I have been lurking anonymously for a while and I have found this site to be a great resource. I am new to doing PBX support and install work, only about two years now. I have been building and supporting PC networks for about 18 years.

I primarily support Partner, Magix and Elite systems, but have just picked up a customer who has a Tie Modkey 16.

I've learned quite a bit from reading the posts in the other areas, and now I have a few questions regarding this system, after getting a hold of the manual and reading it.

First question, am I right in understanding the wiring is done with each pair crossed? It looks like in the manual you wire each pair white-blue, blue, etc on one side of the station line and then on the other you start each pair the opposite, i.e. blue,white-blue, etc. Maybe I never noticed before with other systems, but it seems a bit unusual.

Second question, can you hook up an analog phone line anywhere else besides the emergency port? On Partner for example, the middle pair is just tip and ring so you can hook up an analog phone and it works. Of course no features.

Finally, kind of off topic: I have been really impressed with the Partner ACS system. It seems like a good blend of features for what you pay for it. Without starting any kind of holy war, I was wondering if anyone can point me towards similarly featured systems. I think it would be great if my company could offer other alternatives to our customers with 5 - 20 extensions.

Any help would be appreciated.

Does your Modkey have any expansion modules? If not it only supports 2 lines and 8 stations. It can be expanded up to 6 lines depending on the line module and 16 stations. I have not noticed the polarity issue on the ones I have worked on, all modular jacks for lines and stations. It does not support analog phones. The emergency port only supplies dialtone to a analog phone when the system has lost power. I like the NEC DS1000/2000 as an alternative to the Partner ACS. The NEC systems are feature rich and the Intramail voice mail is plug and play. The NEC systems also pass caller ID to single line analog phones including cordless phones. The pricing is very competitive with the Parnter systems. Both systems are very dependable if installed and programmed correctly.

Thanks for the reply!

So just to be clear, as far as you have noticed, you wire these things like all other phone systems in the usual order. I will check it out on my next visit to this customer.

Thanks also for the tip on NEC DS. I will definitely check it out.

Hi

I just hade a chance with modkey 16, It was in a store of one of my frinds, I wander does modkey 16 support any normal singel line phones (Analog)?? if so which 2 pin of the 1&4 or the regular 2&3 ???