On Line Warning Phone Circuit

I have a multiple line phone system. I use a head set. People start
talking to me when I'm on the phone, when because they don't know if IM
on the phone or not. Can someone point me to a simple circuit that I
can make that would plug into the wall RJ connector and then plug my
phone into to detect when I'm on the phone and light an LED to indicate
I'm on the phone.

I have build a few phone circuits before. But this phone is not a
regular house phone, but rather a multi line "Office" phone where I'm
assuming its digital or something.

regards

steve wrote:
> I have a multiple line phone system. I use a head set. People start
> talking to me when I'm on the phone, when because they don't know if IM
> on the phone or not. Can someone point me to a simple circuit that I
> can make that would plug into the wall RJ connector and then plug my
> phone into to detect when I'm on the phone and light an LED to indicate
> I'm on the phone.
>
> I have build a few phone circuits before. But this phone is not a
> regular house phone, but rather a multi line "Office" phone where I'm
> assuming its digital or something.
>
> regards

Hi, Steve. You should start out by reading the phone system manuals,
and also by getting in touch with the sales rep for the system. If
you've got a multi-line system,

1) Home brew mods will void any warranty or service contract your
company has on the system, and

2) I'll bet the device you want is available as an accessory, or as a
different phone.

Good luck
Chris

Chris wrote:
> steve wrote:
> > I have a multiple line phone system. I use a head set. People start
> > talking to me when I'm on the phone, when because they don't know if IM
> > on the phone or not. Can someone point me to a simple circuit that I
> > can make that would plug into the wall RJ connector and then plug my
> > phone into to detect when I'm on the phone and light an LED to indicate
> > I'm on the phone.
> >
> > I have build a few phone circuits before. But this phone is not a
> > regular house phone, but rather a multi line "Office" phone where I'm
> > assuming its digital or something.
> >
> > regards
>
> Hi, Steve. You should start out by reading the phone system manuals,
> and also by getting in touch with the sales rep for the system. If
> you've got a multi-line system,
>
> 1) Home brew mods will void any warranty or service contract your
> company has on the system, and
>
> 2) I'll bet the device you want is available as an accessory, or as a
> different phone.
>
> Good luck
> Chris

Well the service contract is long gone. Unfortunately the manual
doesn't say much about this. Yes I suppose there is something you
could buy. But Being a bit of a hobbyist I was looking forward to
building something. Unfortunately, I suppose there are no general
diagrams for this kind of thing.

Regards

On 15 Apr 2006 05:10:04 -0700, "steve" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

=>I have a multiple line phone system....

snipped

Steve--take a look at http://www.discovercircuits.com/T/telephone.htm
where I'm sure you'll find something of interest!

Cheers--
Terry--WB4FXD
Edenton, NC

Thanks Terry for your help.

I'm not advanced enough to know however which one would work on a
digital line. I don't believe business phones use the same high
voltages that a normal house phone uses? Interesting enough in my
research I have found many people asking this same question and wanting
a solution but no one with a solution. Can anyone point to ones that
might work. Again I'm looking for something simple. Some of them look
awfully complex. All I want is a light or something saying that someone
is on the phone. right now our phones just have an liquid crystal
little screen that just point to the line in use. This is impossible to
see over someones shoulder or sitting accross the room.

Alternatively I was thinking of putting some sort of Induction device
on the hand piece that would detect a small current and then light a
light. However I have not seen any schematics for this.

Regards

steve wrote:
>
> Thanks Terry for your help.
>
> I'm not advanced enough to know however which one would work on a
> digital line. I don't believe business phones use the same high
> voltages that a normal house phone uses? Interesting enough in my
> research I have found many people asking this same question and wanting
> a solution but no one with a solution. Can anyone point to ones that
> might work. Again I'm looking for something simple. Some of them look
> awfully complex. All I want is a light or something saying that someone
> is on the phone. right now our phones just have an liquid crystal
> little screen that just point to the line in use. This is impossible to
> see over someones shoulder or sitting accross the room.
>
> Alternatively I was thinking of putting some sort of Induction device
> on the hand piece that would detect a small current and then light a
> light. However I have not seen any schematics for this.
>
> Regards

The newer business phones that I've worked with use two pairs, one for
voice, and the other for data. Does the phone have a station lamp on it
to show wich phones are in use? If it does, mount a phototransistor or
other photo detector over it and use it to switch your "Can't you see
that I'm busy, you idiot? Go away!" sign. ;-)
--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

Michael,

That is a great Idea, And I actually did think of it. Unfortunetely it
doesn have an idiot light. It just has an lcd strip and it just points
to the line that is being used. Its prety dim.

Any other thoughts ? Anyone.

Regards

steve wrote:
>
> Michael,
>
> That is a great Idea, And I actually did think of it. Unfortunetely it
> doesn have an idiot light. It just has an lcd strip and it just points
> to the line that is being used. Its prety dim.
>
> Any other thoughts ? Anyone.
>
> Regards


Do you have the programming manual for the phone system? Some have
interesting options that can be added to the system and programmed for
interesting functions.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

Yes I know what you mean. Often they can do more than anyone can
imagine, or ever get used. But alas there is nothing there to really
help in my situation.

Thanks.

steve wrote:
>
> Yes I know what you mean. Often they can do more than anyone can
> imagine, or ever get used. But alas there is nothing there to really
> help in my situation.
>
> Thanks.


Sounds like it s time for a new phone system. Where is an old 1A2
system when you need it?


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida