Grandstream HT-801 ATA - phone doesn't work.....

I've just purchased a Grandstream HT801 for one of my old analogue phones, it used to powered from the BT phone line, I've connected via an RJ11 cable directly from the phone to the Grandstream and I get no dial tone, I can't even test the connection!

Further research suggests I need a BT plug (plus ring capacitor) to RJ11 adapter?!

So then I tried one of my DECT phones which is independently powered, and the ran the RJ11 cable from the base station to the RJ11 socket on the Grandstream and still "nothing" (I can't do any test calls or echo recording checks)

I've set this up with the correct settings, according to voipfone support they can see I'm plugged in and see my Grandstream is registered with their system - but I can't carry out any test calls to the service on either phone.

Everyone on here, Amazon and elsewhere seem to rave about it's plug in and go but I can't get it to work at all, when others have had hassle free setup - any advice or help would be appreciated - I'm totally at a loss.

There is no standard pin configuration usage for an RJ11 plug. Of the 6 pins some devices use pins 2 and 5 and some use 3 and 4. I would suggest trying with a cable where pins 2 and 5 at one end are connected to pins 3 and 4 at the other.

How would that change how the phone works, does that mean it will ring? I think I've tried every combination of UK RJ11 I have in the house, I just don't why it isn't even performing test calls.

These are phones that were both working on the normal PSTN network (using the BT plug) but when I use an RJ11 to RJ11 it doesn't work, what have I done wrong?

What specific handsets are you plugging into the ATA?

Here are some pictures:

Phone Album Retry

There a bit dusty and dirty - apologies, these phones both worked on the old phone line before FTTP was installed and I had the copper disconnected.

EDIT: Edited the link as album wasn't shared

Edited by juzzy25 (Wed 24-Nov-21 22:28:50)

Sorry none of your links work for me...

When you login to the Grandstream Web UI - navigate to Device Configuration and then the Staus tab.

Where it says Port Status for FXS - do you see the entry there toggle from 'On Hook' to 'Off hook' when you take the phone physically off hook to make a call?

Yoiu are connecting with a straight-through RJ11 (4-wire) lead from the ATA to the handset?

The "2m RJ11 To RJ11 Cable Lead 4 Pin Telephone Phone 6P4C CROSS OVER BLACK" for £1.80 shown in this link might work. You would have to buy it and try if none of your phones work. If you have an old cable you could cut it in half and then join it so that the pairs are crossed.

Really only need the two centre pins to be present and cross-over.

If OP holds up each RJ11 plug side by side, very quick and easy to see if the colours transpose at either plug.

Sorry none of your links work for me...

When you login to the Grandstream Web UI - navigate to Device Configuration and then the Staus tab.

Where it says Port Status for FXS - do you see the entry there toggle from 'On Hook' to 'Off hook' when you take the phone physically off hook to make a call?

You are connecting with a straight-through RJ11 (4-wire) lead from the ATA to the handset?

Apologies - gallery was set to private, I've changed it now.

On every single RJ11 I have in the house - every single time it stays as "on hook"

As described below I'm using a 4-way RJ11 cable

I have three RJ11s:

1 x two centre pins
1 x two outer pins
1 x all four pins

Both phones have RJ11 contacts on pin 1 and pin 4, at this point I'm ruling out the phones and it's a cable issue then?

Really only need the two centre pins to be present and cross-over.

If OP holds up each RJ11 plug side by side, very quick and easy to see if the colours transpose at either plug.

I've ordered a BT plug to RJ11 adapter to see if this does the job for me, I don't want to be buying any more RJ11 cables that may not work, since I already have three.

I think I've exhausted all the options for now, let's see what happens when the plugs turn up next week.

The reason why your phones aren't working is because they are wired with pins 2 & 5 on the RJ11 whilst the FXS port on the ATA needs connection on the two centre pins 3 &4 (on a 6 way connector)