Fax on ATA 2 - ECM question

[Mango45]

I have a fax machine connected to an ATA 2 on a 616 PBX. The fax does not work at all with ECM turned on. It attempts to send a page for a few minutes and then gives up. With ECM turned off, it usually works, except in the case of when there actually is an error. In that case, my fax reports a successful send, but the receiving fax receives nothing.

If anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it.

Thanks
m.

 

[Phonehed]

Sounds like the fax machine may be the problem. Unplug it and plug a regular analog phone into the fax jack. Make sure you can dial in and out to that extension and that the sound quality is good.

I also find myself wondering if an ATA2 is even compatible with such an old Norstar.

Does the fax machine work ok if you connect it directly to an outside line?

Are you using your voice lines to send and receive faxes?

Ordinarily you'd have a dedicated fax line that would bypass the phone system all together and go directly to the fax machine.

Phonehed in Dallas

 

[Mango45]

I can dial in and out to that extension, when attached to a regular analog phone, and I do not notice any audio quality problem.

The fax machine does work properly if connected directly to an outside line, as do two other fax machines I tested. The two other fax machines exhibit the same issues when connected to the ATA2.

I am using voice lines to send faxes.

Would the symptoms of the ATA2 being incompatible be similar to what I describe? I would think if it were incompatible it just plain wouldn't work.

I forgot to mention I also tried lowering the speed of the fax to 9600 but that did not change anything.

m.

 

[Phonehed]

I don't remember ever trying an ATA2 on a 6/16 myself but I won't be surprised to find that it's not compatible with the ancient (and ultra slow) software in that old system.

I guess you know you're at least 15 years over due for a major upgrade right?

Here in Texas, the only thing we use 6/16's for is target practice!

Why not give your friendly, neighborhood Norstar vendor a call today and ask them about a brand new CICS?



Phonehed in Dallas

 

[Mango45]

As long as what I have still works, I see no point in upgrading. Having a working ATA is not even remotely worth the time and expense (except of course to the Norstar vendor). I can just live without it.

If anyone has any actual advice for me, I'd still appreciate it.

m.

 

[Phonehed]

Sorry you don't consider my advice to be "actual" but I think you'll eventually find that it was pretty good advice!

You could always try changing station ports just for grins but I think you'll find that you're still gonna have the same problem.

You could also take a chance and buy one of the older ATAs to see if it will work or you could just spring for a dedicated fax line and connect it directly to the fax machine (like 99% of the other businesses in this country do) but since you've already determined that there's nothing wrong with your fax machine, I don't really think anyone else is gonna have any better advice for you.

Phonehed in Dallas

 

[Mango45]

Currently I have the fax daisy chained in before the KSU on one of the lines. This works, because the fax knows not to attempt to use the line when a voice call is on it. The downside is that when someone is sending a fax, the line does not show up as in use on the phones so anyone attempting to call out hears dead air. I am sure your advice would indeed solve the problem but I don't think I could convince my boss to replace the entire system just to solve that

Station ports...is that another term for sets?

m.

 

[curlycord]

Each phone or ATA or vmail is hooked up to a station port on the KSU (6X16)

ATA2 is compatible.

Try turning tones off via Feature #809
Link/Flash then * equals Feature
So from analog set or fax do Link/Flash * #809





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curlycord

http://www.curlycord.com

 

[Mango45]

Feature #809 gives me "Invalid code" :-/

 

[curlycord]

You need to do it on the ATA with your fax machine or an analog phone as I described.....ATA's have no display so no way you got that error.


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curlycord

http://www.curlycord.com

 

[Mango45]

Ahhhh. Sorry I misread your message. No luck unfortunately Same symptoms.

Thank you both for the suggestions!

m.

 

[curlycord]

Last steps to try...

Try another line, or 2...this will prove if carrier or system side.

Check all wiring is tight and no rookie tech stripped and punched down any stranulated cords etc.

If you have DSL on that fax line then make sure it uses a filter.

Try another pair of wires from behind the jack to the KSU.

outta ammo




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curlycord

http://www.curlycord.com