atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information A good "analog-heavy" PBX?

Figured I'd poll the wisdom of the board on this.

I've currently got a Panasonic KX-TD1232, operating in a hobby configuration (e.g. no POTS connection). I'm using it to run several Bell System-era phones, including a 1A2 key system. The TD1232 is a nice device, but has a few "deal-breaking" limitations. The internal ring generator is fixed at 25Hz (not Bell standard), it won't accept 4-digit extensions, the intercom ring pattern is fixed, and a few other minor issues.

The question: is there a PBX available on the second hand market that has the following features, that anyone would recommend? I started looking at the Nortel Meridian 1 Option 11, which seems like a winner, but I can't find detailed information on the NT8D09AK analog card capabilities. The Nortel ring generators also appear to configurable in terms of ring voltage and frequency; this is a plus.

Desired features:
- Auto/"hotline" dialing for extensions
- 20Hz ring generator
- Pulse (rotary) dialing support
- Provisions for 4-digit extensions
- Computer programmable/configurable
- Support for 16 or more analog extensions
- Optional: paging support

Option 11 will definitely fit your request but there is a fairly steep learning curve. I have a couple in stock if you decide you want to go that route.

The NT8D09XX Features:

Provides 16 ports
Analog line card
Provides message waiting

I think that the AT&T/Lucent/Avaya Definity can do that, but, it is an expensive system and has a steep learning curve.

Maybe a Legend / Magix??

ACS would fit everything but 4 digit extensions. Unless I just don't know how to do it. Ring voltage is lower than POTS but seems to ring up my 1A2 and misc. 500 & 2500 sets just fine. 2.0 REN on each port, and every port works with analog T&R sets. Programming is pretty easy and all the manuals are available online. I have an R6 with 2 308 modules running sets all over the place. Also supports rotary dial with built in pulse to dtmf converter. Perfect for ATA's and other VoIP scenarios.

The guys on C*NET (www.ckts.info) use Asterisk PBX's to do all of what you want, and more. I have one that someone smarter than I programmed for me, and it has the capability to provide many FXS and FXO ports via T1 channel banks. Flexible numbering plan, add/strip digits, rotary and DTMF, AND you can connect to the rest of us all over the world. If you know how to program, that might be a choice to consider. I can put you in touch with the experts who set these up for new members. The only hardware you need is an old computer with a stripped hard drive, and a few other bits. The channel banks of choice are Adtran 750's which are dirt cheap on Ebay.

For hobby use, I'd look at a Legend R7. The "computer programming" is a little archaic, but it meets every requirement.

Wow...there's more options than I thought! Thanks for the suggestions!

Arthur: I was originally going to mention Asterisk, but I cut that out of my initial post. I'm actually registered for C*NET but am not operational (yet). I have an HP T5735 running Astlinux, three Linksys RTP300s, and a recently acquired Cisco IAD2432-24FXS. I have one RTP300 working, but am still learning to build my dialplan. The issue from I've read is that SIP doesn't seem conducive to hotline dialing; the ATA itself has to provide that feature.

Archaic computer programming isn't an issue; I use the DOS utility to program my TD1232. 4-digit extensions are more of a want than a hard requirement, and inexpensive hardware is a bigger priority. Certainly 2.0 REN/port is a plus!

I'll look around on ebay and see what pops up. Appreciate the suggestions from everyone!

Legend stuff is dirt cheap on EBay ... $400 phones sell for $.50!

I was going to suggest a Magix, but I wasn't 100% sure about the four digit long extension names.