Posted by Jessica Ward on 12/26/10 10:24pm
Msg #366057

Does anyone fax with a cable telephone line?

Just one moment to rant--I CANNOT believe that faxing is still considered viable technology, and I'm constantly surprised at how many people rely on it. UGH!

That said, I've been using a ten-year-old plain paper fax for ages until I recently pulled out the toner to replace it and threw it out before ordering a new one--only a week later I realized I'd also thrown out the clips that hold the toner in place (@#)%)%*#@!!!!).

I bought a used but more modern fax and couldn't get it in the working order I wanted (scanner function had been damaged) and finally broke down and bought a big fancy multifunction machine which is really nice.

However, one thing I've never been able to understand is how to make it work with my cable telephone line. Does anyone know if this can be done? I've tried "noise filters" and splitters, but can only get it to work if I unplug all telephones and plug in the fax, and then go through the reverse process to get the phone system online. It won't work with splitters or any other routing.

I can scan and fax from PC, but (mysteriously IMHO) it requires telephone modem to fax---not wifi or ethernet connection.

The new machine is an HP 8500 and serves as business (outgoing) fax and scanner, but household/family color printer as my color laser printer is just too much machine for the kids' use.

I typically consider myself pretty tech savvy, but I really have never made peace with the Fax machine. Computers, networks whatever all work ok with me, but I've never found a fax that I liked or could get to reliably work. I hate the idea of getting a second (land) phone line (not to mention the associated long distance charges) just to make the fax work.

Would love to hear from any others who've had experience with getting faxes to work on cable lines.

Reply by PAW on 12/27/10 7:11am
Msg #366066

Not sure I completely understand your dilemma. But, I use cable telephone lines (split from cable by MTA - Modem/Telephone Adapter - supplied by the cable company) for both home and office. The office line also doubles as a fax line since all incoming faxes go to an efax service. I have a multi-function printer (HP LJ 3330) connected to the phone line as well as a fax modem on the PC also connected to the phone line.

In order to properly connect fax machines, they should be the first device in series with the telephone. That is, connect the MTA line out to the fax/printer line in. Then connect the fax/printer line out to the telephone(s). That way, the fax machine can control the phone line, inhibiting outgoing calls from the telephones from interrupting the outbound fax.

Be sure to follow the directions supplied with the fax/printer carefully and accurately, especially if you have call waiting and an answering machine on the same line.

Reply by Jessica Ward on 12/27/10 9:47am
Msg #366075

Thanks! this helps--I think that my problem was the order that I have the fax machine in the hookup. I didn't realize this would make a difference.

I keep being told that cable phone lines and faxes don't get along, but since I used fax machines on our cable line for years--I'm not believing that. ;-)

Thanks again--I printed your message and will start unplugging and replugging items in the order you proscribed.

Reply by PAW on 12/27/10 2:06pm
Msg #366108

I too have been using fax machines and pc fax modems with cable service. The MTA should have 5 connections on the back:

WAN - Wide Area Network connection to cable provider.

LAN - Local Area Network connection to PC, router, or other "ethernet" enabled device. (Most home networking systems will have a router connected to the LAN and the PC and other devices connected to the router.)

Tel1 - Primary telephone line. This is connected to your phone or, most likely, connected to your home telephone wiring. (Supports TIP/RING connected to red and green on a 4 wire telephone line.)

Tel2 - Second telephone line. This is connected to another phone or, most likely, connected to your home telephone wiring. (Supports TIP/RING connected to black and yellow on a 4 wire telephone line.)

12vdc - 12 Volt DC power in from a transformer plugged into the house outlet.

Reply by Mary Ellen Elmore on 12/30/10 1:40pm
Msg #366454

I have used a dedicated cable phone line for faxing in the past. At the moment I have 2 phone lines with Vonage and one is on my fax the other is to my phone.

Reply by Mark/SanJose on 12/28/10 2:55am
Msg #366156

Yes Re: Does anyone fax with a cable telephone line?

We have a dedicated cable telephone line for our fax (line 2). No Problem. We use it intensely.