At work we have a need to run a POTS line approximately 250 feet. The tricky bit is tunneling is not an option, and running a cable overhead is not an option. So what I need is basically a wireless bridge for analog phones, and I can't seem to be able to find anything like it. Honestly, it would even be OK if it could convert analog phones to IP and then back to analog on the other end. We have fiber already run and could use the data network, but they don't want to go VoIP.

Oh, and it can't be a cordless phone, it needs to be able to support 4 phones.

Thanks guys.

lec

4 phones or 4 lines? There are a lot of cordless base stations that can support more than 4 phones, and even multiple lines. The Siemens phones recently being discussed in the VOIP thread for instance. Plus phones from Uniden. I think their bases support up to 10 phones, and they offer models with at least up to 2 line support. They should work up to 250 without much issue, especially the lower frequency variants like the DECT models.

Other than that, I suppose you might be able to find something to let the analog signal go over your data cabling. Don't you also already have some copper run with your fiber?

Unless you have buried the fiber direct in ground there must some kind of duct work between the 2 buildings ??? Can't you just run in a length of greased cable in that?

Cheers

Cris.

They want something more reliable than cordless phones (that was my first thought as well.) And it's just one line, but 4 sets.

As to the copper, yes I do have copper underground headed that way, but it's all running 110 power. I can only imagine how electrified the phones would become running next to power lines for a few hundred feet.

So what do you do mate? Oh I'm a cable greaser...

They don't want cordless phones because it is unreliable but a wireless bridge is okay? IP is okay but VoIP is not? Getting some conflicting ideas here

The most reliable solution I guess would be to run VoIP over the existing data cabling but they don't want that. You can get fairly cheap FXO/FXS devices but finding one that is standalone and doesn't require a server somewhere might be more difficult.

How about running the POTS signal over the power lines using this?

Manual available here. It says that each set will only support one line, so you'd need to get as many sets as you need lines extended.

Eww. Powerline comms. Eww. I wouldn't trust that to be reliable.

VoIP would probably be OK, but we're working with a limited budget. The server being the expense they don't want to incur.

If there's a way to convert to VoIP and then back reliably without a server, I'm all over that.

I thought about the power line modulators, but they're not getting their power from the same source. It's a totally separate line coming straight from the pole. It just happened to be close enough to the main building to run fiber through it as well.

Ahh! Yea, that won't be good over that distance, will probably end up with a nasty mains humm over the top.

Are you sure they are run by the same route? Usually things like that are run with some form of separation. No solution will be as easy as running in a bit of copper, also much easier to fault find on

Cheers

Cris.

I think running that distance underground in Cat5 or something would be a little daft, running in greased cable will prevent water running down the cable and degrading the copper very quickly.

Cheers

Cris.

Is any of that fiber dark? If so, you could use these. They're not cheap, though.

cheap and reliable


naw- just kiddin'

Mmmm.. I wonder if two ATAs can talk directly to each other?

If so, that would be a simple $100 solution over IP.

I've got one ATA here, with two lines. I could try setting it up to do that (talk to itself), except silly Cisco/Linksys didn't provide any function to backup/restore the current settings.

So I'm not touching it.

Any else ever try direct ATA-to-ATA ?

Cheers

This is exactly what I was looking for! And at ~$500 each side, it's still far cheaper than digging up the asphalt between buildings or tunnel-boring.

Thanks so much!

Ethernet Telephone Extenders ?

Yet another perfect solution for exactly what I need.

Now I have to choose. -=smile=-

Thanks again all.

I already sent one of these via inter-office mail!

I'd imagine you could hang a wireless ethernet bridge off of one of them and plug the other one into you nearest network jack.

Let us know how it works out.

Is this interesting at all?

Also this.

I know you said no cordless, but here's a great phone:

http://www.engeniustech.com/telecom/products/details.aspx?id=169

With an outside antenna, they have a range of about 3/4 mile. I even have a setup that I don't use any more, I think with 4 handsets. I used it when my office was about 1000' from my house. I could drive almost to downtown (about a mile) and still use the phone.

Unfortunately, my office is now a bit more than a mile. I'm sure with a yagi I could make it, but there's some tall stuff in the way.

John, those are both interesting... Gonna have to evaluate all the options and present some solutions. I have a feeling they will steer away from any wireless solution.

Larry, I saw those earlier today. The fear at this point is that the employees will either forget to charge them or will lose them. Personally I think they'd be great as the could take it anywhere.