sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Panasonic Telephones & Systems Urgent: Help needed with existing KX-TA624 system!

Please help. I've spent days trying to find answers to these questions.

My father has a KX-TA624 system in his home. He has two voice lines and a third line dedicated to answering and opening his front gate. All of his phones are corded. He BADLY wants cordless phones but we don't know what phones will work with this system.

I have many questions, please help! Thank you in advance and I appreciate the resource this board provides.

1. Can I go out and buy any multi-line cordless phone and simply plug it into the wall and expect it to work (i.e. answer/dial calls and have caller id)? For example, could I go out and buy the Panasonic 5.8Ghz KXTG6500B and just plug it into the wall? Will both of the incoming voice lines still work? What about the front gate? Should I leave the existing corded phones plugged in to answer the gate?

2. If I can't simply go out and buy multi-line cordless phones, what options do I have? I know about the Panasonic 900mhz system phones but with a large single level multi-room floorplan, I don't think those units will fit the bill. That brings me to the KX-TAW848 and the much nicer 2.4Ghz KX-TD7690's.

I've read the KX-TAW848 documentation and it says it is a very easy upgrade from the KX-TA624 system. "Simply unplug the KX-TA624, then plug in the KX-TAW848." How can that be possible? I thought these units had to be programmed in order to retain information like what line serves what function, voice mail, etc. Can I really just go out and buy a KX-TAW848 and a few KX-TD7690 handsets, go home and unplug the KX-TA624 and have a fully working system with the exact same features already up and running?

I'm really confused but answers to these questions would save the day! I understand technicians are typically required for this kind of work but costs and privacy concerns are a major issue. Any help you can provide would be great! Thank you again.

1. Yes and no. a standard cordless phone would work, but in order to transfer and other common functions would be difficult because you would need to remember codes. There is a system cordless phone kxt-7895 and I think the other is Kxt-7885.

2. I have had no issues with coverage with these phones. I would ensure the base in installed near the center of the house, you should be fine.

3. no need to buy a new system, and yes it would need programmed not simply plug and play equipment.

installing these cordless phones will require programming, you will need the manual, or a service call.

Thank you for the very fast reply! Question about programming: If we were to buy the KX-TAW848, without having any clue what is configured in the existing KX-TA624, would it be a problem for us to program the new system?

I know there are three lines, I know two are voice and I have their numbers. I know the third line responds to the gate and opens on pin code. I know all lines have caller id. Is there anything else I would have to know in advance? Would the manual alone be enough to walk me through setting up the KX-TAW848 to work exactly how the KX-TA624 currently is?

I am almost positive my father is going to want the KX-TAW848 because the 2.4Ghz cordless phones are much smaller and, supposedly, better range, battery and clarity.

THANK YOU AGAIN!

instill,
Yeah, there is quite a bit more to know about programming telephone systems....that is why there are phone techs around! Seriously there are questios that are not thought about until you are programming. Not just the questions but the how to. With a lot of work you could do it, there is information online and in manuals that could get you through it. However, if you just buy the system from a vendor you will be better off. First you will have a professional install (hopefully) and then you will get warranties on labor and parts that are not available if you just buy the system and do it yourself. Second what may take a tech 4 hours to install will take you at least 8. They do this every day and know what they are doing. If a problem arises they can fix it pretty quick.....if you are self installing and a problem arises odds are you have never delt with anyhting like this before.

With all that said I do not know you. Perhaps you are proficient enough to do it yourself.

Of course there is alwyas the option of calling a vendor (or panasonic) and finding out what works. The net is great for info, but sometimes it is easier to just call someone that really knows your best options.

Hey, people on this board can help you though! If you go the self install route there are great people to help you out!

Steve

What about the front gate?

That brings me to the KX-TAW848 and the much nicer 2.4Ghz KX-TD7690's

costs and privacy concerns are a major issue

Are you sure that "Cost" is really a factor? I have seen what kind of homes have phone systems and key pad control gates.
Privacy I understand.

Find a good vendor and I am sure you could pick up the phone system PRE-programmed and install it yourself.Then work out a deal with the vendor for technical support by phone ( for a charge of course) in case of any problems.

Since privacy is the main concern this may be a compromise and possibly a solution to your problem.

The 848 is not easy to program.
You do not need to change systems to get a great cordless.
The 7690 phones look good, but: they are too small, the speaker is small and tinny. Do not get them without your dad trying them out talking on a real phone line. They are "PHAT" but mostly younger people like them. A large home could require up to 4 cell base stations for proper coverage, depending on construction, roofing etc.
A dealer can do a range survey
Look at the 7896 2.4 gig phone. It does not use cell stations. It will cover a huge house. The speaker phone is loud and clear and also the earpiece or headset jack. It is very well made and looks to hold up better than the 7885 & 7895, has lots of ring tones and melodies and other cool stuff.
Best features: has auto answer just like a reg system phone and receives pages. So you can have the phone outside and hear when an 'all page' is made. Working in the garage? Just set the phone
on a table or work bench and if called you can talk back even if under the car, just look towards the phone and talk loud, just like a std system phone. Of course it will ring and vibrate or silent vibrate also. You get 12 line intercom keys and 12 feature keys to select through the display. The display is large, easy to read, you can actually see caller id info, and has a cool blue light. You will not be dissatisfied with this phone. And yes you can answer the gate with this unit, no problem.


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