Re : Got My Panasonic KXTA308 PBX Running
Hi Members,
I would just like to Post the results of my 'trials & tribulations' in acquiring my Panasonic KXTA308 PBX.
. . .for a full account of my escapade and journey . . . .please feel free to read my original Posting (in the 'Classifieds' Section of this Forum . . .under Rotary Rose).
This is how it looks set up on my Coffee Table (*Please See Attachment Photos). Currently I have my King Pyramid 232 / 50AL Candlestick / W.E. #202 / Siemens 366 Wall Phone as well as the KXT7330 Panasonic (PT) hooked up to the PBX. . . .I also have a W.E. #302, but that is at work.
I decided that it may be prudent to also purchase a PT (Proprietary Telephone) with Screen . . .to assist me in any Programming requirements (*Please See Attachment Photos).
I was able to obtain my Panasonic KXTA308 Pbx for $150 (Australian Dollars) . . .and the KXT7330 Programmable Handset for $75 (Australian Dollars). They are a little difficult to find them in Australia, BUT they are out there. If you are in Australia - and you are interested in purchasing one . . please write me . . .and hopefully I can help you. The gentleman whom I bought this Unit from, has several more available (with handsets). It turns out, that these Panasonic KXTA308's are about 15 or more years old - which is why they are becoming more difficult to source.
The Panasonic KXTA308 PBX works a treat . . . .For Basic use - there was no need to do any Programming what so ever . . . just 'PLUG in and GO' . . .Brilliant ! However, if you do purchase a Second Hand / Used Panasonic PBX - I would recommend RE-SETTING it :
To RE-SET the PBX (to default Factory Settings) - simply PLUG in the Panasonic PBX to Power . . . TURN ON . . . .Carefully OPEN the FRONT COVER (undo the two (2) Screws) . . . . .Locate the RE-SET BUTTONS (*Please See Attached Photos). As you can see in my Photo(s), there is a small 'rectangle'Switch and a small 'Round' Switch. Flick the 'Rectangle' Switch over . . .THEN . . .PUSH the 'Round' Switch Down for two seconds (you will see the LED Lamp flicker faster) . . . once this is done . . .FLICK the 'Rectangle' Switch back to it's Original Position. There . . .you have just RE-SET your Panasonic KXTA308 PBX back to it's Factory default Settings.
*Please Note: that this PBX is not connected to any 'Outside Public Telephone Exchange'. It is ONLY utilised as an IN-HOUSE Intercom system.
I then simply plugged in my Rotary Telephones in the corresponding JACK01, JACK02, JACK03 Sockets . . . .and simply 'Dialled' any Telephone. For example, to 'CALL' the telephone plugged in the JACK01 socket . . .just dial '101' . . .and the that telephone will simply 'RING' . . Pick-Up . . and Talk. If you wish to 'CALL' the telephone plugged in the JACK04 socket . . . just dial '105' . . .and so on. Wonderful !
*As I am not connected to any 'Outside Public Telephone Exchange' - I do not have any LINES plugged in the CO1 / CO2 / CO3 Sockets.
As Member: Owain mentioned to me - it didn't need any programming in order to function properly. Furthermore, it was thanks to Member: Owain that persuaded me to concentrate my efforts on locating such a Panasonic PBX in Australia, rather than in the States . . .as I could encounter potential Electrical conversion difficulties (110Volts / 240 Volts / Hz).
I did however have a problem connecting my GPO King Pyramid 232 to the PBX. it seems that once PLUGGED in the PBX - I could receive CALLS (that is, the Telephone when dialled - did RING . . .and I could Pick-Up the Receiver and Speak normally) . . .BUT . . .if I tried to DIAL another Telephone Extension from the King Pyramid . . .I could NOT make another Telephone connected on the PBX 'RING'. I then tried another EXTENSION (thinking that it could be the actual PBX Socket that was the Problem . . But it wasn't . . .as every other Telephone worked properly in that same EXTENSION Line Socket). It was definitely a problem with the Telephone.
As it turned out - it WAS the DIAL SPEED of the King Pyramid. I managed to contact the seller of the Telephone ( another wonderful person suffering from 'Phoneitis' - as Member: HarrySmith likes to call us : ) ) He was able to correct this problem by improving the DIAL SPEED. Then . . .onced connected to the PBX, it ran like a dream.
