chadgross on Sat, 04/11/2009 - 2:21pm.

Ok guys -

I installed trixbox CE for a client last fall when they moved in to a new location. They now want to add overhead paging in their shop area, which they had at their old location. Luckily, they still have the old overhead paging unit & speakers (Valcom V-9936A paging unit & Valcom V-1030b speakers). I grabbed an extra ATA (D-Link DVG-2001s) I had on the shelf to do some testing. I have the ATA configured as an extension on their system, have connected the paging input on the Valcom 9936A to the FXS port on the ATA, and connected the speakers to the paging unit as well.

The problem I'm having is that the ATA is goes off-hook immediately when I connect the paging unit to the ATA, resulting in dial-tone being heard over the speaker. Additionally, if I call the ATA's extension from another phone, I get a busy signal. If I disconnect the paging unit from the ATA, I can call the ATA's extension which rings. If I connect the paging unit to the ATA while I'm calling the ATA extension from another extension, the ATA answers and I can verify that the paging audio works over the speakers. But again, the paging unit stays off-hook even after the page ends.

The ATA is using the current firmware. Any ideas on what could be causing this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Chad

‹ Help me with outbound calls Menu settings (Dropped Digits)?? ›

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pcbytc
Posts: 153
 Member Since:
2007-12-04
I think you got it backwards, you need a 3102 or a 3000 (FXO)
Sat, 04/11/2009 - 3:12pm

In my experience, I have used a FXO to feed the viking amps & other powered horns, programmed to just open the port on connection, (basically a trunk port that carries no tones). I prefer to use Cisco FXO's when possible, but that requires a 1751V router, or a IAD2300
To test, hook up a generic telephone (or a butt set) to the T&R (tip and ring) input of the viking, pick up the handset and start talking, you should hear yourself. Also, you can use a PCI card for the FXO, You have options and I am rambling, sorry.

Another thing you may want to try, I have not done it myself, but I am going to configure a "store and play" paging queue, so you dial in, it beeps, say your message, hang up, it then opens the FXO and plays the recording. No more feedback, ever!

The Timmy

My PBX is 3 months from full service, but mostly operating in a mixed configuration.


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chadgross
Posts: 26
 Member Since:
2006-10-13
thanks
Sat, 04/11/2009 - 6:59pm

The quick research I had done mentioned using an ATA, but didn't specify FXO vs FXS. This particular system has an internal analog PCI card with an open FXO port, so I'll try that when I get a chance.


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SkykingOH
Posts: 9538
 Member Since:
2007-12-17
Do what PC said and hook up
Sat, 04/11/2009 - 10:25pm

Do what PC said and hook up your but set first. You need to make sure there is battery on the line.

--

Scott

aka "Skyking"


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pcbytc
Posts: 153
 Member Since:
2007-12-04
Yep, Check 4 Battery
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 5:02am

Forgot to mention that.


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chadgross
Posts: 26
 Member Since:
2006-10-13
Thanks guys - There is a
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 10:41am

Thanks guys -

There is a Valcom power supply / talk battery that connects to the 9936A since the speakers require power.

Next question - if I do need to use an FXO port for the overhead paging, is there a way for me to use the built-in paging groups in trixbox / freepbx to page over the phones and overhead simultaneously? I already have a paging group set up and working to page over their handsets (Aastra 55i) - I'm just wondering how I would go about adding the FXO port for the overhead paging to the paging group.

Thanks!


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SkykingOH
Posts: 9538
 Member Since:
2007-12-17
Quote: since the speakers
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 11:13am
Quote:
since the speakers require power.

The speakers don't require power. If you don't have a butt set use a phone to test.

Adding it to a paging group I would have to think about. I don't have a Zap trunk on my test system to see what would happen. I would think it would simply ignore the add-header for the paging.

Get it working and we can address that issue next.

