Interference problems: Wireless router and cordless phone

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petem289

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#52675 5-Dec-2009 11:42

I am sure the answer to my issue is somewhere within this forum but I don't know where to start.

Since switching to wireless broadband with a D-link router, we started to experience interference on our ageing Uniden cordless-answerphone. I tried new filters bought from Dick Smith, without success.

It got so bad, we couldn't hear quieter family members without asking them to shout. The phone is 8m away from the router and at a lower level in the house. We also have standard Sky, with splitters and filters and never had any issue related to that.

Last week, I splashed out and bought a Uniden 5.8gHz cordless set -- base unit plus extra handset, and answerphone. I had been told that moving away from the wireless frequency would solve the problem. It didn't!

Telecom weren't happy with me using a D-Link modem purchased from an outside source and supplied a Thomson, with two new filters. It hasn't helped at all. We are no further ahead than I was with my 12-year-old Uniden and old router. That's $400 up the swanny -- so far and Telecom can't suggest anything else.

I CAN turn the modem off every time the phone rings, but don't want to.

Please, in the most non-technical terms possible, is there anything else I can try? I am in Nelson and happy to get a tech in, if I can be assured of a clean phone line.

Thanks, Pete

Spyware

3261 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#279516 5-Dec-2009 11:48

So you have determined that the interference is NOT wireless but on the phone line. Filters should be on phones and the not on the modem/router. Some people mistakenly use double adapters and have their phones left unfiltered with the filter on the adsl side. rj11 connection on filter is actually wired straight through, i.e., unfiltered, and merely used as an adapter.

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petem289

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#279518 5-Dec-2009 11:54

Hi ... both the phone line and router have new filters installed. A standard (non-cordless) phone works in the jack just fine so there's some issue between the cordless and the wireless broadband that goes beyond changing frequencies. I'll admit to being out of my depth, but are you saying I should take the filter off the modem's line? Thanks.

rscole86

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#279540 5-Dec-2009 13:02

Yes, do not filter the modem. If you have both a phone and modem on the same jack, then you may use a filter. But it is best not to use one if you do not have to.

cyril7

8950 posts

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#279705 6-Dec-2009 11:07

Just one other test if you could, go into the router and turn off the wireless part of the router, does the noise stop. I would be very surprised if its a wireless related interference if you have changed to a 5.8GHz unit, but the above test should identify if the interference is wireless or DSL based.

The other test is does the interference go away if you disconnect the line from the router.

Cyril

petem289

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#279785 6-Dec-2009 19:55

I guess I need a new jackplug on the routerm because when I disconnected the filter (with its two holes in the back) I had nowhere to plug in the ADSL line :-)

Yes, disconnecting the line from the router makes for a great phone line (and a stroppy 13-year-old trying to update his Facebook page).

rscole86

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#279796 6-Dec-2009 20:13

So your adsl modem has got the same plug on both ends? You need to replace it with a rj12-BT cable.

Like this here

nitrotech

1285 posts

Uber Geek

#279800 6-Dec-2009 20:35

You could always pay the extra for the 'full wiring' which means a splitter is installed before the first jackpoint and a special ADSL only jackpoint is installed for the router, then there is no need for filters and I would say by what you've described above could very well fix the problem.

From memory it's about $199 to get the full wiring option.

petem289

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#279802 6-Dec-2009 20:40

Do Telecom's crowd do that? All the new shiny phones and modems are useless if I can't hear who's calling me so I am willing to give most things a go.

Many thanks.

Bung

5433 posts

Uber Geek

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#279806 6-Dec-2009 21:08

Similar post here

For completeness did you try cyril's suggestion of switching off the wireless section of the router?

Ragnor

8085 posts

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#279848 7-Dec-2009 00:17

Full wiring isolates one jack point for the DSL line, the modem should be hooked up to that jack point and nothing else should be plugged into it.

tardtasticx

3050 posts

Uber Geek

#279854 7-Dec-2009 01:18

Give Telecom a ring and see if you can get it free. They did it for us when our speeds wouldnt go over 50 when we used to get 200 on adsl 1. speeds went up to around 300 after that which was cool. and the phone line was a lot clearer.

petem289

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#283331 17-Dec-2009 08:59

It seems a splitter is the only solution. It $200 and it is my cost, not Telecom's but, if the outcome is a satisfactory service, then I can live with that.

Many thanks for your suggestions and advice.

Pete