[Asterisk-Users] An anniversary and a lament for FXOs

[mgraves at mstvp.com]

This week marks one year since I first setup an Asterisk server in the
hopes of transitioning my home office to a total VoIP system. The
process has been an incredible learning experience. I've tried numerous
IP hard phones, eventually settling upon the Polycom IP600 as my
choice. I've also used multiple ATAs including all the Sipura products.
Using Asterisk has been a challenge, a thrill and (when its working) a
joy. However, the one thing that I am not satisfied with is the
performance of the FXO interfaces that bring in my PSTN lines.

I've tried X100p cards but found them horribly unreliable. I presently
use Sipura SPA-3000s but they're only marginally better. How is it that
my Panasonic 4 line SOHO phone system (KX-TG4000B) can have four
stable, reliable FXOs with no echo at all in a device with a total cost
of <$500? It seems to me that there ought to be hardware available that
behaves just as well, but bridges the PSTN to the SIP/IAX domain?

I've read a lot on the list about how difficult designing FXOs can be,
but that flies in the face of the fact that every small multi-line
phone system has them...and without expection those behave better than
the devices I've been able to try with Asterisk. The Sipura SPA-3000
has several settings to adjust for line impedance and
inductive/capacitive line loading....lots of settings, but it provides
nowhere near the basic performance of one of the lines on the Panasonic
KSU. It's simply mind boggling.

So, while I've posted with respect to FXOs previously, I must ask
again....what FXO interface device can anyone recommend from real
experience?

Michael

P.S.  -  I even investigated switching my lines to ISDN to get around
the need for FXOs, but SBC won't do it where I live.
--
Michael Graves                           mgraves at pixelpower.com
Sr. Product Specialist                          www.pixelpower.com
Pixel Power Inc.                                 mgraves at mstvp.com

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