Paging through Amplifier - Merlin Legend

[ndnalibi]

Hi All,

I set up paging for a new building. I took a handset, hooked an rca jack cable to the internal speaker, then plugged that into a new radio-shack 40w PA amp. Then out to 2 horns in the warehouse.

Users could then dial SA-voice 169 (paging phone extension)and the phone would pickup hands free and broadcast it over the PA system.

I originally used an old phone, which quit after a couple of days, but also threw a lot of line hum out of the speakers. Figuring the phone was just bad, I put a new phone in place. No hum and worked great---for a week, then no speaker output from the phone.

Amp works to speakers - tested.

Any ideas or solutions as to why this setup isn't working?

note: I've done this setup several times with Intertel Access phones in the past with no problems.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tdaugirdas]

Why don't you just setup an empty line port for the paging connection - which is how loudspeaker paging is designed to be set up. Then the amp can be connected to that line port (assuming it has an RJ11 jack). Most amps designed to work for paging have that option. You would then program that line port for loudspeaker paging under auxiliary equipment - and add that line to each phone that would use loudspeaker page. The button label would show up as "loudspeaker page".

My guess is you are blowing the speaker circuit on the digital phone - which is why your paging stops working. If you have a single-line phone module (o12 or 016 Basic Telephone module)- you could try the same setup you have now with a cheap single-line analog speaker phone. That may work better/longer.

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[ndnalibi]

Thanks for the reply Tom,

Unfortunately, the amp does not have an RJ-11 jack and the system only has 408 GS/LS modules.

Is it possible to splice an RCA jack into the RJ-11 wire, or is there additional circuitry needed in the amp? If so is there something I can purchase to make this setup work?

Thanks again.

Bill

 

[tdaugirdas]

Bill - I am not sure. Loudspeaker Paging systems normally connect directly to an open line port. Each 408 module has 4 line ports (but they may all be in use). A secondary option is connecting to a Basic Telephone module port.

You can buy a Page Pal 6 or Paging Amplicenter or a Bogen amp - they all have the RJ-11 connection available.

I would not want to steer you wrong - and have you blow a line port - and remember the line port has to be empty - and has to be programmed in system programming under Auxiliary Equipment as a Loudspeaker Paging port.

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[SYQUEST]

The circuits on phone systems operate in a "BALANCED" configuration (neither side tied to chassis ground) as opposed to most older PA amplifiers the "HI-Z" mike and low level audio inputs are "UNBALANCED" (one side tied to chassis ground). So you end up with a mismatch between the two devices, which can cause all kinds of problems, as you have witnessed by your kludge for paging.

Avaya manufactures a matching transformer to fix this situation so you can connect the line/trunk port of the 408 module "properly" without destroying any equipment. The transformer module comes equipped with a SIX POSITION 2-WIRE MODULAR JACK (for connection to the 408) and a female RCA jack (for connection to the amplifier). I believe Bogen also makes an adapter for this also.

In the case of the PAGEPAC equipment and others, it has a modular jack and a "balanced" input just for this purpose.

Hope this helps!

....JIM....

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Jim - You've just described the Music on Hold coupler.

For Loudspeaker Paging, through a Line Port, you're going to need an interface that provides talk battery to the phone system, and isolates and couples the audio to the amplifier.

That would be a UPAM, TAM-B, or PagePal, or similar.

 

[ndnalibi]

Thanks Guys,

I've looked at the UPAM, TAM-B, but they were cost prohibitive, I did find the following:

ATT-22052-006
AT&T® Pagepac 6 amplifier, 6 watt, will accept four 8 ohm speakers or 24-45 ohm speakers

Looks like it will work and it's fairly inexpensive. I'm looking for a liitle more wattage due to the conditions in the manufacturing facility, but I think I can boost that through my current amp.

Does this sound like the right piece of hardware?

 

[HiDesert]

Go to VikingElectronics.com...they have a Universal Telecom/
Paging Interface....Model PI-1....works like a charm..

 

[tdaugirdas]

I would look at the Avaya Paging Amplicenters as well - they are cheap at Metrolinedirect.com - and they come in various amp capacities.

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[ndnalibi]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I think I'm going to try to the TAM-B - I found it for around 150. Seems like the way to go.

Bill

 

[ndnalibi]

Just thought I'd do a follow-up.

I bought the TAM-B from Bogen with a 48v power supply. Programmed a line port for paging-followed the directions for the wiring setup and it works perfectly.

Thanks again for all of your help and suggestions!

Bill

 

[MrTelecom1]

If you do get the TAM B unit, and your connecting it to a CO port on the switch, you need the POWER supply for the TAM B unit to provide talk battery for the trunk port.
If you connect the tam to an available analog port (oops, you only have MLX ports!), you dont need the power supply for TAM B. They do work well, It's the only Page interface I use. Never had one fail yet .. (knock on wood!)

MrTelecom1
Living the AT&T/Lucent/Avaya issues
since 1979!