SPECIAL INFORMATION
- The default password for the Phonelabs Bluetooth Module is "3774". The maximum effective range of the original Bluetooth Module BT01 is 30 ft and can be less depending on the levels of competing radio frequency interference. Bluetooth devices transmit and receive at approximately 1 milliwatt in the 2.4Ghz frequency spectrum. There can be interference issues with using any Bluetooth device in the same area as 2.4Ghz cordless phones, hybrid 5.8 Ghz cordless phones, and WiFi 802.11b/g/n, which also operates on the 2.4Ghz frequency, but at much higher (400 milliwatts or higher) power. For best results when using other 2.4Ghz devices, keep those devices as far away as possible from the Dock-N-Talk equipment and cell phone when you are using the Bluetooth module. If you are still having interference issues, try resetting the operating channel on your WiFi router to channel 10 or 11 and your cordless phones to the highest channel available. (Bluetooth operates on channel 1 or 2.) See your wireless router and cordless phone owner's manuals for instructions on resetting the operating channels.
Phone Labs has recently been delivering a new Bluetooth Module, the BT03, which provides the
latest Class 1 Bluetooth 2.0 advanced features and extended range (Class 1) of 300' or more. It is supported by all Phonelabs equipment with firmware versions 1.XX and above. The maximum effective range of the early Bluetooth Module BT01 was 30 ft and for the BT03 is 300 ft or more but can be less depending on the levels of competing radio frequency interference and the Bluetooth software in the connecting cell phone.
Important new features of the latest Bluetooth Module (BT03) allows the user to pair up to 8 phones to the same Bluetooth Module and is compatible with new voice compression technology that is coming out in 2010. However, only one cell phone at a time can be actively connected to the Bluetooth Module. The new Bluetooth module can be identified by the model number of BT03 on the back label.
Former 0.XX firmware versions of Phonelabs equipment are not compatible with the new BT03 Bluetooth Module. However, all the prior versions of the Bluetooth Modules (BT01) will continue to be compatible with the newest Phonelabs equipment firmware versions. If you own one of the older 0.XX firmware versions of Phonelabs equipment and you want to use the new BT03 Bluetooth Module, you will need to send your device to Phonelabs for a firmware upgrade. The cost for this upgrade is $25 which also covers return shipping costs back to you. Contact Phonelabs directly for information on returning your device for the firmware upgrade.
NOTE: The Nextel Push-To-Talk feature doesn't work with the Bluetooth module. PTT feature is only supported with a cable connection.
If you are planning to use the Dock-N-Talk instead of a conventional telephone land-line with non-cellular commercial equipment (ie: irrigation pivots, pumps, meters, alarm systems, PBX, etc.) please be aware that CDMA carriers (Verizon, Sprint, Altell, Cellular One) do not pass DTMF tones (touch-tones) clearly through their networks. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you use a GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile) or iDEN (Nextel) carrier in order to interface with your commercial equipment as GSM and iDEN transmission technology does not garble DTMF tones.
Lindsay Manufacturing Co., the manufacturer of Zimmatic center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems, upgraded their computer speech boards in 2006 to clear up the distorted DTMF tones sent through a CDMA network. You can use a CDMA carrier with the latest Zimmatic computer speech board from Lindsay. If your speech board is older than 2006, you must upgrade to this new speech board to use a CDMA carrier. Contact your local Zimmatic dealer for more information and pricing.
If you are wanting to use the Dock-N-Talk with more than 5 or 6 wired phones, I can supply you with a "Ring Booster" that will increase the 3 REN (Ringer Equivalency Number) of the Dock-N-Talk to 15 REN allowing the your unit to ring up to 15 phones.
Phonelabs interface equipment does not boost cellular signals. Voice quality and proper operation of your Phonelabs interface equipment is dependent on the signal quality of your cell phone reaching the nearest cell site. Many inside locations may not require an external antenna for your cell phone to work properly. If your cell phone works well at the location where the Phonelabs interface equipment will be placed (3 or 4 bars or upper 3/4 or higher on the phone's signal strength meter) then you don't need an external antenna. With marginal signal strength at the planned location ( 2 bars or middle of the meter) you should purchase an external antenna for best performance. A low signal strength (1 bar or 1/4 or lower part of the meter) indicates the absolute need for an external antenna and possibly a powered signal booster or inside repeater. You should also try different indoor locations to see if any of those locations improves the cell phone's signal strength before deciding on purchasing an external antenna. I supply a variety of antenna connectors, adapters, external antennas (including Yagi's), the new Freedom Universal Booster antenna from Phonelabs, low-loss cables, and signal boosters depending on your needs and type of cellular service.
Visit the FAQ pages (listed below) on Phonelabs web site if you have addtional questions.
Phonelabs Pre-sale Dock-N-Talk FAQ page
Phonelabs Post-sale Dock-N-Talk FAQ page
Phonelabs Enterprise Phone FAQ page
Phonelabs Unity Phone FAQ page
Purchasing Phonelabs equipment from us guarantees you permanent "no charge" after sale tech support. If you purchase Phonelabs equipment from another source, we charge $5 per call for tech support.
Doug Foote - D & J Enterprises
DETAILED TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
Dock-N-Talk | Enterprise Phone | Unity Phone
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