Options to get 2-way listen in working on ELK M1?

[nicholass817]

So I've looked around and haven't been able to get a clear answer to this.

What are the communication options available when the two way listen in is desired?

Is POTS it?

I have Time Warner digital phone, a spare uplink 4530ex, and a spare ipdatatel CBAT.
Can any of these handle me calling in to the panel and communicating through the two way board?

 

[Del91574]

*digital phone (buzzword for VOIP) has a chance of working.
 
No other methods really for the M1 and it's TWA.
 
4530 is data only and is dialer capture. The CBAT is essentially the same, although it does (or can) connect to the bus on the compatible panels, the communications route for upload/download is via other means.

 

[nicholass817]

Thanks DEL!!! I actually just found another thread you contributed to that explains this pretty well...change in search terms.  
 
I'm now planning to use the digital phone line as a primary with one of the cell devices mentioned previously as a backup.  I have full access to the eMTA settings so hopefully I can get it right.
 
One quick question though...and it may be a stupid one.  How do I wire 2 "phone" lines into the Elk control panel?  Do both devices wire in to the same TIP and RING ports on the panel (via surge protection of course)?
 
I feel there is something obvious that I am missing.  
 
Thanks again!!

 

[Del91574]

I wouldn't use the digital line as a primary if the secondary communicator uses any monitoring of voltage to determine if the unit should transmit or not. Digital lines via modems (not to be confused with the digital offered by some cable companies with NID's on the outside; Cox does this in my area).
 
If you can kill the cable line and the digital phone interface still provides voltage to the phone lines there's a problem. The cell will never transmit or switch over from the telco lines. Either dual redundant signals or choose one format or the other, but it'll also affect TWA.

 

[tmbrown97]

I would go with a Serially-connected uplink as the primary communication method and use a SIP connection or VOIP for the dial-in.  A voip.ms line will cost like $2/month and can be hooked to the M1's voice side; it can also somewhat function as a secondary dial-in (don't use as primary - VOIP isn't very reliable for data).