I have bought an old Truck repair center that has shop space and living space. It will be our retirement property.
I have 4 big boxes of phones, from the 1930's to the 1960s and I would like to take the most interesting ones and set up an internal phone network for our new space. I would like to be able to dial any phone from any other phone, and be able to make the instrument receiving the call actually ring. Sort of an internal intercom? Connecting to the outside world in now a requirement.
I have seen a few posts on how to crack this problem but most list equipment that has been discontinued. I am wondering what equipment people have had luck with? I would prefer to have the phone connected via wireless if possible, since running copper back to the living space would add a lot of complexity. But I am willing to do it if it adds simplicity and reliability. Raspberry PI with 3cx? Chinese PABX? I am open to ideas! And I am very appreciative of any help and experiences you all could share! Connecting to the outside world in now a requirement.
Thank You!
I would go for a Panasonic PBX. Easy to set up & use. Can be connected to the outside line also. It would require running wires to the phone jacks though. I am not familiar with the "new" computer systems like the Pi Rasberry that many here use so I will let them remark on that.
Welcome to the forum, I agree with Harry, a wired PBX system of some sort is your best bet. I would not fear 'discontinued' systems.
I would be surprised if the property does not already have phone cabling in place?
I personally enjoy tinkering with the 'key' type systems, many older phones can be modified to work on a key system intercom line.
If you do have some old phone wiring in that place post some pictures.
Cheers
--Stephen
Hi, and welcome.
I would also recommend a PBX that understands rotary phones (and if needed touch tone phones)
I have a working PAX at home made in 1946 (but designed in 191x) that works, nothing I will suggest to look after, The very best may be a Panasonic KXT-616, one of the last that accepted rotary phones. (No letters after KXT in the "name")
Then you have 16 lines. You may even connect it to a VOIP ATA or an mobile adapter.
Hi and welcome to CRPF.
As above, a Panasonic KX-T (PBX) is worth consideration.
Select a model and have a read up on their features via one of the manuals on these links:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16290
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=20887
You will need the controller (wall unit) together with the phone for that model to program the features.
Screenshot below of the version I have (Panasonic KX-TDA30).
——
We love pictures and would like to see what you have in your boxes.
You can start a new thread in 'My Telephone Collection':
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?board=68.0
:)
Thank you for all the ideas, I am definitely soaking all this up like a sponge, a funny side note when I bought my house which was built in 1956 there were Rumors in the neighborhood that it had been used has the local betting establishment, when we did some renovations we found this old pbx.
Sadly in the new building there is no existing copper phone system. But before I insulate and put walls up will be a great time to run some lines.
So Panasonic PBx ebay! The PI and 3cx software look interesting, but too many adapters to make it work! That would be like $100 per phone.
Although this seems pricy too?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1339579300108498/?mibextid=dXMIcH
There are some kx-tda50s on ebay....
Quote from: kirkblackberry on March 07, 2023, 08:24:17 AMSadly in the new building there is no existing copper phone system. But before I insulate and put walls up will be a great time to run some lines.
great idea. I would run a home run to each room. Probably also a good idea to run some CAT cable for future use.
Quote from: HarrySmith on March 07, 2023, 01:58:04 PMgreat idea. I would run a home run to each room. Probably also a good idea to run some CAT cable for future use.
Thats also a good idea. I just have to choose a location for my network closet!
I have a pretty empty canvas over there, currently.
Here are two KX-T616s or KX-T61610. This supports 6 lines + 16 stations (phones). Single line rotary or Touch-Tone sets work without any modification. You might want at least one proprietary Panasonic multi-line for programming, but the default programming allows all 6 lines to work and single line phones to call out by dialing 9 first.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/295497088706 ---- $38.68 buy-it-now
https://www.ebay.com/itm/195608058143 ---- $68.00 buy-it-now
Quote from: poplar1 on March 07, 2023, 03:09:26 PMHere are two KX-T616s or KX-T61610. This supports 6 lines + 16 stations (phones). Single line rotary or Touch-Tone sets work without any modification. You might want at least one proprietary Panasonic multi-line for programming, but the default programming allows all 6 lines to work and single line phones to call out by dialing 9 first.
Thank you so much I purchased one of those units now I will have to figure out which multi line phone I need, it might be fun playing with the programming side but I have read that I need some sort of specific phone to do that?
Quote from: kirkblackberry on March 07, 2023, 05:28:05 PM. . . now I will have to figure out which multi line phone I need, it might be fun playing with the programming side but I have read that I need some sort of specific phone to do that?