--

Scott

aka "Skyking"


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stechnique
Posts: 733
 Member Since:
2008-02-21
This can be done (I've done
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 11:39am

This can be done (I've done it) through the sound card, converting the audio output to tip/ring wires and plugging that into the speakers.
Then you create a custom extension for console/dsp and add that to your paging groups, works with FreePBX.


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chadgross
Posts: 26
 Member Since:
2006-10-13
Ok guys - I'm thinking that
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 9:08am

Ok guys - I'm thinking that I'm missing something simple. I have connected the paging input on my Valcom unit to the one remaining open FXO port on the Digium card in the trixbox. I have created a new outbound route that relies on a dial prefix to access that FXO port. When I dial that port - the Flash Operator Panel shows the trunk active - but I don't hear anything over the paging speakers. I have confirmed that the trunk is not in use by any other outbound routes, that I have the ring/tip connections wired correctly, etc. I have power to the Valcom unit, and the night ringer is working. I know the speakers work from my original post where I can hear the page if I connect the Valcom to an FXS port - but the Valcom keeps the FXS port off-hook constantly.

Any ideas what I'm missing?

Thanks!

Chad


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pcbytc
Posts: 153
 Member Since:
2007-12-04
You don't have battery, but there is an easy fix
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 2:15pm

Your speakers are powered, but require battery on tip & ring to function, you need this happy little device:

https://www.telcom-data.com/products/PRSLSI.aspx

This will give the connected FXO battery and provides a powered 600 ohm (paging style) output to the speakers.
I have these stupid Bogen self-powered speakers all over my warehouse and I use this adapter connected to an extra FXO port on a Cisco 2821 router, works a treat, has high noise rejection too. I expect it to work perfectly for you.

Your other option is to use the server's sound card output, but I don't recommend it, you may have some noise issues due to the impedance mismatch (I did when I used it temporarily).

BTW: (This is where I give you flack) You would have known this if you connected a regular POTS phone to the speakers' T&R and got no sound, as was suggested to do earlier in this thread...

Just buy this thing and be done with it.

The Timmy!

NOTE: I just read the manual on the Valcom 9936A, and it looks like I'm right, that Valcom is a simple night-bell, and it wants battery on the page port (it does not provide battery) which is the same for the FXO on your PBX.


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chadgross
Posts: 26
 Member Since:
2006-10-13
Thanks - but I do have a
Thu, 04/30/2009 - 9:17pm

Thanks - but I do have a battery (power source) connected to the 9936A, and I have connected a standard POTS phone to the tip & ring on the paging interface and that works. But paging over an open FXO port on the internal Digium card isn't working. I've got an external FXO adapter coming to see if I have any more luck with that.


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pcbytc
Posts: 153
 Member Since:
2007-12-04
OK then..
Fri, 05/01/2009 - 5:46am

So, if you can connect a dumb old POTS phone, pick it up and hear yourself, then the other thing to check on the Digium card is can you program it to NOT check for tone first? (and just open the port).
Good luck.

Tim


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taverny
Posts: 25
 Member Since:
2007-03-08
Hi Chad
Fri, 07/31/2009 - 11:15am

I am trying to accomplish the same thing as you did.
I have a Bogen UTI1 interface connected to my trixbox, I am able to page to it but how did you connect the night ringer to the PBX , I would like to be able to have my overhead ring at the same time that some of the extension ring. did you create a special extension? or do I need something else for that?
Thanks for your info,
David


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andrew
Posts: 1472
 Member Since:
2006-05-30
Valcom makes a very nice SIP
Fri, 07/31/2009 - 12:37pm

Valcom makes a very nice SIP interface for their speakers why not use that.


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joshpatten
Posts: 733
 Member Since:
2007-01-20
You could have saved
Fri, 07/31/2009 - 2:58pm

You could have saved yourself a lot of trouble and searched through valcom's website and found this: http://www.valcom.com/pagecontrol_prod/oneway.htm at the bottom they have FXS adapters that will connect to your existing paging amplifiers et all.


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