If anyone is serious in 'customizing' the features and attributes of the Panasonic KXTA308 PBX to suit a small Business - I would Highly recommend utilising a :-
* OPERATING MANUAL
* INSTALLATION MANUAL
The Operating Manual is good - but, in my case - it constantly made references to the 'INSTALLATION MANUAL' for precise STEPS. Please refer to my original POST in the 'Classifieds' Section (under 'Rotary Rose'), where you will see where Member: gpo706, has referred me to Panasonic Manual Link Page. (thank you Member: gpo706 ) Furthmore - you will probably need it for a better explanation in Programming STEPS and information too. As it turns out, the only Programming I have done (using the PT Telephone) is to allow me to do the following :
* Allow 'ANY' Rotary Telephone to PICK-UP (Pick-Up the Handset and TALK) . . .when 'ANY' of the Telephones 'RING'. For example, if I use the Telephone (plugged in JACK01 - Extension 101) . . .and DIAL '102' (To CALL Telephone plugged to JACK02) . . . .the Telephone plugged in JACK02 will 'RING' yes . . .BUT . . .I can use Telephone plugged in JACK03 (Extension 103) . . .or Telephone plugged in JACK04 (Extension 104) to ANSWER the CALL (by simply picking up the Handset and Talking).
As I have 8 x JACK Socket Extensions, this PBX (at it's current configuration) allows me to have 8 x Rotary Telephones. As ALL my Rotary Telephones have RJ11 Leads - I had to find a solution to allow me to place ALL my Rotary Telephones throughout my House easily. I had to find a way of CONNECTING my phones to separate RJ11 Extension Leads. As a result, I was able to source some 30 metre length RJ11 leads from Ebay (Australia). I managed to source 30 metres for $18 Each (Australian Dollars + $9 Shipping). These Leads have a RJ11 Male Plugs at either end of the Lead. I thought this was a reasonable Price, plus the delivery was quite prompt at only 4 days. In addition, I managed to source the 8 x Female -To-Female Couplers for $4 (Australian Dollars) Each. This will allow me to connect my telephones to the RJ11 Leads . . .then the Leads can plug directly into the PBX Sockets (that are also RJ11's) *Please See Attached Photos.
So, in total, I have 4 x 30 Metres RJ11 Leads (for 4 Phones) + 2 x 10 Metres RJ11 Leads ( for 2 Phones). This gives me plenty of length to run my Rotary Telephones where I please.
I certainly hope this helps someone - particularly any Aussie Rotary Telephone lovers.
In the mean time - thank you to all the members that have assisted me.
. . .Sorry, just thought I would add this Photo as well : )
. . .Photos of the RE-SET Buttons.
Nice one, you have been busy!
These Pana's are a godsend for playing with your phones.
Hi Member: gpo706,
Absolutely . . .they are Magic !
Sorry about 'Doubling Up' of Photos there. Actually Member: Dennis Markham is having a laugh at how many photos I Posted ( Sorry Dennis : ) ). . . . . I think I probably used up too much of the 'ClassicRotaryPhones - Forum's' computer memory with these photos.
The thing about Programming these Panasonic PBX's (KXTA308), is that in order to accomplish a certain function . . . . you have to perform one or more Programs, to ensure the 'parameters' are 'covered'. This is where the 'Installation Manual' is useful, as well as the 'Operating Manual'.
It seems that (through my basic knowledge)
The Panasonic PBX are great small-scale systems.
What you want to be careful with is operating them sitting. They are meant to be stood vertically because they use convection cooling. I originally had a 616 ( 6 CO ports and 16 extensions) and it died because I ran it sitting down. I don't know if yours has the same problem, but I know the 616s do.
I think BSP has a point, best get the rawlplugs out.
Also, why don't you try a CO line on it, doubles the fun!
BTW you must get through some amount of coffee judging by the size of your table... ;)
Quote from: gpo706 on August 02, 2011, 07:11:21 PM
best get the rawlplugs out.
Now we can find out if anyone else knows what rawlplugs are! I do as a Canadian but I have always suspected that they might be British. You guys south of the 49th know what rawlplugs are???
Terry
Back east (New York) we used to call them "mollies".
Quote from: Adam on August 03, 2011, 12:17:27 AM
Back east (New York) we used to call them "mollies".
We had what we called Molly anchors or Molly Bolts. These are the metal things that you hammer into a hole in a hollow wall and it comes with a bolt that you tighten up with a screwdriver which pulls the back of the Molly Anchor up tight to the back of the drywall (or whatever). Once it is tightened into place you can then remove the bolt (unlike a toggle bolt where removing the bolt loses the toggle piece inside the wall). The bolt is then used to fasten whatever to the wall (molly anchor) by threading it back into the Molly Anchor.
