Incoming Audio Breaks Up

[Joe B]

I'm using a Linksys PAP2 and the audio breaks up on incoming calls. It is sporatic and not constand. Any suggestions? I didn't have this problem with only one phone line registered with FPL but ever since I registered the 2nd line the problem started.

[FONGO_steve]

What router are you using?
Are you using any other bandwidth at the time like downloading, software updates, etc?

Are both lines on separate ports?
What model of ATA?

[Joe B]

The router is Linksys Voice Optimized WRT54G, ata adapter is Linksys PAP2T, nothing has changed except I enable the 2nd phone line when I purchased a new configuration file to use as my daughters phone.
As for using more bandwidth I would say no, the computer is not always on.
Everything worked fine until I added the second phone.

[laurent]

Is the audio breaking up problem happening on your first line, your second line, or both?
When you setup the second line in your ATA, did you configure it to use a different SIP Port than the first line uses?

[OverDrive]

The router is Linksys Voice Optimized WRT54G, ata adapter is Linksys PAP2T, nothing has changed except I enable the 2nd phone line when I purchased a new configuration file to use as my daughters phone.
As for using more bandwidth I would say no, the computer is not always on.
Everything worked fine until I added the second phone.

1st thing to try is (if you can) eliminate the router from the equation. This only will work if you have cable as your medium for internet, or DSL with a Modem-Router combination.

I know you say voice optimized, but the default Linksys firmware is no where near as optimized as DD-WRT or Tomato firmware. They are much better than default firmware in all regards. My suggestion is to flash DD-WRT or Tomato on your router and that should fix it.

[Joe B]

Where can I can DD-WRT or Tomato firmware and is it easy to flash.

[Joe B]

Can't use Tomato Firmware, not compatible with WRT54G version 5. Should I try the other DD-WRT.

[OverDrive]

Can't use Tomato Firmware, not compatible with WRT54G version 5. Should I try the other DD-WRT.

DD-WRT micro version is supported. use the prep, then the killer, then TFTP the micro generic to the router. (you need to set a static ip on your client machine before you do this or you wont be able to TFTP the firmware to the router)

There are guides how to do it, but it's not too difficult.

http://dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database

type in wrt54g

select version 5.0 (or 5.1 whichever you have)

there is the files you'll need.

[Joe B]

Thanks for all the help, I might try and upgrade the firmware. I don't find the instructions to clear but will print them out. Thanks again.

[OverDrive]

Thanks for all the help, I might try and upgrade the firmware. I don't find the instructions to clear but will print them out. Thanks again.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Li ... .1_%26_6.0

There's the direct instructions (quick google search)

[Joe B]

I purchased a used Linksys Router Ver 2.0 with DD-wrt loaded and the service of the free phoneline is no better. Incoming and outgoing audio continues to break up. Does anyone else have this problem or is it just me? Does anyone have any solution or any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[laurent]

Having the right firmware is only the first step. You need to set some traffic prioritization so that your router makes sure all VoIP data packets are routed no matter what. This is generally referred to as QoS (quality of service).

[Joe B]

Having the right firmware is only the first step. You need to set some traffic prioritization so that your router makes sure all VoIP data packets are routed no matter what. This is generally referred to as QoS (quality of service).

Thank you for the advice now the hard part, How do I go about setting traffic prioritzation? I'm pretty good with computers but this is over my head right now, I am learning though. Can you direct me to where I may find this information. Thanks in advance.

[laurent]

I recommend reading this article first: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Quality_of_Service

[beverly]

This also happening to my connection but not MJ..
The wife also complained about it.. She say's its been happening ever since we got it.. I say for the last two days.
Not downloading anything.
Nothing has changed.


The break up happen both ways. for .5 sec. every 2 - 10 sec. Doesn't matter who called who..


anyone else going through this?

[beverly]

Just did the test... connected the ATA directly to the modem, same thing happens... last time i remember this happening, the Olympic games were going on and bandwidth was going for shit. now it's Hockey Night in Canada. network remapping. been also experiencing lower bandwidth using newsgroups. to fill the gap I end up opening more connection to the server to fix this issue.. too bad I can't open more connection for VOIP... (use 5 or 10 connections for one line)

[tbrummell]

What part of Ottawa? I'm in the Copeland Park area (Baseline & Clyde) and my node has been awesome. Sounds like Rogers has too many subscribers on your node. I can hold 10Mbps down from usenet all day long, and with QoS on my router still make phone calls with no choppyness.

[beverly]

What part of Ottawa? I'm in the Copeland Park area (Baseline & Clyde) and my node has been awesome. Sounds like Rogers has too many subscribers on your node. I can hold 10Mbps down from usenet all day long, and with QoS on my router still make phone calls with no choppyness.

Elmvale Area.
I Use to hold 10 down from AstraWeb with 6 connections (US) easy but now I have to open up 4 more up (EU) to get the full 10Mbps.
My node stretch's from Russel/Walkley to St. Laurent/Donald St, that I know of .

[laurent]

too bad I can't open more connection for VOIP... (use 5 or 10 connections for one line)

If you want your conversations to come in random order, then yes. The reason why running multiple connections help in newsgroups is because the order at which the data arrive doesn't matter, your client will reassemble everything in the end. So even if one small packet gets delayed on its way here, the rest still pushes through.

With voice, you want all the packets to come in a single line, one by one, in original order, at a steady rate with no gap in between. It's actually much more difficult to do this reliably (even though very very small bandwidth is used) then cramming large amounts of data through the pipe.

Most ISPs can do "download speed" just fine. It's when you need them to handle voice calls that you realize their limitation, and the reason why net neutrality is important.

[Joe B]

I have yet to get a good clear phone call with freephoneline. I've tried just about everything, last night I plugged the ATA into the cable modem and still the voice breaks up. Could it be the Linksys PAP2T adapter? Is there anyway of testing the adapter to see if it is functioning properly?

[laurent]

You know, there's another thread right here http://forum.freephoneline.ca/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1887 about several people experiencing audio problems. Almost all of them have the PAP2T device, but some other situations were discussed as well. It's an ongoing issue, we have yet to find out the cause.

At the top of this thread, you mention the problem only appeared when you enabled a 2nd phone line account. Is this still the case now?

[Joe B]

Thanks Laurent. I still have the issue, I have disabled the second line and the problem persist. I have since enabled line 2. I will follow the other thread. Thanks again.