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16290.0
Oh and I did take your advice and start to post pictures of the phones in my collection
Okay, I have a handset and a PBX on the way from eBay I will keep you posted on what my results are, once I get them I'll be sure to hook them up to a few phones to see what I can get working in the meantime I've downloaded the manuals so I can be familiar with a little bit of the programming. Thank you everybody for going above and beyond to help me out
When we bought our houses in 2009 and 2013, all the phone wiring had been removed, so, of course, I put it back in, and had regular telephone service with the regular telephone company.
Mike
Same for me, when we had our walls open about 10 years ago, I ran a cat 5 for telephone and a cat 6 for data to each spot that I thought I might want a phone or a computer. In hindsight, I should have run to more places.
I will have to see if i still have that gizmo for terminating phone lines
Congratulations! The idea of using cat wires are good. All cat 5 or higher has 8 strnds (4 pairs) only 2 pairs are needed for the data network, and then you have 2 pairs for phones if you should happend to have forgot to run both data and phone to plase you need both. Ofcours the best will be to always have enough to all places, but it is not easy to plan everything, and sometimes tha money counts too. :)
Nothing like jumping right in ;D A PBX already, and plans for wiring the house to use old phones. I guess you have already contracted a bad case of Phoneitis. Sit back & enjoy the ride! As already suggested if at all possible plan on over wiring. Don't think about what you want to do today, think about the future possibilities. You never know what you will want or need in the future.
Quote from: kirkblackberry on March 07, 2023, 06:18:58 AMThank you for all the ideas, I am definitely soaking all this up like a sponge, a funny side note when I bought my house which was built in 1956 there were Rumors in the neighborhood that it had been used has the local betting establishment, when we did some renovations we found this old pbx.
That looks to be an early key system, possibly a 1A1, you should bring that with you.
The power supplies are super handy.
Quote from: 5415551212 on March 08, 2023, 06:36:20 PMThat looks to be an early key system, possibly a 1A1, you should bring that with you.
The power supplies are super handy.
I am definitely bringing that along with me!
I'm getting in late on this discussion, but put my 2¢ in for the Panasonic KX-TA624/824 line of devices. They work with both analog and digital and have up to 6 or 8 outside lines (just be careful that you get a 6x16 or 6/8x24 setup, so you don't have to add cards later - I have 2 of them I use for testing, and once I get my basement renovated, I plan to run cables throughout my townhouse, replacing the existing Cat 3 wiring...)
well I received the PBX and it works fine with no programming needed, although I did buy the phone needed to program it should I need to.
The only issue was that some of my phones would not ring, so I moved the ringer wire to a different terminal and that has worked for the 3 phones that I have been testing with. most of the phones in my collection have missing or damaged line cords, so I am ordering some of those to so more testing.
Quote from: kirkblackberry on March 16, 2023, 02:11:29 PMwell I received the PBX and it works fine...
Excellent news.
Now we need photos. We love photos!
:)
COOL! Agreed, we need pictures. Not just the PBX but phones too ;D
Quote from: HarrySmith on March 16, 2023, 03:10:43 PMCOOL! Agreed, we need pictures. Not just the PBX but phones too ;D
The phone pictures are in my other thread.
EDIT: Link to the phone images
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=27301.0
I think you should re-evaluate the IP PBX option.
First 3CX is NOT the best solution. It is not open source and the publisher could kill the free versions at any time and they have done those kinds of things in the past when they acquired other projects.
The absolute cheapest (assuming you do not have an old computer around to use)
Used Chromebox CN 60 running Mr Chromebox (to make it act just like a PC), and FreePBX (To connect to VoIP)
I buy these often times at $30 on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/325577624333
Grandstream HT 802 (supports 2 extensions) $32.99 or less than $17 per phone
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175612841510
these support high ring power and pulse dialing
I sometimes wonder how people come up with things like $100 per extension when it is way cheaper than that.
I would also opt for a more modern VoIP system over an analog system any day of the week
Quote from: kirkblackberry on March 16, 2023, 02:11:29 PMwell I received the PBX and it works fine with no programming needed, although I did buy the phone needed to program it should I need to.
Since you were considering several different PBX's, which did you go with, the Panasonic 616 or something else?
Yes I bought a 616 very resonably on ebay!
Quote from: markosjal on March 16, 2023, 04:05:08 PMI think you should re-evaluate the IP PBX option.
First 3CX is NOT the best solution....
I see what you're saying, and I understand that I would probably have more functionality if I went the VoIP route. I guess maybe I should run some CAT5 and some phone lines to each one of the locations in case I decide to explore another method.
I work in the IT industry, I have shelves full of old laptops that I could run software on.
