atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Panasonic Telephones & Systems Paging distorted at times

System is Panasonic KX-T30310 with Bogen PA. When paging from a telephone, at times the paging sound is distorted and hard to understand. This is an intermittent problem, usually occurring in the afternoon and evening, but seems ok mornings. I checked wiring and speakers which are ok. PA settings are equal and sounded fine when testing- music volume, mic volume, tel volume, and muting are all set to 1.

Does anyone know what might be causing this intermittent problem?

Well, the situation has been updated. According to customer, not only does the paging sound muffled at times, sometimes it is way too loud.

Since you mention that it appears to be time-of-day specific, you may have a simple temperature issue that could be affecting corrosion. You may want to just take the cord loose that connects between the system and the amplifier and clean it with a Scotch-Brite pad on both ends. If that doesn't help, head out to Radio shack and buy another cable.

There's no programming that can affect this, so if this easy fix doesn't work, you are probably looking at having to replace the KX-T30810 or at a minimum, send it out for repair. I am sure that repair won't be an option since you will be completely down for several weeks while it is sent out.

Sometimes, the most basic things like handset cords or handsets can be the culprit. These failures are much more pronounced on a paging call than on a regular phone call. Those might also be worth checking/replacing.

I'm not sure if the problem is the Bogen TPU-100B paging unit or the key system, or the unshielded 30 feet of wire between them. If it was the wire, I would think it would be constant. Sounds like a chip problem, but I'm not sure how to isolate it. I'm sure they only want to replace what's necessary.

Temperature was the first thing I looked for because these Bogen units are known for that. It wasn't a temperature issue this time.

I'd still check the wiring between them. Those Panasonics are fairly stable, as are the Bogen units. Temperature can definitely affect a failing copper connection for sure and it can be intermittent. Ask me about my cable TV service...

I'd tend to think that if you had a hardware problem, it would be all or nothing. The only connection between the system and it's paging output jack is a 1:1 transformer, and if it was bad, you'd have nothing at all.

It also sounds as though a speaker wire may be getting pinched from expansion of a wall or something that is getting warm and then cooling off.
MrG

I'll try replacing the wire tomorrow. I'm going to the site in the afternoon to try to catch this while it's happening. Thanks, MrG.

Both you guys are saying the same thing, so I will definitely check the wiring again and replace it.

Out here in sunny California I have moved 3 Bogens away from directly under the key system because of heat. The music would cut off intermittently when heating up.
I'm talking 1 inch or less between the PA and the key system. Because of the unit's proximity the Bogen would block the air venting and it would heat up during the evenings after being powered up all day. Moving the Bogen so it could ventilate properly and powering it off at night solved these problems.

But, you're right Ed. The Bogen was stable. It was the installation that was off. I was wondering about Panasonic transformers, though. 1:1 isn't a step-up or a step-down. So it's a step-aside? Oh man, that's bad.

Yes, that was bad! Give me your address and I'll loan you my Kimber 1911, so you can put yourself out of misery! John C. (Not Garand)