Terry
Quote from: AE_collector on August 03, 2011, 01:23:43 AM
Quote from: Adam on August 03, 2011, 12:17:27 AM
Back east (New York) we used to call them "mollies".
We had what we called Molly anchors or Molly Bolts. These are the metal things that you hammer into a hole in a hollow wall and it comes with a bolt that you tighten up with a screwdriver which pulls the back of the Molly Anchor up tight to the back of the drywall (or whatever). Once it is tightened into place you can then remove the bolt (unlike a toggle bolt where removing the bolt loses the toggle piece inside the wall). The bolt is then used to fasten whatever to the wall (molly anchor) by threading it back into the Molly Anchor.
Terry
Rawlplugs are actually fibre (now plastic) plugs for inserting into masonry. Rawlbolts came later.
http://www.rawlplug.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=3
Hi All . . .
Thank you Member: bellsystemproperty / and Member: gpo706 . . . wow . . .I did know that by continually operating the PBX on a table top will over heat the unit. Thank you both for the handy tip - with regards to mounting the PBX on a wall (vertical) . . .had no idea ?! I will ensure to install it in a vertical position.
Member: gpo706 . . .how are you ? Yes, it is a large Coffee Table (2.5 metres x 1.5 metres) . . . it doubles up as a work desk / telephone assembly depot / . . .and drinks counter (cheers).
You could throw a mattress on that and use it as a spare bed RR! ;D
Quote from: gpo706 on August 03, 2011, 05:59:01 PM
You could throw a mattress on that and use it as a spare bed RR! ;D
Yebbut that would deffo overheat the panny!
Hi Member: gpo706,
Yes - I know, this Coffee Table . . .it's huge ! Actually, it's a large dining table that I acquired and simply cut the Legs, to lower it.
This is a great thread!
Does anyone have handy a list of PBXs that operate similarly to the Panasonic KXTA308?
I am really intrigued with setting up something like this for the house. However, since I live in a condo, it won't be as easy to run the wiring. If we get a house, you can bet I'd set something like this up without haste.
Quote from: bigdaddylove on August 16, 2011, 02:30:27 PM
you can bet I'd set something like this up without haste.
Thats EXACTLY how I do everything around here...without haste!
Your condo still likely has a point where all the phone wires come together unless it has a single telephone wire looping through several jacks. Put a PBX where all the wires come together. As long as your inside wire has at least 4 conductors you could change the jacks to double jacks and leave the main phone line working on one of the jacks in each plate and make the other jack a station on the PBX. That way you are covered for all options.
Terry
Quote from: bigdaddylove on August 16, 2011, 02:30:27 PM
This is a great thread!
Does anyone have handy a list of PBXs that operate similarly to the Panasonic KXTA308?
I am really intrigued with setting up something like this for the house. However, since I live in a condo, it won't be as easy to run the wiring. If we get a house, you can bet I'd set something like this up without haste.
There's three basic models of Pana "Hybrid" systems, the 308 (3 CO lines in - 8 out), the 616 (6 in, 16 out), the 1232 (12 in, 32 out).
Each outputs 4 REN per extension, so quadruple your number of powered phones on shared extensions.
I'm not familiar with the later systems, some of them are tone only or digital, and they look rather more involved than your 308/616/1232's
I'm a little confused, I've seen them referred to as KXT and KXTA; is there a difference?
What is a Panasonic Easa-phone 308 with modular switching?
Thanks!
All Panasonic PBXs that handle 2500 sets will also handle rotary phones. The part numbers can be confusing as heck. For example the old VA series does not handle single line sets, but the new KX-TDA series does (rotary included).
KX-TA is the current "open market" model with basic PBX features.
KXTDA, TDE, and NCP, are the current "certified dealer" models with more powerful PBX features.
One of these days when I get my photography & shipping routines together, I'll post a price list for new & reconditioned examples.
Quote from: GG on September 19, 2011, 04:51:35 AM
All Panasonic PBXs that handle 2500 sets will also handle rotary phones. The part numbers can be confusing as heck. For example the old VA series does not handle single line sets, but the new KX-TDA series does (rotary included).
KX-TA is the current "open market" model with basic PBX features.
KXTDA, TDE, and NCP, are the current "certified dealer" models with more powerful PBX features.
One of these days when I get my photography & shipping routines together, I'll post a price list for new & reconditioned examples.
