Topic: Magic Jack

[CMDL_GUY]

Do you have a magic jack?

I thought I would get one to experiment with.  Not worth much in my opinion.   I tried it on a Samsung KSU which worked okay for incoming and outgoing calls. The acid test was to see if I could make a disconnect when voicemail answered. Not going to happen!  I have been successful with using Verizon's "home phone connect" device.  It was tricky but I got it to work with the voicemail.  I was thinking about renewing the Magic Jack and use it for outgoing calls only which would keep my other line free.  What I found out while calling my cell phone as a test was horrible!  My cell phone service listed my magic jack number as potential spam! What a bunch of crap!
      

[EV607797]

I have three of them currently in service.  One is for a fax line at my dad's house and it has worked very well for about three years so far.  I also have had one at my own for the same purpose.  I use the third one for a second line at home.  My telco line (line 1) has call forward-busy set to send the second call to my Magic Jack number.  That also works well.

Yes, you're correct about the disconnect supervision.  For the two fax lines, that really doesn't matter since the machines hang up on their own.  This did get to be an issue wirh my home lines. I had to remove auto attendant from that line because I'd come home every day to it ringing off the hook.  I could program the system to drop those calls, but i took the path of least resistance.  I was holding out in hopes that they'd add this feature, but I think that was a waste of time.  When I inquire about it, I get the 'deer in the headlights' response.

[MooreTel]

Had one a couple years ago, specifically for a fax line.  Wouldn't work at all properly.  Threw it out as they're "Not recopmmended for fax applications."

[NTlayoff]

I had one for awhile - long time ago.  I used it to make long distance calls for free.
Yes, no disconnect supervision.
The one thing that I HATE about Magic Jack was their policy of "You cannot call ANY Conf Bridge".
That is because they have a Conf Bridge and will not allow you to call any OTHER bridge.
But the problem was, They would block a phone number because they "THOUGHT" it might be
a conf bridge number.  They would never verify it was.
So some numbers that I called would never go through because they were "similar" to a conf
bridge number that they "THINK" was a bridge.
I would call the support line.  IF I got anyone and told them it was NOT, they didn't care.
So I finally threw it out and cancelled my service.

[EV607797]

As many of you know, I jumped on the MJ bandwagon about ten years ago.  Yes, the original silver ones were terrible.  I had to do all kinds of reverse engineering to just get it to pass caller ID to system phones. Even connecting to inside wiring didn't pass it. Yes, it would work on an SLT connected directly to it, but as for extending it more than the length of a typical line cord, it was a no-go.  That was then...

The original silver ones also put a tremendous current draw on USB ports.  I lost two USB ports on my laptop as a result.  The newer versions that they are selling now are MUCH better, even for fax use.  They come with their own power cube and a jack for a LAN cord connection so that you're not depending upon the more sensitive ports on your laptop.  POE is not supported on the LAN port though, although I've never tested it. Highly recommended now.  For about $45 per year including the device, you really can't go wrong, especially for voice use.

[CMDL_GUY]

Okay,,,,,,back to the MagicJack!

I had to purchase a new MagicJack, I let the old one expire.  Also, they are now trying to collect E911 fees!

I plan to take voltage readings on this unit while it's idle, busy, and locked up after a far end disconnect. I plan to design/build  a circuit which will provide positive disconnect so this thing can be used on a key system.

More to follow!