Orchid V4, V4+ Programing Tool Support

Quentin

Does the truecall system mentioned by Heinz in this thread:https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3887799 work ok with an orchid?

shilcor

I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work with an Orchid since it is filtering inbound calls whereas the Orchid is intercepting the DTMF tones that you dial and either changing them or passing them on to the phone line. One thing to consider is that the Orchid V4 (at least mine anyway) takes its power from the phone line so I'd assume you would need to have the Orchid plugged directly into your phone line and have the TrueCall sitting between your phone and the Orchid because the TrueCall has it's own power adapter. I've never used one myself but you can download the manuals from their site below so might get some further info there.

http://www.truecall.co.uk/acatalog/trueCall_online_manuals.html

rkm_hm

I want to block 0870 calls during weekday daytimes (because VoIP - not controlled by the dialler - is much cheaper, then) and allow them at evenings and weekends (because they are included in my evening and weekend package).
Can anyone think of an easy way to do this? AIUI, normal blocking applies to all times. In the past, I've achieved this by pointing daytime 0870 calls at 18185, with whom I didn't have an account, so they wouldn't connect. But, having discovered that calls to mobiles are much cheaper with 18185 than with either 18866 or 1899, I've now signed up with 18185 - so my old solution won't work. Are there any elagant solutions to be had?

Heinz

rkm_hm wrote: »

I want to block 0870 calls during weekday daytimes (because VoIP - not controlled by the dialler - is much cheaper, then) and allow them at evenings and weekends (because they are included in my evening and weekend package).
Can anyone think of an easy way to do this? AIUI, normal blocking applies to all times. In the past, I've achieved this by pointing daytime 0870 calls at 18185, with whom I didn't have an account, so they wouldn't connect. But, having discovered that calls to mobiles are much cheaper with 18185 than with either 18866 or 1899, I've now signed up with 18185 - so my old solution won't work. Are there any elagant solutions to be had?

If you're using the program as per post 1 in this thread, you'll have Routing Rule 16 sending 0870 calls via Carrier 5 (08081703703) during the day and via Carrier 3 (BT via the 1280 prefix) at other times.

What I would do is add a new Carrier in the Carrier table (it'll probably be carrier 6 if you have the standard setup) and just change the first routing in Routing Rule 16 from 5 to 6.

If you make that new Carrier 0800 019 2190, dialling 0870 during the week will send the call to a recording which says, "Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in service. Please check the number you have dialled and try again."

To manually (using a phone's DTMF keypad) add a new Carrier 6:
*#**08000192190*6

To manually (using a phone's DTMF keypad) alter (overwrite) Routing Rule 16:
*###0870#3633#16#

rkm_hm

Heinz wrote: »

If you're using the program as per post 1 in this thread, you'll have Routing Rule 16 sending 0870 calls via Carrier 5 (08081703703) during the day and via Carrier 3 (BT via the 1280 prefix) at other times.

What I would do is add a new Carrier in the Carrier table (it'll probably be carrier 6 if you have the standard setup) and just change the first routing in Routing Rule 16 from 5 to 6.

If you make that new Carrier 0800 019 2190, dialling 0870 during the week will send the call to a recording which says, "Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in service. Please check the number you have dialled and try again."

To manually (using a phone's DTMF keypad) add a new Carrier 6:
*#**08000192190*6

To manually (using a phone's DTMF keypad) alter (overwrite) Routing Rule 16:
*###0870#3633#16#

Thanks. I've got my own routing table which is somewhat simpler than the one you quote because I don't use Carrier Pre-select - so no need for 1280 etc. If I create a new carrier (0800 019 2190) as suggested by you, and point 0870 calls at that in the daytime and at BT (0) at other times, that will do the trick.

It's effectively what I had before - i.e. using an invalid carrier to effectively block calls during the daytime and allow them at other times. The only difference is that I'll get a different message!

I was hoping that there may be an elegant way of doing it, which ACTUALLY blocked the calls at certain times - but I wasn't over-optimistic.

Thanks again.

Heinz

The other option is to make the new carrier your own number - so any 0870 calls weekday daytimes get the engaged tone.

rkm_hm

Heinz wrote: »

The other option is to make the new carrier your own number - so any 0870 calls weekday daytimes get the engaged tone.

Bad idea!! I've got BT Answer 1571 set up, so ringing myself instantly results in a chargeable call!

Heinz

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=12555509&postcount=27

rkm_hm

I have got a proper answering machine too, which answers before 1571 as long as the line isn't busy. 1571 just enables people to leave a message even when the line's busy (which isn't THAT often). I've also got a phone which detects the broken dial tone - so I DO know when someone has left a message.

But ringing my own number is a definite NO NO!

[I do agree, overall, with the sentiments expressed in the above link[1], but feel that 1571 still has its uses if used alongside an ordinary answering machine].


[1] Which I had to remove 'cos - as a 'new' user - it won't let me post links!

rkm_hm

Those who have read Shilcor's excellent Manual Programming Guide will know that it contains a section on checking the output of the dialler by using a device obtained from Maplin to record the DTMF tones, and then using a software package to decode them.

You may be interested to know that I have obtained a device which does it in a much simpler way - AND in real time. It looks similar to many stand-alone CallerID units, but it displays OUTGOING calls as well as incoming ones. By connecting it to the output (line) side of the dialler, I can see exactly what it going out to the line when I dial a number on a handset.

I got my device via Ebay. It took nearly a month to arrive from Hong Kong, and the build quality (response to button presses, etc.) leaves a bit to be desired - but for just over £3 including carriage, I can't really complain. It works well enough to do the job for which I bought it.

As a newish user of this forum, I'm apparently now allowed to post links - but if you go to Ebay and search for Item 180730497859 you should find it.