Just make sure you get one that has MODULAR connections and does not have to be tailed out to a 66 block.....Doug
Or if you are looking to buy one that needs an amphenol connectorized tail-cord to 66-blocks, be sure you can order those parts from whoever is selling you the PBX.
Quote from: GG on September 20, 2011, 02:33:06 AM
Or if you are looking to buy one that needs an amphenol connectorized tail-cord to 66-blocks, be sure you can order those parts from whoever is selling you the PBX.
Plus a 66 punch tool, cross wire and modular jacks for those of you who are not in the industry....it might be more cost effective going for the modular one. Just my humble opinion....Doug
Well that is why they make both types. For the phone collector who just want plug in a few phones all in one room the modular PBX is likely best.
At my house EVERYTHING in the house is wired to an equipment room with everything terminated on BIX. I have a Norstar system that is all terminated on the BIX so it is dead easy to send Norstar stations or the real phone lines to any jacks in my house. I also have all my network cross connections as well as alarm system there on the BIX frame.
Terry
But Doug, doesn't everyone here already have a full set of telco tools including climbing irons and safety harness, and tension gauges for adjusting crossbar switches? :-)
Amphenol-to-modular splitters are another possible solution; however these vary as to their internal wiring and one can't take for granted that the wiring will be correct.
Good point....my bad
For those of us this side of the pond, neither amphenols nor modulars are particularly useful as we can't get the bits so easily.
We want krones!
(Or Jacks 404 for the oldies)
Quote from: Doug Rose on September 21, 2011, 08:33:57 AM
Good point....my bad
Well not neccesarily....Modular is still going to be the best choice for most old phone collectors who don't have a basement full of PBX installation materials and tools. As you pointed out initially Doug, it is something that we should know about when chosing a system.
Terry
Quote from: bigdaddylove on September 18, 2011, 03:32:33 PM
I'm a little confused, I've seen them referred to as KXT and KXTA; is there a difference?
What is a Panasonic Easa-phone 308 with modular switching?
Thanks!
Well, it finally came today. It seems to be a Panasonic Easa-Phone KX-T30810. I am guessing that it is the older version of a KX-TA; this thing is huge!
Pretty cool, I'm glad it was only $10.00 ($19.00 for shipping) since I can't really wire our house due to it being a condo. Regardless, now I can buzz people in to the complex with a rotary phone (granted it is hooked up to the PBX).
Quote from: AE_collector on August 16, 2011, 07:00:04 PM
Quote from: bigdaddylove on August 16, 2011, 02:30:27 PM
you can bet I'd set something like this up without haste.
Thats EXACTLY how I do everything around here...without haste!
Your condo still likely has a point where all the phone wires come together unless it has a single telephone wire looping through several jacks...
Terry
It's a loop system.
Quote from: bigdaddylove on September 22, 2011, 01:49:00 AM
It's a loop system.
How many pairs in the cable that loops to all the jacks? 4 pairs would still allow you up to 3 stations on the cable plus the actual outside phone line. Then you could wire stations seperately to the locations that are close to the pbx.
Terry
Well, I could not sleep last night so I took apart a jack to see what's up with the wiring. Looks like it is a loop system based on how the wiring looks. Also, it seems that the wire is 2 pair with and additional green and white pair that does not connect to the jack. Maybe it is for the intercom? Would someone look at the picture below and confirm?
Since I live in a condo, I don't think we have NIDs outside our units as far as I can see. There is a bunch of 66 blocks in the trash room and I can see all the wires running up through conduit in the floor to the 66 blocks, then out the top and up into the ceiling.
here's the pbx -- it's so huge!
I had to take the lid off mine to accommodate all the RJ11 tails/ ADSL filters so mine looks rather naked compared to yours!
That's the unit I referred to as a KX-T 308. Three CO lines, 8 hybrid stations, any station can be an analog phone or a hybrid digital phone. The hybrid digital phones use the analog pair (green & red, or white/blue & blue/white) for voice transmission and the digital pair (black & yellow, or white/orange & orange/white) for signaling (buttons & lamps).
The 308 telephones are specific to the 308 PBX. I've forgotten whether that meant that the 308 telephones can only be used on the 308 PBX, or whether the larger capacity telephones (616 and 1232) cannot be used on the 308 PBX. If I had to guess I'd say that the 308 telephones can migrate to the 616 and 1232 PBX due to Panasonic's policy of forward compatibility: if you got a larger switch you could keep your old phones from the smaller switch. That policy is still in effect with the latest generations, KX-TDE and KX-NCP. (Though there is a new Panasonic switch coming out that will grow to 30,000 telephones and uses a VOIP architecture such that older phones will not migrate.)
