Using multiple old phones as an intercom system

[TelePlay]

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.

Since you were considering several different PBX's, which did you go with, the Panasonic 616 or something else?

[kirkblackberry]

Yes I bought a 616 very resonably on ebay!

[kirkblackberry]

I 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.

[kirkblackberry]

I work in the IT industry, I have shelves full of old laptops that I could run software on.

[markosjal]

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.

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

[kirkblackberry]

You 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.

[dsk]

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.

[markosjal]

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.

Yes but then came Gigabit and CAT6

[markosjal]

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.

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