AboutSpencer Holcombe Expertise I have been in the telecommunications arena for several years. I've worked in traffic,installation,repair,customer service,fraud,national and major accounts. I Started with Pacific Telephone,went to American Bell, AT&T Information Systems, AT&T Communications, Pacific Bell-SBC - AT&T. I can answer most questions of a service or equipment nature-excluding cellular. From jacks, wiring, phones, to custom calling services, local to long distance.
Experience Bell System and post divesture work for AT&T and Local operating companies. Service rep-to Fraud desk.
Organizations Telephone Pioneers of America
Publications PTM mag. Connections, Update, and other company publications. Also have expert status at AskME.com
Question Could I possibly have your opinion on what might be the issue with my cordless phone? I have a Radio Shack 2.4ghz digital cordless with 2 handsets with a seperate charging base for the 2nd handset. I have been having problem for probably the last 8months. I lose the dial tone and when the phone co. checks the line it acts as if the phone is off the hook and if someone trys to call, they get a busy signal. I have had the phone co. (SBC) out here on several occasions and they tell me it is not the phone line it is the phone itself. It has been suggested it could be the 'call waiting' feature or the answering machine function and the last tech that was here said he has the same problem with the 'dual' handset phones. I have to unplug the phone from the phone jack in order to even use another phone at another jack. It does not do it all the time, just randomly. It will work fine all day or all week, then all of a sudden it will start acting up. I could understand it being the phone if it did it all the time. Anyone else ever have this problem? I also have a security alarm system and DSL but have been told it is nothing to do with either. Thanks
Answer Kathy,
I can only think of two things that might be causing the problem- 1. make sure you are turning the phone "off" before you set it down, or into it's charging base. 2 make sure the "base" or charging unit is not connected to a power outlet that also has a computer, alarm, or other electronic device such as a stereo, or similar device using it. SOME units except interference (by F.C.C. rule) from the other devices, and can react in the mannor you suggest, ie: kepping the line open and preventing you from making or recieving calls. If this is the case the solution is to move the base unit or the device causing the problem to another location, or to a different power outlet, and or telephone jack.
Spencer
