Problem using MJ with Digital Answering Machine

[JerryI]

I would like to use my own answering machine with MJ. I have already tried two cordless phone systems with answering machines, a 5.8 GHz system and a new DECT 6.0 system. Recorded messages from callers are uniformly unintelligible. But voice quality when I answer the phone is basically acceptable. I presume that the problem is related to MJ's data compression. Does this mean that I am forced to use MJ voicemail to be able to understand any messages? I particularly dislike that option because apparently there is no option for me to record a personal message instead of the MagicJack spiel.

Also, I purchased this new MJ on eBay. Does this mean I have no option to return the device for a refund?

Any help, suggestions?

[nailgunner]

I would like to use my own answering machine with MJ. I have already tried two cordless phone systems with answering machines, a 5.8 GHz system and a new DECT 6.0 system. Recorded messages from callers are uniformly unintelligible. But voice quality when I answer the phone is basically acceptable. I presume that the problem is related to MJ's data compression. Does this mean that I am forced to use MJ voicemail to be able to understand any messages? I particularly dislike that option because apparently there is no option for me to record a personal message instead of the MagicJack spiel.

I use a cordless 5.8 GHz with an answering machine and it works fine with MJ. I do use the third-party MagicFeatures Plugin which enters in the mix somehow. If that program happens to not be running, my unanswered calls revert back to the MJ voicemail.

But you are correct that there is no way to record a personal message within the MJ voicemail system. But at least from my experience there doesn't appear to be anything with MJ's data compression that screws up my messages on the machine, unless MJFeatures is altering the data compression to something acceptable.

Also, I purchased this new MJ on eBay. Does this mean I have no option to return the device for a refund?

Unless the Ebay guy has a refund policy you can fit into you are probably SOL.

I didn't buy mine from MJ directly, but if they did, I'm almost positive MJ will only deal with the original purchaser. If the guy bought it at a retailer like BestBuy you probably need to get your hands on the receipt before any retailer will refund an opened item.

[VaHam]

I would like to use my own answering machine with MJ. I have already tried two cordless phone systems with answering machines, a 5.8 GHz system and a new DECT 6.0 system. Recorded messages from callers are uniformly unintelligible. But voice quality when I answer the phone is basically acceptable. I presume that the problem is related to MJ's data compression. Does this mean that I am forced to use MJ voicemail to be able to understand any messages? I particularly dislike that option because apparently there is no option for me to record a personal message instead of the MagicJack spiel.

Also, I purchased this new MJ on eBay. Does this mean I have no option to return the device for a refund?

Any help, suggestions?

I would not think there would be a compression problem since you have acceptable results with the phone it self. The interface between your MJ and phone system is analog not digital any compression is handled by the dongle/computer.

I have observed however that the hook voltage coming from the newest of my MJ's is a bit unusual. The On hook voltage is +45 volts and normally the off hook voltage from a POTS line would drop down to around +7 volts or so. However in the case of that MJ it actually goes negative to -7 volts.

In some systems a voltage reversal is used for signaling and the phone system starts to react to that reversal which then changes the impedance presented to the MJ which in turn reduces it span and returns the signal to a positive value and the process continues... I would think that may make your answering machine be bad while you actual phone call be ok since there is probably a lighter load on the incoming pair when going straight to the answering machine.

I have observed this on an ATA where the sample rate is low so this is not a for certain but just a thought that I mean to investigate further when I find the time to drag out the equipment to make some better measurements.

If this is correct then the same trick which another user here came up with to deal with impedance issues stemming from MJ was to load the line slightly by placing a 1K ohm resistor across the red and green wires between your MJ and your phone system.

Since that is a quick easy thing to try you may want to give it a shot. Please let me know if my hunch pays off for you......you may save me lugging a old o'scope up stairs

[VaHam]

I particularly dislike that option because apparently there is no option for me to record a personal message instead of the MagicJack spiel.

Any help, suggestions?

Oh I thought I remembered that you could record a greeting of your own. MJ calls this your "temporary greeting".

It is a bit quirky but if you first use the vmail button or call your own number from your MJ you can get into the mailbox options and record your own greeting there.

I just went and tested this to make sure it was still working and found I had to first empty my mail box completely and then call back into my voice mail. Once you do that there will be a 0(zero) option to access "mailbox" options and once you've gone there option 4 allows you to record your own greeting. You also have a busy greeting and your name which you can record for yourself if you wish.

