Rhino R8Fxx-EC PCI card HISSSS

[dghundt]

Just went live with new asterisk system. Previously had an older dell 3000 with a tdm400 card in the same office environment that worked without issues or call quality problems.

Rhino R8FXX-EC PCI plug in card with 4 fxo ports (2 modules)
Using pbx in a flash 1.3 (Asterisk 1.4.21.2 with dtmf patch applied), used the most recent rhino drivers as of a couple months ago, dell sc440 server brand new, snom sip phones, sipura ata adapters for cordless phones.

Calls work well, but since we changed our phone server to the dell sc440 with the rhino card, we hear a lot of hiss with pstn calls. There is no clicking or choppy voice prompts. The amount of hiss varies, but is always louder with silence. During ringing or voice it seems to be less. If we make a call using sip/iax2 the calls are louder, so we have to turn down the volume and hence get less hiss.

Has anyone noticed this as well?

 

[dghundt]

James did a great job flashing firmwares, upgrading drivers, recording sound samples, explaining what he found, and running fxo tune several times. Very patient.

Seems like it is my lines, and minor at this point. Our Verizon and cox lines do sound different. Thanks James!

 

[hkgonra]

Is this just another example of great Rhino support ?
I hope so , I just spent a little over $1000 with them yesterday.

 

[dghundt]

So far overall front desk is pleased this morning with pstn calls. They notice on average much less static compared to yesterday and say that the callee can hear us better (louder).

Main changes I can determine were
1. running fxo tune to balance each line
2. update of drivers, and firmware
3. I did increase Rx gain as well so that the volume matched better with our voip lines but this is really a separate issue.
4. James at Rhino

 

[rbamburg]

Low Volume

I have the same problem using Rhino Card, Dell T-100 and Aastra 57i phones, two seperate installs.

Talked with James and we performed the firmware upgrade and fxo tune which got rid of the choppy voice but did not really fix the volume problem.

Worked with RXgain and got the volume up to a point but can't go further due to the hiss.

This configureation is replacing Panasonic phone system's that had better volume and no hiss.

I put a Butt set on the line and made calls. The butt set calls had no hiss and good volume so I don't see a line problem.

We have 5 more installs to go so I would like to get this bug worked out.

 

[dghundt]

If you can prove a difference in signal noise, you should work with James directly. Support is free with the rhino cards.

 

[rbamburg]

Rhino Support

Yes I will be calling Rhino support back on Tuesday.

I can't rate James and the Support Team highly enough.

I have over 30 years experience in service on computers and other business equipment and after dealing with them a few times I have nothing but praise for them.

This is the reason I purchased the Rhino cards for my 15 installations so far.

Will keep you posted on what we experience.

 

[euser4life]

To Rbamburg:

Adjust the RX gain back to an exceptable level (so no hissing) on the rhino.

Then test adding RX gains and lowering TX gains on one of your 57i's "mac".cfg located in the /tftpboot directory

Add the following to increase the handset.....

handset rx gain: 2
handset tx gain: -2

Save the "mac".cfg and reboot the phone. Now test some outbound calls.

Play with these levels and see if it improves things. Keep us posted.

Good luck....

 

[rbamburg]

Change the 57i's .mac?

I will give that a try on Tuesday and see what happens and post it here.

However IAX2 calls between offices already have a good volume. It is just analog calls that are soft.

 

[rbamburg]

Still Low Volume

I have tried everything I know so far and still have low volume on calls going thru the Rhino Analog card.

Worked with Rhino support and they tell me that from what they see it should be blasting the user out of their seat. It ain't.

IAX2 calls are clear and loud.

I have 4 locations that I am working with. 2 are AT&T analog lines and the other 2 are CBeyond connections behind a T-1. The only common link is the PBX in a Flash installation with the Rhino Card.

Still looking for an answer. I think I have exausted Rhino support.