Legend R6.1 - Trunk-to-Trunk Extreme Volume Decrease

[dostrow]

We have a customer with a Merlin Legend R6.1. We have it set up so that options in the voice mail transfer calls to the customer's other locations. The way we are doing this is when the option (i.e. "Press 2 for xxx location") is pressed the call gets transferred to a single line port that is forwarded to an external number (remote call forward). The problem we are having is that on the second ring out the call loses more then 3/4 of its volume. This is being doen with analog trunks which we know will lose volume but the call becomes almost impossible to hear.

We are pretty sure that if we did this over a T1 or PRI the volume would improve but there is such a severe drop in volume that we are hesitant to recommend that if, at the end of the day, the call doesn't improve enough to make a real difference.

Can anyone shed some light on this issue or possibly make other suggestions on how this can be done so the call remains audible?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[tdaugirdas]

You could try using an adjunct ext# - instead of the single-line port for forwarding - to see if there is any improvement in volume. You could also ask the Telco if they could boost your signal strength on each analog line. Poor quality analaog lines - to begin with - lose more volume than good quality connections. There will always be some volume drop.

Tom Daugirdas,
President
STCG, Inc.
stcg.com

 

[dagwoodsystems]

Audio levels for forwarded extensions are acceptable, provided that you are calling from another extension. But these turnaround calls that use analog both in and out will sound terrible.

I'm very certain that there's no way to alter the attenuation/gain values for analog trunks (which I believe are set for -6/0). As such, you will always have that audio loss. However, I like Tom's suggestions about getting the Telco to boost 'em up a bit.

A digital PRI or T1 (at least on one of the legs, if not both) is one answer. Depending on how many analog trunks you have, it may actually be a financially sound answer too. PRIs have gotten really cheap! You could be the hero that solves the trunk-to-trunk audio issue AND save the company a buck or two. I smell a raise in your future.

But perhaps there is another solution. I've seen posts on the Partner forums where Centrex transfer has been used in lieu of two trunks. Centrex transfers are done with a switchook Flash instead of the Transfer button. The call is conferenced--or effectively routed--through the central office rather than through the Legend. Audio levels are not lost using this technique.

I'll dig in the manual a bit and see if I can figure out how to pull off Centrex transfers from an Automated Attendant. I'm fairly sure this can be done...you just need to insert a weird code in front of the phone number to tell the PBX to send a Flash first. If I can show that this works (and it's the route you want to take), you'll still be tasked with converting your current analog lines to Centrex analog.

Tim Alberstein

http://www.dagwoodsystems.com

 

[dostrow]

Thanks Tom and Thanks Tim. I will investigate having Verizon boost the signal on the line. Of course you know how willing Verizon is to help - not. We were thinking about the PRI option but, as I said, we are a bit hesitant if it doesn't end up helping that much. The Centrex option also sounds interesting. The downside would be having to retrain employees to dial 9 + 9 instead of just 9 to call out.

In any case, thanks again and let me know if you think if anything else.

Don

 

[dagwoodsystems]

Don't worry about the 9+9 thing with Centrex trunks. You can order Centrex service without that option, or you can simply add an entry in your route table to outpulse it for you. I've done this a number of times to prevent the employee retraining thing. Plus, dialing 9 then 9 again is a nuisance anyway.

Tim Alberstein

http://www.dagwoodsystems.com

 

[dostrow]

Good Point Tim.

Thanks again!

 

[Telecomboy]

Just an FYI, I had a customer with a similar issue on a Legend. Anytime they used the conference feature the volume would drop. They switched from analog lines to a PRI and haven't had any issues since.

 

[TouchToneTommy]

For the Centrex transfer from the Auto Attendant, Merlin Messaging does not offer Centrex transfer, Like Partner Messaging does. The solution, depending on the Legend release is to Centrex Forward an adjunct extension, then transfer the caller to that extension.

 

[SYQUEST]

In regards to CENTRANET/CENTREX in GTE land(Verizon), they do NOT offer the "assume 9" feature in California. I don't know if this is true for the Bell Atlantic part(Verizon) also.

As it was mentioned by Tim, you can put the 9 in the ARS table to send for all calls, but if you do a hookflash (FLASH button) on the line for a transfer or 3-way, you will have to enter the 9 since you are not in ARS anymore at that point.

In regards to loop loss, that is determined by the loop length and cable makeup ie: wire guage, load coils, VF repeaters, and such. To measure loop loss you need a Transmission Measuring Set. You would test each analogue line on the Legend to know what you have. Most telcos have a maximum dB loss on lines by grade of service. If your lines are just POTS, then you may have to pay more to have them upgraded to PBX class of service to get a level like -3.0 dB on them. But pairs can go bad and impair transmission so you might want to have them checked out by repair service unless you have the expertice to do this. With a loop loss of -5 to -6 dB or more, bridging a call you would end up with a loop around of -12 dB loss!! That would be nearly impossible to hear on such a call. (I have discussed this subject matter in past posts on this and the General Telephony forums.)

As has been mentioned, if cost / line quantity can justify PRIMARY ISDN that would be the choice to go with, unless the loop circumstances can be remedied to give you adequate transmission on bridged loop calls.

....JIM....