[JerryI]

I am not an electrical engineer and I want to verify that you are suggesting that I bridge the red and green lines with a 1K resistor: not that I put a 1K resistor in each line. Correct? I will pick up a couple 1K resistors today and experiment further with one or both resistors after I receive your verification.

[JerryI]

Thanks. This excellent tip should somehow be incorporated into the Forum's FAQ, as I suspect that a lot of folks do not realize that it is possible to change the MJ message. I have not researched far enough to find out if the info is readily available, but one respondee to my query indicated that he/she did not think it was possible to change the MJ blurb.

[JerryI]

VaHam wrote

It is a bit quirky but if you first use the vmail button or call your own number from your MJ you can get into the mailbox options and record your own greeting there.

I just went and tested this to make sure it was still working and found I had to first empty my mail box completely and then call back into my voice mail. Once you do that there will be a 0(zero) option to access "mailbox" options and once you've gone there option 4 allows you to record your own greeting. You also have a busy greeting and your name which you can record for yourself if you wish.

Sorry. I'm too new to be able to follow these simple instructions and cannot get t the zero option you describe. Can someone give me some further hints?

[JerryI]

VaHam wrote

If this is correct then the same trick which another user here came up with to deal with impedance issues stemming from MJ was to load the line slightly by placing a 1K ohm resistor across the red and green wires between your MJ and your phone system.

I bridged the red and green wires w/1K ohm resistance. Now my Ans machine indicates that there is an extension in use. I cannot call MJ at all now, as I get a msg from MJ that MJ customer is not available.

[VaHam]

VaHam wrote

If this is correct then the same trick which another user here came up with to deal with impedance issues stemming from MJ was to load the line slightly by placing a 1K ohm resistor across the red and green wires between your MJ and your phone system.

I bridged the red and green wires w/1K ohm resistance. Now my Ans machine indicates that there is an extension in use. I cannot call MJ at all now, as I get a msg from MJ that MJ customer is not available.

Hi Jerry sorry I was off doing other things. Yes you had it right it was the same trick described else where for dealing with CID problems that I was suggesting you try. And yes placing it across means from the red wire to the green wire.

But I see the problem. I am sorry Jerry I apologize I meant to say 100K and not 1K. That is what is causing the current behavior.

[VaHam]

VaHam wrote

It is a bit quirky but if you first use the vmail button or call your own number from your MJ you can get into the mailbox options and record your own greeting there.

I just went and tested this to make sure it was still working and found I had to first empty my mail box completely and then call back into my voice mail. Once you do that there will be a 0(zero) option to access "mailbox" options and once you've gone there option 4 allows you to record your own greeting. You also have a busy greeting and your name which you can record for yourself if you wish.

Sorry. I'm too new to be able to follow these simple instructions and cannot get t the zero option you describe. Can someone give me some further hints?

Ok is your voice mailbox empty? If not delete all messages.

Hang up

Call back into your voice mail and tell me what options are offered for you to select from. They should be 2,3,0,*and#

Select 0 and more options will be offered.

Select option 4 to record your temporary greeting.

[JerryI]

Problem has been resolved. Thanks for your help.

[VaHam]

Problem has been resolved. Thanks for your help.

What did you do to fix it?

Did you ever get your MJ greeting recorded?

[JerryI]

I finally learned that you hit the * key before the beep instead of waiting for the beep. It was then straightforward to replace the greeting message.

Thanks for your help.

[VaHam]

I finally learned that you hit the * key before the beep instead of waiting for the beep. It was then straightforward to replace the greeting message.

Thanks for your help.

Your welcome. Glad you got it going! I guess now that it is working you don't need to work further on the digital answering issue.

I was curious to see if that hunch worked; since none of mine exhibit that problem and if the fix had worked that may have helped others. Again sorry about giving you the wrong value to try at first!

[JerryI]

OK, I just now read your correction about 100K ohms. I will give that a try, as I would very much like to use my own answering machine.

[JerryI]

VaHam said "I was curious to see if that hunch worked; since none of mine exhibit that problem and if the fix had worked that may have helped others".

I tested the 100K resistor suggestion and failed to make the answering machine functional. Furthermore, I have concluded that MJ's overall voice quality and unreliability make it unsuitable as a replacement for my POTS line.

[JerryI]

VaHam said "I was curious to see if that hunch worked; since none of mine exhibit that problem and if the fix had worked that may have helped others".

I tested the 100K resistor suggestion and failed to make the answering machine functional. Furthermore, I have concluded that MJ's overall voice quality and unreliability make it unsuitable as a replacement for my POTS line.