KX-T 308 was revolutionary when it was first introduced, due to the hybrid port structure and the dual-color LEDs on the telephone keys (green for the line you were using, red for the lines others were using, thus no guessing when you went to put lines on hold or pick them up again).
The subsequent model KX-TD 308, which was only around for a short while, was about 1/3 the size and about 1/3 the power consumption of KX-T 308. Currently the smallest Panasonic switch is KX-TDA 50 G, starting at 4 CO lines and 4 hybrid ports, with growth to 12 CO lines and 24 extension ports (DXDP port structure: up to two digital telephones per port; analog ports require analog port cards).
All of the "308" units are relatively rare today, compared to the various 616s and 1232s.
Bigdaddylove: it looks to me as though both the white blue and the white oronge pairs of te three pair cable are connected to the green and red of the jack for some reason. You should be able to get the tel line onto just the white blue pair and then be able to use the other two pairs to distribute two pbx stations.
Terry
Quote from: AE_collector on September 24, 2011, 01:55:09 PM
Bigdaddylove: it looks to me as though both the white blue and the white oronge pairs of te three pair cable are connected to the green and red of the jack for some reason. You should be able to get the tel line onto just the white blue pair and then be able to use the other two pairs to distribute two pbx stations.
Terry
Just how do I do that? I'm not sure how to make the connection between the wires in the wall and the pbx. Sorry, I'm still very new to the whole telephony thing.
Thanks!
*edit*
Okay, I think I know what I need to do. Please let me know if I am on the right track.
1. Install a two line modular phone jack near the pbx.
2. Use one of the jacks for the incoming telephone line (to the pbx) by using the blue/white wires.
3. On the second jack, connect the orange/white wires.
4. From the modular extension on the pbx, e.g. 11, run a line cord and plug it into the second jack.
5. Any jack in the house that is wired with the orange/white wires only will now correspond to extension 11 in the pbx.
Is that how it's done?
Can anyone verify I am on the right track before I go through the trouble and expense?
Thanks!
Quote from: bigdaddylove on September 26, 2011, 09:11:51 PM
Can anyone verify I am on the right track before I go through the trouble and expense?
Thanks!
Yes that is basically it. Here's how I would do it.
1 - you have wh/bl AND wh/or tied onto the green and red in your jacks so first you need to confirm that the actual phone line is ONLY feeding into your house/appartment/suite on the wh/bl pair by removing the wh/or pair at each and every jack where it is hooked WITH the wh/bl like in your picture. Then you need a test set OR hook one jack with the wh/or on the green red of the jack and use a regular working phone to see if you have dial tone there or not. If you do you have to get to the main telephone room to ensure your line only comes in o nthe wh/bl pair. While there make certaain the wh/or and the wh/gr have nothing connected to the.
2 - convert all jacks in your place to double or triple jacks. Double are much easier to find so put wh/bl on the first jack so you have direct access to the main phone line at all locations. put the wh/or on the green and red of the second jack and then put the wh/gr on the black and yellow of the second jack.
3 - get two or three "two line adapters". These look like the plug in double jack splitters but these actually bring the green & red to one jack and the black & yellow to the other jack. Plg one into the second jack located where the PBX. Now get three modular phone cords and patch the main tel line from into the line 1 of the PBX and then patch two stations of the PBX to the wo line adapter. Now you have the phone line into the PBX and two stations feeding out to all other jacks in the house.
4 - You can plug a "POTS - Plain Old Telephone Service" phone into any of the "second jacks" of the double jacks at each location to access your first station and if you want to access the second station at any particular location plug in one of the two line adapters to get access to eaithe one of the stations.
The only thing that I am not certain about is the odd jacks you show in the picture. I am not certain if you are going to be able to get a double jack that will fit that box. You might have to get a surface mount jack to mount above/below/beside the one that mounts flush on the box and then plug a two line adapter into one of the jacks to access your two stations.
I think that's it.......
Terry
Cool! Thanks, Terry.
I have to admit that it's a little more involved than I imagined.
Beyond the wiring and purchases needed, I'd also have to move a ton of stuff in my office (where the pbx is located) just to get to the jack.
Maybe this winter when there's nothing else to do I'll give it a shot.
Thanks, again!
So you have the right idea, I just made it a bit more work so you can do it once and it will be flexible for the future so you don't have to move the furniture ever again.
Terry
I have mine leaning up against the wall on a side table. This is for both convenience in access and also I'm reluctant/prevented from punching holes in the wall in my apt.