eviljafar
join:2007-04-10
Montreal, QC
| Which ATA to buy? I'm considering my options for an additional or replacement ATA. I have an SPA-3000 which is working fine but I will soon need to have two DIDs and therefore a device or devices than enable me to have two registered Voice Service Providers.
I could buy a single FXS ATA to use along side the SPA-3000 or I could buy a dual FXS ATA and retire the SPA-3000. I'm leaning toward buying a dual FXS ATA because it will reduce the clutter of having two ATAs and two AC adaptors. And it's not a lot more money to spend on a anyway.
I'm considering the Linksys PAP2T. I've done a bit of searching but I'm wondering if something better is available by mail order in Canada or at stores in Montreal.
Does anyone have any alternative suggestions for what I should buy?
Where are some good places to buy ATAs online or in Montreal?
Thanks, Jaf. | |
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 mazilo
From Mazilo
Premium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
| Re: Which ATA to buy? said by eviljafar  :I'm considering my options for an additional or replacement ATA. I have an SPA-3000 which is working fine but I will soon need to have two DIDs and therefore a device or devices than enable me to have two registered Voice Service Providers. The best ATA devices I have ever used is still a Linksys PAP2v1 with two FXS ports, YMMV.
I could buy a single FXS ATA to use along side the SPA-3000 or I could buy a dual FXS ATA and retire the SPA-3000. I'm leaning toward buying a dual FXS ATA because it will reduce the clutter of having two ATAs and two AC adaptors. And it's not a lot more money to spend on a anyway. Honestly, you just need to buy an ATA with dual FXS ports to use along with your SPA3K. However, if you want to retire your SPA3K, why not just do a trade-in with an ATA with dual FXS ports? If you live in Atlanta, GA (US), I sure don't mind to trade my completely unlocked Linksys PAP2v1 with your SPA3K (if that will be OK with you), instead of having it retired.
I'm considering the Linksys PAP2T. I've done a bit of searching but I'm wondering if something better is available by mail order in Canada or at stores in Montreal. AFAIC, you can't go wrong with a Linksys PAP2T-NA which comes with a dual FXS ports. Hardware wise, it is similar to a PAP2v1 (that has long been discontinued by Linksys), except a PAP2T carries more Flash/RAM capacities. | |
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meister_sd
Premium
join:2006-01-29
La Mesa, CA
| I guess it would depend on what you need.
The SPA3000 has a PSTN (FXO) port, which others don't have. If you don't need this, then Mazilo's suggestion is the best - the PAP2T. The main reason for this is that the Linksys PAP2/PAP2T is well documented and supported.
If you need the FXO port, then there are other options but much less support for those devices. | |
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 | eviljafar
join:2007-04-10
Montreal, QC
2 edits | Re: Which ATA to buy? said by meister_sd :If you need the FXO port, then there are other options but much less support for those devices. I don't need an FXO port. Sorry, I should have mentioned that.
I can buy the PAP2T for CAD$75 at a shop nearby. Can I do much better than that anywhere? | |
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| | mazilo
From Mazilo
Premium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
| Re: Which ATA to buy? said by eviljafar :I can buy the PAP2T for CAD$75 at a shop nearby. Can I do much better than that anywhere? I believe that's about the market price for a PAP2T-NA device. Mail order may be less expensive; however, you will need to consider for S/H charges (if any) that probably will add up to the cost. | |
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priller
join:2000-10-20
Gainesville, VA |
Do you really need dual FXS, or do you just need to register to two providers?
My Zoom 5801 allows me to register with 4 providers, to a single FXS. | |
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| eviljafar
join:2007-04-10
Montreal, QC
| Re: Which ATA to buy? I don't "need" dual FXS ports but I need to register two providers which my SPA-3000 won't let me do. So after I buy another ATA I will have at least two FXS ports, either in one unit or across two units.
And I have two nice new DECT cordless phones (ie two base stations) so I might as well use both of them.
I've gone off the PAP2T because I don't think it has the gateway feature like the SPA-3000 has, and it's a feature I use. Do any of the Zoom units have this feature?
A unit I have found with 2 FXS ports and the gateway feature is the Billion 6404VP but I can't find it in Canada/US anywhere. Does anyone know where I can buy one of these in Canada/US? Or does anyone know of any other unit that does the same thing?
Thanks, Jaf. | |
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redshift
Premium
join:2004-03-23
Beverly Hills, CA | Re: Which ATA to buy? As you know, Billion is not very popular outside of Australia. You aren't going to find it in futureshop/bestbuy (do they have those in Qc?) Anyway you may just have to order it from Oz and have it shipped to you. | |
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| eviljafar
join:2007-04-10
Montreal, QC
| The Zoom 5821 looks interesting. It has two FXS ports which I would like.
I called Zoom sales and asked if this unit will do what Sipura would call Gateway in the SPA3000/3102. The person I spoke to checked with some tech person and said the chipset allows it but the firmware causes the feature to be unreliable.
Can anyone shed any light on this? I'm not sure if this unit really has this feature as the sales person didn't seem to understand what I was asking about.
I also asked about registering more than two providers but again the sales person, while helpful, didn't give me the impression they understood what I was asking.
Thanks,
Jaf. | |
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redshift
Premium
join:2004-03-23
Beverly Hills, CA
| Re: Which ATA to buy? Your best bet would be to stick with the SPA 3102 so you can do PSTN to voip bridging. Assuming you have a 5 favourite number plan, or even an unlimited evening/weekend plan with your cell you can use the SPA 3102 to make calls using your cell to Australia. To register your other provider (assuming it won't work as a gateway) you could try Voxalot so you can have multiple registrations, or just add another ATA.
Unfortunately I have the same situation and have had to add the Pap2T along with the SPA 3102. | |
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