Telephone Voltages-Landline & Cassette Answering Machine Issue
Hi Guys. I tried posting a new thread minutes ago, but I can't see it nor is it in my list.. Admin my apologies if it's here but lost?
I have a landline telco service- One jack, One phone (no REN issues, no FAX etc just one telephone on one jack)
It is not VoIP or a bundled cable TV plan, it is a sole telephone service through CenturyLink copper line phone
It is an oldies 1980s, with the cool loud oldies vintage '80s ringer (not the dual "alarm bells" but still old)
I am in a multi-dwelling unit/Condo, if that matters regarding the voltages from the NID etc
Issue: Answering machines of the analogue cassette variety act strangely on this line, as if they are not getting enough power(?) or some sort of "signal" sent from the Telco that activate "whatever it is" that engages the ans machine to pick up and record messages. Now, digital answering machines work BETTER, but not perfectly! No, I do not wish to subscribe to my telco's offering of 8USD per month(!) Voice Mail plan.
Through a system of trial and error, and *not* using a meter but just trying several ans. machines, I have determined tentatively it is somehow in the system of the telco that prevents the machine(s) from acting normally: the ringer does stop after the programmed "fourth ring pickup" but, the line either hangs up, or hangs up prematurely, or does not somehow "hear" the callers voice. When I tried using the digital machine, it DID do the same thing, but less of it- many times the voice was just garbled. To me, this says it is not getting enough voltage? I am not an electrician nor pretend to be- just a curious tinkerer and bored housewife- who is interested in this mystery.
Now, is it a system wide new thing where Telco's do not use the same voltages as before? Is this a lack of PROPER voltage I SHOULD be having, that I can check, and trouble shoot myself? Is it the Telco using some sort of new lines that are on digital as opposed to analog (sorry if this sounds dumb- I'm not an telecom engineer obviously) that makes it so analog eqpt can't communicate the way they did before?
whether I cannot use a cassette recorder any more is fine, whatever the answer is! I do not care, I only want to know, or be able to find out, what exactly causes this issue in the first place.
Any tips tricks advice is appreciated-
thank you very much in advance- Kay.