atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring Small office install - bigbox 4 line phones

Ha! Sorry Hal!

That's what I get for not reading the whole thread ;p

Arthurs , correct at some point the owner is going to realize the lunacy of the arrangement and turn to a Pro to straighten the mess out and install some real phones

That's what I get for not reading the whole thread ;p

Don't feel bad, I'm just as guilty. I didn't even remember that I made that post until I went back and looked.

-Hal

I said right off I highly suggested that the owner go with a system rather than this cluster**** of bigbox phones but owner seemed to know best. It's actually going to cost him more by the time he's charged for additional labor...but remember, owner knows best. The $1000 or so that he's "saving" by not going to a system is a drop in the hat compared to other equipment (optometrist) he's buying and I still don't understand it.

I posted here hoping to get help and received some great information from some very helpful people. I guess we were all new at one time or another and had to be told something a couple different ways...apparently new guys are now exempt from this.

If a mod wants to lock this thread, that's fine to me. It's a great thread to point at for "what not to do"

I've just been watching this thread---didn't want to really add anything---it was just too, too painful to even read much less write anything. At least, Jeff, you're aware of the overall problems that this "solution" will pose.

In the early ninety's, we took over a real estate customer with the same set-up--but with Radio Shack phones. He insisted on no system, wanted to keep all of his DuoPhone phones but instead of the rat's nest he had at the MDF, he wanted all new cable and jacks. We resisted, and resisted, but finally gave in....and after all new cable, 66 blocks and jacks, he still had static on some phones. At least we were able to troubleshoot it (although it took much more time with this than a system) and find out that he had maybe 4 or 5 phones that were bad. Guess who's fault THAT was in his mind??? After sending him to RS to get some new phones, we kept in touch with him for about 6 months, then luckily, he never called back. He's been out of business for about 5 years now. I wonder why???

There is much good information in this thread to give to customers who are considering non-ksu systems. Am I missing something? Why not use a XBlue X16 system? Not a full blown system, but maybe an ecomonical alternative as long as the customer knows what features he is missing.

I don't think it's a matter of cost but a matter of stupidity and ignorance on the part of the these customers. They have it in their mind that they don't want a "system" for whatever twisted reason. The XBlue is a system, and by virtue of that is not acceptable no matter how you try to explain to him that it is a less expensive and more practical alternative.

That's the problem today. Back before 1984 if you needed phones you called your Bell company and they would install a 1A2. You had no choice and very few decisions to make but you were assured of consistent quality and operation. After '84 it became a do-it-yourself free for all with so much junk as well as good equipment available and everybody a telecom expert. Every day I wonder how communications even works any more and the answer is that every day it is getting worse and worse because of fools and those who think they are smart enough to re-invent the wheel.

I've lived long enough to have seen that as long a business is restricted to qualified people you are going to have a quality product. When you grant the general public access to that information, equipment and products it's going to turn to S***. Prime offenders (not just related to telecom) are the internet, big box home centers, digital photography- I could go on.

-Hal

Jeff.

Rather than monkeying with custom cables on the phone end, this may be a solution. I will say it is a solution waiting for a problem, and yes there are many more ways to do this correctly.


At least with this you don't have to cable them up.

Leviton 47609-4x4
[img]https://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=PNuDL1C7eTn3YdDL9i8OyA[/img]

I agree wholeheartedly with igadget. With these Breakout Modules, you can run your Cat 5e to each of those drops, but terminate at the TC (Telephone Closet) on a standard Cat 5e Patch Panel (which you're already skilled at).

Then simply patch in the 16 ports to the ports on the 47609's (you'll need 4 of them).

At the Workstation end, install your dual-6pos/4pin jacks for those woeful 4-line POTS sets, so at least the TC end is set up for the inevitable upgrade. Then, you only have to rewire the Workstation end and plug in a VoIP System at the TC.

That is, when the infamous OWNER comes to his senses...