PARTNER-18D & HEADSET OPERATION 2

No, there is no "headset release" button you can program. If Avaya puts that feature in, it would seel more systems. I cant count how many times someone wanted to change and go to a Norstar CICS just for the headset.

MFurrer@charter.net

Avaya does make a headset base unit for Partner phones that plugs into the accessory jack on the bottom of the phone, or into a splitter off the line jack if the phone has no accessory jack. This base unit allows use of a headset by pressing an on/off button. I don't remember the model number, but I can check in the morning.

Brian Cox

For Partner, Avaya recommends their
[ul]
[li]#407 875 939 (cord-free) or [/li]
[li]#407 153 253 (corded)[/li]
[/ul]
products. These are the amplifiers, and you also select an appropriate headset to match. I don't know if it's online anymore, but they have an 8-page headset brochure. If you don't have hit, drop me a request at john jshelton com and I'll forward a copy to you.

There are many tip/ring headset options out there; Plantronics has a couple with built in dialing pads. Radio Shack even has a $10 headset adapter: tip/ring on one end, and standard cell-phone style headset jack on the other. Very basic unit with on/off, mute, and volume. So you can put together a total headset package for under $30.

Any of the headset options plugging into the Aux jack seems to work moderately well; single-touch operation, independent from the handset. No need for handset lifters. Can dial from the phone or the headset amp (if it has a dial.) One feature missing from truly-integrated headset support is that if you are on the headset, and you lift the handset, the headset stays on.

OK, if you insist on using a headset that interfaces through the headset jack, instead of the "Partner Base" that is actually a non-dial single line telephone that connects through the Aux jack, try this:

Add a "phantom" line to the telephone set, and label it "Release" or "Hang-Up" or "Standby" or whatever. By phantom line, I mean a line that doesn't have dial tone, and doesn't even have hardware on the system. Something like line 19 or so.

When you want to use the headset, take the handset off the cradle, and leave it off. Press the "Release" button when you're not talking, press a line when you want to talk, and press the release button again when you're done on a call.

You can set the auto line select to go to this line automatically, but it will also affect normal handset operation.

Now, while you are using this set up, the extension appears busy on any auto-intercom buttons for this station. You can still receive intercom calls, but not voice announce.

Thanks everyone for your input! The T/R options and AUX will work in some situations, but in this case my customer needs the other features of the -18D set. He is using a Plantronics M12 Vista & Supra headset.

I think TouchToneTommy's suggestion might work out the best. I will set it up on Tuesday and try it out. I will let everyone know the results.

....JIM....

Note that using a tip/ring headset plugged into the Aux jack, you aren't giving up much in the way of Partner 18D features. You can dial from the 18D dialpad, use the Last Number Dialed and speed dial buttons, etc.

I used TTTommy's suggestion and reprogrammed the Partner-18D. The 'Release' key (alias co line) works great and the customer is VERY happy!

-jlshelton, I saw your post about using the T/R & AUX jack later. I did not realize the AUX was different than using a bridge off the main T/R leads, ie 267A adapter. I downloaded your Partner Overview document and will have to go thru it and also review the AUX jack functions to be more up-to-date.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

....JIM....