Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Switching => Key Systems (Electronic, 1A2 etc) => Panasonic (PBX) Key Systems => Topic started by: paul-f on December 11, 2012, 12:23:34 PM

Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: paul-f on December 11, 2012, 12:23:34 PM
I have used phone lines, line simulators, Panasonic 61610 PBX, WE KSUs and several testers.  All techniques work. 

For simple tests I routinely use the Radio Shack tester, as the basic switchhook, receiver, transmitter, dial and ringer tests can easily be completed in under a minute with a little practice.

See this thread:
  http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=4386.0
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: gpo706 on December 16, 2012, 06:25:19 AM
2CV - agreed another handy use for that set.
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: HarrySmith on December 27, 2012, 08:47:08 PM
Man, I love the telephone collecting community! Since I got no response here about an available tester I put a message on the lists. I got a member who offered to send me a Panasonic 616 for the cost of shipping!!! Where else can you find people like that!!
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: HarrySmith on December 27, 2012, 09:35:35 PM
Yeah, I saw the same thing. I also found brand new ones for the same price off eBay. I was not asking for a KSU but it was suggested and since the price was right......
Now I have to figure out how it works!
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: Phonesrfun on December 27, 2012, 10:06:24 PM
I think the 616 would be a good solution for you.
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: HarrySmith on December 29, 2012, 07:11:38 AM
Cool, thanks guys. I can't wait to get it! In looking at the install manual it appears it needs an incoming phone line, which I don't have. Is this right??
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: twocvbloke on December 29, 2012, 07:24:03 AM
The phone line is only needed if you plan to make calls with it, mine has not phoneline and still works fine... :)

One trick with them is to connect a free extension port (I usually use the last one on mine, which is 36, would be 26 on a US version) to the last CO port, then when you dial said extension, it'll make the whole system ring your phones with an external call ring cadence, perfect for demoing the ringers of your phones... :)
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: DavePEI on December 29, 2012, 07:25:20 AM
Quote from: HarrySmith on December 29, 2012, 07:11:38 AM
Cool, thanks guys. I can't wait to get it! In looking at the install manual it appears it needs an incoming phone line, which I don't have. Is this right??
I am assuming you are talking about the Panasonic?

No, you don't need to have an incoming line. Just connect them as extensions, then dial from one extension to another, i.e dial from ext. 11 to 12, 13, 14. etc.

Dave
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: gpo706 on December 29, 2012, 09:50:20 AM
It will only access a POTS line by dialling 9, if there is no line connected it (obviously) won't pick it up.
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: DavePEI on January 10, 2013, 10:38:57 AM
Quote from: poplar1 on January 10, 2013, 10:26:09 AM
The same seller just sold another BK 1050 today for $150:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150977743392
Yep, they are very popular ones!

Dave
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: HarrySmith on January 14, 2013, 07:32:00 PM
Got my Panasonic today!! Not only did he send me the PBX, I also got a Panasonic telephone to go with it and a looseleaf binder with all the manuals in it! All for the cost of UPS shipping, $40.00! Now to figure out how to use it.
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: poplar1 on January 14, 2013, 08:32:27 PM
The default program is as follows:

Dialing from one extension to another

Dialing 9 for an outside line, starting with line 1

Dialing ? for a particular outside line

Ringing of all extensions on an incoming C.O. call; just pick up any phone to answer

Transfer of incoming C.O. call from one extension to another (Flash and dial ext. #)

You can wire an ext. port into a line port then dial that ext. # to ring the other 15 phones since it will look like an incoming C.O. call.

Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: Greg G. on January 14, 2013, 09:03:05 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on January 14, 2013, 07:32:00 PM
Got my Panasonic today!! Not only did he send me the PBX, I also got a Panasonic telephone to go with it and a looseleaf binder with all the manuals in it! All for the cost of UPS shipping, $40.00! Now to figure out how to use it.

