Orchid V4, V4+ Programing Tool Support

seth

I've just moved to PlusNet (from Virgin) and wanted to set up my Orchid Dialer (I think it's a Orchid v4+ as it has a Power adapter?)

Last time I set this up I used a spreadsheet, could someone point me to the latest version? The word doc I have from SHILCOR is 1.25 4/2/14 is this the most current?

Thanks to all on this thread for their time and effort supporting these units- Especially SHILCOR and HEINZ

Finally I wanted to ask if anyone has

1) found any Android apps that could "PLAY" the tone (Eg output of the spreadsheet that I could mail to my phone) to the Orchid

2) Set up the Orchid with a VOIP ATA with FXO with the Orchid on the FXO side? - Background I want to set up our home phone (5 DECTs via a single base to the BT (Plusnet) Line 1899 and other CPs seem to work. I get no free minutes from PlusNet so wanted to route outgoing calls to VOIP (e.g. VOIP Stunt) but also ensure any calls routed via the FXO Port to the PSTN went via the Orchid say 1899 and the usual suspects. I have a Linksys SPA3000 ATA (also a SPA9000) but that has no FXO.

shilcor

Hi Seth,
I can confirm that V1.25 is definitely the latest version of my doc.

seth

shilcor wrote: »

Hi Seth,
I can confirm that V1.25 is definitely the latest version of my doc.

Thanks

My routing requirements for the Orchid are really simple.

I want all calls to go out via VOIP so the Orchid will only be given outbound calls if the VOIP unit fails in which case I just want 1899 prepended to any dialed number anytime.

I'm on the cheapest Plus-net Fiber unlimited which is loads of bandwidth but there are no inclusive calls not even evening or w/e but low cost providers like 1899 would be ideal for outbound PSTN calls, especially with the spoke rate notification turned on.

I think I'm like a goldfish as I must have programmed the Orchid 7 or 8 times since purchase, but its 1 or 2 years between setups so I forget! Actually I forget how to program the underfloor heating at home that that's just because I turn it off during the summer.

Your guide is a lifesaver!

johnniegif

Dear Seth.


I use VoIP together with my Orchid dialler as a backup too. I use the TalkTalk network and most of my calls go over VoIP in a similar way that you propose i.e. you can use your landline for calls if VoIP is down. For this I use a Gigaset N300A IP VoIP router but it has similar effect to yours.

VoIPStunt is a Dellmont SARL company. Many subscribers will tell you that after making a few free calls, their VoIP brand start charging the standard rate without notice and when you query the bill, they say that you "breached their terms and conditions" even though you have not. They will also charge you for spurious calls which you have never made e.g. to the Caribbean Islands. Customers have little recourse as they are simply ignored. I would avoid any Dellmont SARL owned VoIP company. List of Dellmont SARL companies here so you know which ones to avoid: http://progx.ch/home-voip-prixbetamax-3-4-2.html Personally I use Didlogic, who offer no "free" gimmicks, just consistently cheap and quality calls. E.g. UK landline calls cost around 1/3 of a penny per minute with no connection fee and mobile calls for about 1.7p/minute ... charges are in $US so vary slightly according to the exchange rate with the pound. You pre-pay $5 or more, so in effect you fix the exchange rate at the time of purchase. It doesn't vary enough to worry about, they are always cheap. So unless you are able to use the likes of 18185 directly with the call only costing 5p connection fee and zero pence per minute ... and you waffle on for more than 15 minutes per call, it will be cheaper. Otherwise Didlogic would be cheaper. I have no link with Didlogic apart from being a very happy customer who has spent a few cents over $3 with them since late April 2014. Like you, I get no call allowance with TalkTalk's SimplyBroadband, so I feel comfort knowing I can still route my calls over the Orchid Dialler without incurring ridiculous "standard" pricing and CONnection charges.


I wouldn't be without my Orchid dialler as it still gives me flexibility.

Lplates

Don't forget -

Orchid users should remember to reset the dialler’s internal clock to GMT early tomorrow morning (or at some other more convenient time).

Resetting the clock from the attached phone can be done by a sequence of keystrokes, as follows:

* * # 0 0 0 0 *
hhmm
DOW
ddmmyy
* 2

(this sequence is shown on five lines to improve legibility – when setting the time the entire sequence is entered without breaks), where

hhmm is four digits representing the current time in 24-hour format
DOW (day of week) is one digit representing the current day (Monday = 1, Sunday = 7)
ddmmyy is six digits representing the current date

For example, to set the clock at 3pm tomorrow, key in

* * # 0 0 0 0 *
1500
7
261014
* 2

and hang up.

charlieheard

Thanks for the reminder! I've changed most of the clocks in the house, especially as the DAB radio alarm didn't update its time in time, and woke us at 5:30 :mad:

I've got a question about compatibility and I'm posting here as this seems to be the most viewed Orchid thread. We're getting four BT8500 phones with a single base unit and answering machine, which have TrueCall built in (and called "Call Guardian" by BT). I understand that there should be no issues with making the Orchid box work with the set, as Orchid only deals with outgoing calls, but I was wondering if anyone has any issues with similar phones or with TrueCall?

blanik

charlieheard wrote: »

We're getting four BT8500 phones with a single base unit and answering machine, which have TrueCall built in (and called "Call Guardian" by BT). I understand that there should be no issues with making the Orchid box work with the set, as Orchid only deals with outgoing calls, but I was wondering if anyone has any issues with similar phones or with TrueCall?

The only issue I had with Truecall and Orchid was the Truecall dialing out to do it's web update. This BT implementation looks like simplified, self contained version , so I don't see you having any issues. A good value purchase.

charlieheard

Thanks for that - they arrived last week, though I haven't installed them yet. It does seem a good buy though the price goes up and down a bit. We went for John Lewis for the extra warranty, though it varies by up to £15 if you follow it on camelcamelcamel.com.

Sorry I didn't reply sooner, but I've had gastric flu, so I'm now a stone lighter but still coughing far too much 24/7

shilcor

Sorry - bit of a long post and possibly a question for Heinz!

I've recently moved my phone line rental over to Sky Talk because I threatened to move my broadband to Plusnet so they offered me a year's free broadband and Sky Talk with Line Rental Saver.

I have a couple of VoIP lines using Sipgate accounts via a VoIP adapter attached to my router so use that for outbound weekday calls and just use Sky for the free weekend calls. We also use a THREE PAYG mobile for calls to mobiles at all times so my Orchid dialler doesn't really do much routing any more.

However, I'd like to re-configure it so that if someone accidentally tries to make an outbound call via the phones attached to the Orchid during the week, it will prevent them doing so. The Call Barring Routing code can only block selected calls at ALL times rather than weekdays only so that's no good. Translate will only translate an exact dialled number (like 192 to the free 0800 Directory Enquiries number for example) and can't translate anything with a wildcard character like 084* .
The best solution I can think of is to use a carrier code prefix that will always fail so because Sky don't allow 1899 or 18185 I guess I could use one of those but is there a better solution?
I mainly want to block normal landline numbers and 0870 numbers except weekends and any 084* numbers all the time.

Also, a previous post mentioned that all service providers MUST allow free 080* numbers so the direct access prefix numbers for 1899 and 18185 (08081703703 and 08081708708) should be free but their price list suggests otherwise. Can anybody confirm that?

davidm_uk

I seem to remember that when I've tried 0800 numbers via the Orchid and 18185 that I get a message saying that they don't support these calls. I then have to prefix the number with 121 which causes the Orchid dial direct. I think that there are some other numbers where 18185 gives the same message.