Phone access, hookup to OPII

[pete_c]

I did a quick test here using one of the wireless phones which is on the same line as HAI OPII.  I can hear the solenoid click putting the phone on line an off line.  If you hear the click then I would say that your configuration might be not right?  I just tested doing commands via phone and all was fine here.  I do hear a slight buzz (always have though).
 
Next I started the core server application and see the following being logged when the phone goes on and off hook:
 

VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled Raw: 55 3 2 Num: 770
VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled: 3 2: 00000011 00000010
VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled Raw: 55 3 3 Num: 771
VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled: 3 3: 00000011 00000011
VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled Raw: 55 3 2 Num: 770
VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled: 3 2: 00000011 00000010
VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled Raw: 55 3 3 Num: 771
VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled: 3 3: 00000011 00000011

 
Next I looked at my Homeseer HAI plugin and it does track the on and off hook stuff via the serial link.
 
Start with the basic listening (ear to HAI panel) for the solenoid click.  You should hear it when the voltage changes from on hook to off hook or off hook to on hook. 
 
Years ago I think that there was in place a voltage shunt for bb before it went to your cable modem.  Check for any voltage on your cable line before it goes to the modem.  I don't think there is supposed to be any with today's modem.

 

[ano]

Your voltages look O.K. You say the voltage drops to 15V when you take a phone and press talk, but is the same true when you attempt to have the panel dial out in response to something occurring on the panel?  As Pete says, there are relays in the panel that you should hear clicking when it attempts to dial or receive a call.  They are pretty loud so you shouldn't have any problem hearing them. 
 
So in "normal" on-hook state, the voltage should be 48+ V which you said it is.  Then when the panel dials out, you should hear the click and it should drop to the 15V.  If it can't get a dial tone, it may click and try several times.  If it clicks and the voltage drops, you may be dialing the number wrong or have the wrong number.  If it doesn't click, and the voltage doesn't drop when you have it attempt to dial out, it could be a bad board.  

 

[chrisdias]

i can hear the clicks from the panel, both when i pick up a phone in the house and press "talk" and when i trigger an event to call out.
 
when the event triggers to call out, the voltage across red/green (incoming phone) drops to about 6v and the voltage across brown/grey (outgoing to phones within the house) is at about 12v.
 
there is a click, a short pause, and then another click.  to me, it sounds like it is picking up the line and then dropping it quickly.
 
My custom application is logging the phone on hook and off hook messages from the panel, system events 770 and 771, usually only 2sec apart:
 
            Case 770 '0011 0000 0010 
                LogEvent("Phone is off hook")
            Case 771 '0011 0000 0011
                LogEvent("Phone is on hook")
 
after my test, it is still clicking every few minutes.  I don't get a 770 or 771 message on every click though, only on some pairs.  That is weird and no other messages are being logged.
 
I get the sense it is trying to call out since it wasn't successful on the first try.
 
because the on hook and off hook clicks come so quickly, it feels to me like the panel isn't detecting a dial tone.
 
Chris

 

[pete_c]

Just goofing here I took the phone off hook for 10 seconds.  I saw the message:
 

VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled Raw: 55 3 2 Num: 770
VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled: 3 2: 00000011 00000010

 
It will stay like this until I put the phone off hook.
 
Then I see (only once):
 

VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled Raw: 55 3 3 Num: 771
VERBOSE: SystemEvent: Unhandled: 3 3: 00000011 00000011

 
Earlier post I took it off and on hook a couple of times.
 
Can you get to the panel by pressing the "#"? 
 
Think earlier you mentioned that you could not?
 

To be exact, it says "we're sorry, due to telephone company troubles..." when i press "#" on the internal phone.

 

 
Can you borrow maybe some VOIP box from friend to test with?  (here guessing the issue is still relating to some configuration thing or VOIP box itself rather than an HAI hardware issue). 
 
Can you borrow a panel (spare) from someone? It only takes five minutes (slow five minutes) to swap out the panel for another one.

 

[chrisdias]

i cannot get to the panel by pressing #.  
 
My comcast cable modem/voip box issue is interesting.  this is the 3rd one.  The first one i had worked just fine with the OPII, except it started having internet connectivity problems.  I swapped it out, and my internet problems went away but i couldn't connect to the OPII panel. So, i swapped that one out and it wont connect to the OPII panel either.  
 