Great deal!
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: Greg G. on January 14, 2013, 09:08:29 PM
Quote from: poplar1 on January 14, 2013, 08:32:27 PM
The default program is as follows:

Ringing of all extensions on an incoming C.O. call; just pick up any phone to answer


They'll ring in cascading order unless you set it up otherwise.  I never looked at the manual for my 308, because I thought it was funner that way:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILUvbF62yB4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILUvbF62yB4)
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: poplar1 on January 14, 2013, 09:23:20 PM
Key systems installed in offices usually have only one or two phones ringing for the listed directory number calls, and other phones that ring only for a personal line. So cascading is not usually a problem.

I think the ring generator is too small to ring more than 4 ports at once (up to two phones per port).
[EDIT: MAX 6 STANDARD PHONES PER  RINGING GROUP]

You can always put phones within hearing range on every 4th station port (1st, 5th, 9th, 13th or 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, etc.) Or put similar sounding phones together: for example,  8A ringers (candlesticks) on 1,5,9,13; 78A ringers (202s with 684A subsets) on 2,6,10,14; B1AL ringers (302s)  on 3,7,11,15; C4A ringers (500s) on 4, 8, 12,16.

Does the cascading happen only on single line ("Industry Standard") phones or also on the proprietary multi-line Panasonic phones?
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: gpo706 on January 15, 2013, 01:34:22 PM
Quote from: poplar1 on January 14, 2013, 09:23:20 PM
Does the cascading happen only on single line ("Industry Standard") phones or also on the proprietary multi-line Panasonic phones?

I don't know if I am reading you right, but my prop phone (7130) is on 21, another phone is on 27, and a Dictograph on 36, the only three numbers I programmed to ring on incoming calls, and they all cascade.
Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: Phonesrfun on January 15, 2013, 01:40:08 PM
David W. mentioned dialing ? for a specific outside line, instead of dialing 9 to get the first available outside line.  On my 616, and I assume the same on the 308, you dial 81 to get outside line 1, 82 for outside line 2 and so forth.

Title: Panasonic 616
Post by: poplar1 on January 15, 2013, 01:59:45 PM
21 would ring first (21, 25, 29, and 33 ring together)
                             (22, 26, 30 and 34 ring together next)
27 next                  (23, 27, 31 and 35 ring together)
36 last                   (24, 28, 32, 36 ring together)
Title: Re: Panasonic 616
Post by: Doug Rose on January 15, 2013, 05:56:28 PM
Just in case anyone need a softcopy of the manual....Doug
Title: Re: Panasonic 616
Post by: poplar1 on January 15, 2013, 08:18:44 PM
Doug, thanks for posting the link for the installation manual.
Title: Re: Panasonic 616
Post by: m1898 on November 24, 2013, 12:13:02 AM
Other than ebay, what are some good sources (re:cheap) for the 616?
Title: Re: Panasonic 616
Post by: twocvbloke on November 24, 2013, 08:49:52 AM
Quote from: m1898 on November 24, 2013, 12:13:02 AM
Other than ebay, what are some good sources (re:cheap) for the 616?

Local businesses upgrading, auction houses, swapmeets, etc.... :)
Title: Re: Panasonic 616
Post by: Fabius on April 20, 2014, 11:08:48 AM
Don't forget Craigslist.
Title: Re: Panasonic 616
Post by: HarrySmith on August 04, 2021, 08:11:16 AM
Question on the Panasonic PBX. I have never unplugged mine or turned it off since I got it. Do you leave yours on all the time or do you shut it down when not in use? I will sometimes go weeks without using it. I was curious if disconnecting it may extend the life or not. I seem to recall a discussion somewhere stating they were not meant to turn off & on but I could not find it.
What's your opinion?
Title: Re: Panasonic 616
Post by: Doug Rose on August 04, 2021, 08:25:30 AM
Quote from: HarrySmith on August 04, 2021, 08:11:16 AM
Question on the Panasonic PBX. I have never unplugged mine or turned it off since I got it. Do you leave yours on all the time or do you shut it down when not in use? I will sometimes go weeks without using it. I was curious if disconnecting it may extend the life or not. I seem to recall a discussion somewhere stating they were not meant to turn off & on but I could not find it.
What's your opinion?
Harry....I leave it on 24 x 7. Two ports I use on my test bench.

The Rotary phones I have working, I use the spare pairs in my house cable to location so I can dial out and keep the cordless phones separate....Doug