[VoIP] Connecting PAXes and exchanges with impulse repetition facility to CNET.

[Ian Jolly]

At last after a lot of  experimenting I've finally managed to connect my old 1929 Unit Automatic eXchange No 5  (UAX5) to CNET for outgoing calls. Previously it was only able to accept incoming calls.

For the those not long enough in the tooth to remember the UAX5's in service, subscribers were only able to dial other subscribers on the same exchange or dial 01 to reach the 'parent' exchange operator or 0X to reach another manual exchange (I've got a "dialling code" card from Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch UAX5 showing '01' for the 'Operator' (at Bangor) and '08' for the Menai Bridge manual exchange).

Now by using a Linksys 3102  ATA FXO port  set up to link the UAX5 to CNET, I've managed to get the ATA to automatically dial John Covert's 24/7 'manual operator' on +1 263 1111.   

All I do is dial '01' on a phone on my UAX5 - I get a burst of 3102 ATA ring tone whilst the ATA is dialling +1 263 1111 followed by several burst of John's Ringtone.  The 'Operator' then answers and asks for the number I want. I read out the number and get it read back to me and then the call is put through.  Just like the "good ole days"  :-)

The only problem I'm sorting out now is the 'cleardown' time to release the ATA.  If the call has been answered, there doesn't seem to be much of a problem.  However, if the number readback is incorrect or the call is not answered, the cleardown time seems to vary from 15seconds to 45 seconds.  

The ATA can detect CPC, reversal, silence or  disconnect tone.  My UAX5 doesn't give disconnect tone - it doesn't even have a dialling tone!!   Hence I'm working on 'silence' currently. I need to check the CPC and reversal from the UAX5 yet.

This system can also be used to connect a PAX (which has no 'dial through' or tie line facility) to CNET.

I've also got an FXS port on a Linksys 8000  set so that it auto dials the 'Operator' on lifting the handset - useful for old telephones without a dial !

Ian J