I wish i had a friend with an extra panel that i could try...  i wonder if i can send my panel to HAI so they could test it.  Anyone know if that is possible?
 
chris

 

[pete_c]

The neighbor in FL setup was using the Comcast VOIP box and its still working fine after 3 years along with the internet as I have tested it and can access the HAI OPII panel just fine. 
 
The panel in the house in FL is connected to the FIOS fiber phone box and it works just fine with the panel.
 
After reading what you posted I would tend to lean on the comcast cable modem/voip box being the issue.
 
I have three other VOIP boxes here and can test these to see how they work connected to the HAI OPII (just moving some patch cables).
 
I don't think there would be an issue with HAI relating to you sending the OPII board in for diagnostics checking your analog telephone stuff.  Only thing is that you will be without a alarm board. 
 
If you have a friend with an extra OPII board maybe you can get it as a loaner? 
 
Though if you try another board and it works then you have validated your concerns about the board.
 
I did a quick search on the Arris Touchstone TM722 Comcast combo modem/Voip and you can purchase one used for probably less than $50 if you want to purchase a hot spare and want to stick with what Comcast uses.
 
You can also replace it with a used D2 Motorola combo modem or even a new D3 Motorola combo and save on the monthly rental?

 

[chrisdias]

thanks...
 
my comcast cable/modem box is an Arris TM822.  it would be interesting to know if you or anyone else has this model, or what other models people are using.  
 
i cannot get fios unfortunately.  
 
What else do people use for home phone that works with the OPII?
 
Thx,
Chris

 

[pete_c]

Tested the following VOIP boxes to work with the OPII a few minutes ago:
 
1 - Ooma Telo (newest one)
2 - Dlink DVG-1402S - modded Firmware
3 - a  rack mountable 1 U VOIP box (we'll call it generic) 
 
They work fine with the OPII; just did a quick "#" test after plugging phone line out of each box to phone line in of the X jack.
 
I did also here the solenoid click when going on/off hook.
 
I'm guessing if you want to continue to utilize CC for your VOIP provider you could just replace your existing box with something that will work the same (and will work with your HAI OPII).
 
I don't recall what type of CC provided VOIP box or combo box was connected up to the neighbors setup in Florida.  I didn't really pay attention.  I did redo the phone wiring a bit though.  It is today using an alarm service via the VOIP line.
 
The fastest way being least invasive would be to upgrade your combo router VOIP box with something other than Arris.
 
Cheaper/also fast would be to buy a separate VOIP box/service; there are a few out there.

 

[ano]

I can tell you that HAI's official position is the OMNI PRO II doesn't support VOIP.  I use it with a VOIP box from NextAlarm and it works fine. (And NextAlarm is an official HAI Partner, so go figure.)  From experience, other VOIP can be iffy, especially if you are communicating to an alarm company but eventually most do work.

 

[pete_c]

I did not know that NextAlarm was an HAI Partner. 
 
I have them for my alarm service provider too.  (few years now). 

 

[ano]

I did not know that NextAlarm was an HAI Partner. 
 
I have them for my alarm service provider too.  (few years now). 

 
Check the bottom of their web site:
http://info.nextalarm.com/about-us
 
Of course other than the emblem on the web page, it means very little.  If you call HAI and tell them you are having a problem with NextAlarm, they will go "Who? Never heard of them." (A true story.)

 

[chrisdias]

i never heard of ooma telo until this thread, thanks for the pointer.  i just ordered one, we'll see what happens.

 

[pete_c]

Thanks Ano.
 
The Next alarm stuff is connected to VOIP, FIOS (not sure what it is) and copper.  No issues so far (after years).  The set up was very easy.
I've been happy with them so far. 

 

[pete_c]

CDias,
 
I think that your OPII will work fine with the Oooma Telo.  (optimistic guessing).  I have mine configured behind the firewall and proxy VOIP stuff.  Kind of close to a Fritz box (but not really that close).
 
You can also configure it with GV too and add a blue tooth dongle or a DECT extender to it.
 
Easy to configure; basically you configure it on the internal NIC such that you open the external nic for management; then move your network cable to the external nic.  I never really play with it much these days other than connecting the DECT phone to it. It is wired into the patch panel.
 
There is now a monthly 911 tax on it.  Its not really a lot ($2-3 USD per month). 

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

i never heard of ooma telo until this thread, thanks for the pointer.  i just ordered one, we'll see what happens.

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