BS: Why does my phone do this?!

Subject: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Stower
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 09:01 AM

I refuse to buy a *fourth* house telephone in a row for the same reason. I have spoken to my line provider and 2 engineers and no one can answer me, except to say it is a problem with cordless phones. Can this be true?

I buy a new phone and it's OK for a year or 2. Then, while calling someone (this never happens when someone calls me), after about 5 to 10 minutes of conversation, both the callee and I hear a sound like a rush of wind which turns into a loud humming noise, making the other person's voice very faint and distant. We have to call off. If I ring again, the same thing happens after 2 minutes. If I ring again, after less than a minute. If they call me, there is no problem.

This has happened in 2 different houses and with 2 different line providers. I change the batteries in the phone (several times) and it makes no difference.

Is it the case that cordless phones just have a limited life? But why have I heard no one else complain about this problem?

Mmmphh. I am flummoxed.   

Is there a solution anyone can suggest?

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 09:05 AM

Poltergeist?
I have never experienced that but I too have had the worst luck with cordless phones. They never seem to work properly and the connection is iffy.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 09:13 AM

We can get ROYAL static on both corded and cordless phones.

Interestingly enough, it seems to happen mostly with the newer phones -- those less than 10 years old.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Girl Friday
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:14 AM

Did you know that if you only have cordless phones in your house, you are out of service during a power cut? Always have one ordinary phone connected.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Stower
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:14 AM

Rapaire, what is "royal static"? Does it fit my description? Is there a cure or prevention?

Please ... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:17 AM

It could be relevant to know which country we are talking about.

(and I assume 'cordless' is being distinguished from 'mobile' or 'cell.)

Cordless phones can have dead or dying battery issues.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:18 AM

That is...batteries can gradually lose the ability to be recharged.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Stower
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:25 AM

I am in England, and the phone in question has recently had new rechargeable batteries, which have not improved the situation. It is a cordless house phone with a land line.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Amos
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:29 AM

IT may be the battery losing its power. Try finding a replacement battery and see if that remedies it. Rechargeable batteries fade over time.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:44 AM

Hang on and listen. A message may be trying to come through. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Stower
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:46 AM

Amos, I have replaced the batteries. It makes no difference.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Stower
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 12:48 PM

... and if it as the batteries, surely I would have a problem regardless of whether I am calling out or receiving a call?

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Amos
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 12:55 PM

HAs the transmitter (base unit) antenna been folded down during housecleaning? Or has the antenna on the receiving unit been stowed down or broken off?

A

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: ClaireBear
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 03:26 PM

Is there a nearby prankster armed with a microwave oven who might like to mess with your mind?

(The microwave oven in our house messes up wireless reception to an extreme degree, and it's much like what you describe, but not of course with outgoing calls only.)

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Stower
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 05:03 PM

The antenna is in the same place it's always been, Amos, and I don't own a miscrowave, Claire, but thanks for asking!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Amos
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 06:12 PM

The other thing is it may be nothing to do with your phone, but with some sort of local interference that occurs on a schedule--microwave relays, tekevisions, radar, etc., depending of frequencies, can run up a temporary interference.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: olddude
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 09:07 PM

Does your cordless phones have the ability to change channels? Mine does. Ok cordless phone will pick up electro magnetic interference from even a neighbour using a wireless internet connection, a near by power line etc. .. the easiest fix it so switch channels until you find one that does not act like this

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 10:47 PM

I would use an adapter to connect the cordless phone and a corded phone to the same jack. Then, when the cordless phone acts up, hang up and call back on the corded phone. Whether or not it does the same thing will tell you whether the problem's in the line or the phone.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my phone do this?!
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 06:32 AM

Joy reports this occasionally when I ring. I have a DECT phone. They had water in the wires.

There is a condition with UK phones where if there is water in the wires and it bridges any bare wire you can get the whole of the PCM breaking in - probably sub-harmonics of the megaHertz frequencies.

I heard it on a phoneline that died a few days before news of my sister's death. They were ringing from NZ and they could hear the ring tone (used to mean the phone was there, but not now), which they assumed was "no answer". Bro-in-Law had to get the police to call round. I was at a Festival, so SO (at the time) had drive the 100 miles to tell me. And it got more complex after that.

My reaction would be to get the phone to do it inside of a minute then immediately call the engineers and see if it does it. At least they will hear the problem, hopefully.