Quote from: kirkblackberry on March 16, 2023, 06:05:26 PMI see what you're saying, and I understand that I would probably have more functionality if I went the VoIP route. I guess maybe I should run some CAT5 and some phone lines to each one of the locations in case I decide to explore another method.
You need either cat 5 (or cat 6) to locate the ATA near each phone or phone wire, but not both. Of course if it were me I would run 2x cat5 (or cat 6 ) to each location cause that's the way I am and I can ALWAYS USE A cat 5 (OR CAT 6) for phone
The other advantage you get from going with the Grandstream is the ability to do toone over-dialing from a rotary phone (dial 1 for english , dial 2 for spanish, etc)
ALSO MAKE SURE.... You DO NOT buy Vonage branded units as they are locked to Vonage and you will have to unlock them. This can be done and is not difficult but an additional step
Quote from: markosjal on March 16, 2023, 06:20:33 PMYou need either cat 5 (or cat 6)...
Yes, as long as I have one pair of wires I can always use it for traditional phone, that's a good idea that way I don't have to buy two different kinds of wire. With your design would each phone have its own extension like the way I would have it set up if I use this PBX? Because what we are mostly trying to accomplish is being able to call from phone to phone.
A single (POTS) phone need 2 wires, hopefully twisted as cat 3 or higher.
A data transfer for an ATA well done by CAT5, and uses 2 of the 4 pairs. That makes using a data cable makes it possible to have data + 2 phones on the same cable. (or 2 data outlets) Both systems are designed to end in a HUB (PABX) pretty similar to a Hub with spokes.
Quote from: dsk on March 17, 2023, 05:26:25 AMA single (POTS) phone need 2 wires, hopefully twisted as cat 3 or higher.
A data transfer for an ATA well done by CAT5, and uses 2 of the 4 pairs. That makes using a data cable makes it possible to have data + 2 phones on the same cable. (or 2 data outlets) Both systems are designed to end in a HUB (PABX) pretty similar to a Hub with spokes.
Yes but then came Gigabit and CAT6
Quote from: kirkblackberry on March 16, 2023, 07:08:03 PMYes, as long as I have one pair of wires I can always use it for traditional phone, that's a good idea that way I don't have to buy two different kinds of wire. With your design would each phone have its own extension like the way I would have it set up if I use this PBX? Because what we are mostly trying to accomplish is being able to call from phone to phone.
Each phone would not HAVE to have its own extension. You can put two phones on the same ATA port if you want. That way it would work just like 2 phones on a single home phone line
Quote from: markosjal on March 17, 2023, 03:08:33 PMEach phone would not HAVE to have its own extension. You can put two phones on the same ATA port if you want. That way it would work just like 2 phones on a single home phone line
Our idea, since the property is so large, is to have this sort of an internal phone work where you could call say from the shop up to the kitchen
I helped a guy do this on his property with antique phones using Asterisk. His son was familiar with asterisk already and they were happy in the end . He wanted to use all antique phones. I happened to even have most of the antique phone parts he was looking for like an NE 5H dial , etc.
He has for instance an extension for "the barn" but the barn is big and there is an extension inside and outside that ring on the same extension, whereas calling the "living room" would only ring the living room.
One nice feature with asterisk is the ability to make ring groups so that you can make an extension number ring a group of phones. 500 for instance may ring all phones in the house where 501 rings only the living room, and 502 rings only the kitchen, and 503 rings only the master bedroom.
All while 400 may ring the shop and the barn , 401 rings the barn (outside) and 402 rings the barn (inside) , and 403 would ring the shop.
You can break it down however you want but it is always best to plan it
In another example, I built a VoIP phone system across like 100 acres of land in San Miguel de Allende. They already had a wireless network connecting most of it together and we added VoIP phones. Actual phone lines connecting our VoIP lines to the world were available only at one corner of the property, but distributing them over the VoIP network the lines became usable from most anywhere on the property by way of VoIP / WiFi
So at each location you would need either a Phone wire run, an ethernet cable run, or a Wifi connection with wireless bridge.
Happy to help you with it if you lik
I highly recommend you consider the ring groups carefully as you will see that they become key wen trying to locate a person on another part of the property, when you are not sure exactly where.
Quote from: markosjal on March 17, 2023, 03:04:58 PMYes but then came Gigabit and CAT6
I'm running CAT3 in my house (got a load of it free, wired the whole house down to 66 blocks in the basement.
I'm using it for both phone and data. Max run might be 100 feet, and it handles GigE data just fine. Sure, CAT5 is probably better but for short runs, you can get by with CAT3 according to my experience.
Panasonic KX-TAW848 here and I have the programming "console" software as well.