Wirelessly adding a phone line? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

tux · 2012-06-13, 12:39 AM

Hi,

I'm looking into adding a second phone jack in my home, where the only existing jack is in the basement. I don't want to do a full rewiring of the phone lines, just want to add a second phone jack. Not worried about 100% uptime, just need it to work. Example, not using it for home alarm, E911, emergency medical alert, etc.

Here's what I've considered so far:

I'm considering purchasing an all-in-one printer, and would like to be able to use the fax capabilities. As a result, VoIP isn't what I'm looking for. Although I have a cell phone, I don't have a data plan, and tethering would be impractical for this purpose. I'm familiar with "HomePlug" (home networking over powerlines), but even if this supports RJ11 phone jacks, I have 2 hydro meters outside and HomePlug wouldn't work across 2 independent power lines.

What I really want to know is, does a wireless solution exist for this problem? What I'm envisioning is a 2-piece solution: piece 1 connects to the phone line and power, and transmits a wireless signal to piece 2. Piece 2 connects to power, has an RJ11 jack, and transmits/receives wirelessly from piece 1. Convenient, cheap, and wireless, and gives you a phone jack where you need it without rewiring.

If this isn't possible, do you have any suggestions for extending my phone service?

whitbyterry · 2012-06-13, 05:47 AM

All phone jacks are capable of accessing line 1 & 2 I believe. A tech can come in and do it for a reasonable price. When I did it for my home office, I think it was $75. It was quick and now I have a reliable second line.

classicsat · 2012-06-13, 09:13 AM

I haven'y heard of them RF wireless, just power line.

A hard wired jack is your best bet.

hugh · 2012-06-13, 09:24 AM

tux, are you saying your going to get another phone line just for faxing? If yes then it might be cheaper to simply have an internet fax service. Then you could use a VoIP line for your voice phone line.

Wayne · 2012-06-13, 01:09 PM

I agree with Hugh - get some sort of internet fax service. Or get a cheap fax machine and put it by the existing jack in the basement. Do you really use the fax machine that often? When I need a "fax" these days I generally scan the doc and email it.

coolspot · 2012-06-13, 03:44 PM

Staples has a telephone line extender. Available at Home Depot too.

GE InstaJack at Staples http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/ca...p?webid=917493
RCA Wireless Phone Jack at Home Depot

You can see if the signal will bridge your two panels. If not, you can always return.

Otherwise you can setup a WiFi voip solution but I think it's more hassle than it's worth.

tux · 2012-06-14, 12:36 AM

@coolspot Thanks. That looks like almost exactly what I pictured, except that it uses the power line. I can always try the powerline networking (and return it, as you say), but I'm really not confident that it will work with my home wiring. If this is available in a DECT 6.0 version rather than HomePlug, I'll buy it in a heartbeat.

2012-06-13, 12:39 AM	#1
tux Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 757	Wirelessly adding a phone line? Hi, I'm looking into adding a second phone jack in my home, where the only existing jack is in the basement. I don't want to do a full rewiring of the phone lines, just want to add a second phone jack. Not worried about 100% uptime, just need it to work. Example, not using it for home alarm, E911, emergency medical alert, etc. Here's what I've considered so far: I'm considering purchasing an all-in-one printer, and would like to be able to use the fax capabilities. As a result, VoIP isn't what I'm looking for. Although I have a cell phone, I don't have a data plan, and tethering would be impractical for this purpose. I'm familiar with "HomePlug" (home networking over powerlines), but even if this supports RJ11 phone jacks, I have 2 hydro meters outside and HomePlug wouldn't work across 2 independent power lines. What I really want to know is, does a wireless solution exist for this problem? What I'm envisioning is a 2-piece solution: piece 1 connects to the phone line and power, and transmits a wireless signal to piece 2. Piece 2 connects to power, has an RJ11 jack, and transmits/receives wirelessly from piece 1. Convenient, cheap, and wireless, and gives you a phone jack where you need it without rewiring. If this isn't possible, do you have any suggestions for extending my phone service?

2012-06-13, 09:24 AM	#4
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	tux, are you saying your going to get another phone line just for faxing? If yes then it might be cheaper to simply have an internet fax service. Then you could use a VoIP line for your voice phone line. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

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2012-06-13, 05:47 AM	#2
whitbyterry Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Whitby, Ontario (Rogers Cable), LG 42PC3D, 8642HD Posts: 514	All phone jacks are capable of accessing line 1 & 2 I believe. A tech can come in and do it for a reasonable price. When I did it for my home office, I think it was $75. It was quick and now I have a reliable second line.

2012-06-13, 09:13 AM	#3
classicsat Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kincardine ON. Posts: 3,945	I haven'y heard of them RF wireless, just power line. A hard wired jack is your best bet.

2012-06-13, 01:09 PM	#5
Wayne Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Scarboro Posts: 5,568	I agree with Hugh - get some sort of internet fax service. Or get a cheap fax machine and put it by the existing jack in the basement. Do you really use the fax machine that often? When I need a "fax" these days I generally scan the doc and email it.

2012-06-13, 03:44 PM	#6
coolspot Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 37	Staples has a telephone line extender. Available at Home Depot too. GE InstaJack at Staples http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/ca...p?webid=917493 RCA Wireless Phone Jack at Home Depot You can see if the signal will bridge your two panels. If not, you can always return. Otherwise you can setup a WiFi voip solution but I think it's more hassle than it's worth.

2012-06-14, 12:36 AM	#7
tux Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 757	@coolspot Thanks. That looks like almost exactly what I pictured, except that it uses the power line. I can always try the powerline networking (and return it, as you say), but I'm really not confident that it will work with my home wiring. If this is available in a DECT 6.0 version rather than HomePlug, I'll buy it in a heartbeat.