Built-in answering machine does not record messages

[GuiRen]

I recently setup FPL and it works very well,except for one detail. I would like to keep using the answering machine built in my Panasonic phone. When I receive a call, my phone does play the greeting message. However, 90% of the time the caller is unable to leave a message. The message that gets recorded is just a series of beeps. I then need to look at the call log to know who called.

I am pretty sure my phone is correctly set up (and it does work from time to time). Is there a setting that I should change on the ATA to fix this problem? I followed the latest instructions for the OBI200 from this forum.

Thanks a lot for any feedback.

[Liptonbrisk]

Have you tested by calling your FPL # yourself, reaching your answering machine, and leaving a voice message?

A series of beeps can be a fax machine calling you (fax advertising spam is not uncommon). If you let FPL's voicemail system answer the call, the incoming fax will automatically be converted to PDF file format. You can setup FPL's voicemail system to automatically email you the PDF at https://www.freephoneline.ca/voicemailSettings (voicemail to email), or you can log in at https://www.freephoneline.ca/mailbox to view the PDF file.

Fax machines that make outgoing calls wait for a response tone from the fax machine at the other end. If the fax response is not received (FPL's voicemail responds, properly, automatically), the fax machine starts sending alert tones (in an attempt to renegotiate, basically, a handshake between the devices), which can be a beep sound every few seconds, to ensure your fax machine is present. If it's not, then the originating fax machine finally gives up and ends the call.

If you are dealing with Fax spam, you may find this post useful: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/fido-wir ... #p25059721.