Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!mailrus!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request From: julian@bongo.uucp (Julian Macassey) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Need Help With Plantronics Headset Message-ID: <12815@accuvax.nwu.edu> Date: 28 Sep 90 18:19:14 GMT Sender: news@accuvax.nwu.edu Organization: The Hole in the Wall Hollywood California U.S.A. Lines: 96 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 697, Message 1 of 12 In article <12690@accuvax.nwu.edu>, clark@ssc-vax.boeing.com (Roger Clark Swann) writes: > I need some help with this headset that I found today at the surplus > store. It is a Platronics StarSet (R) Supra (TM) with the numbers > HS0552-1 on the back of the connector. This is the type that uses an > _adapter_ to connect to the phone instrument. The connector is the > PJ327 flavor, (two 1/4 inch phone plugs side by side on one end of > small box). I looked in the ATT source book and the unit is listed > there for $130 and the adapter for hookup to a 1A or single line set > an additional $130. > Question: What is in the adapter box other than an on/off switch and a > push switch for flashing the line? > Followup question: Can I make an adapter to hook this headset into a > phone? > Yes, the little adapter box looks nice, but not a $130 nice. > I assume that the network interface in the phone set is used just as > it is with the regular handset and that the _adapter_ is wired so as > to provide hookswitch control and connects the headset in place of the > regular handset. If this is true, I should be able to roll my own > adapter. The only other thing I need to know is; Which plug on the > headset is the mic circuit and which is the earphone circuit? The Tips of the jack are Transmitter, the Sleeves are Receiver. The magic box, known in telco speak as a JS-0180 contains an amplifier, power feed for the electret mic, flash switch and hook-switch. It also contains enough odd leads to enable the device to provide A1 lead control (Works with 1A2 phones) and can be wired to work with a 4A speaker-phone. But let's be honest, for something made by underpaid labour in Mexico, this is a rip off at $95.00 (Distributor price). But you need the box with your starset and a regular desk phone. Making one would be a hassle. You could possibly Mickey Mouse one together, but it would lack many of the facilities of the real thing. Wiring in a jackset is a nightmare at the best of times. There is a good instruction book, and only a screwdriver is needed, but it is not for the neophyte. If you have never opened a phone before, putting in a jackset is not a good place to start. The Manual is good and comprehensive, but messing with 16 wires minimum requires patience and concentration. If you want to get a headset going, there is hope. You can get a used refurbished one. A company called Comfort Telecommunications sells refurbished JS-0180 jacksets and even headsets. Here are the details: Comfort Communications Suite 340 1417-2 Del Prado Boulevard Cape Coral Florida 33990 Phone: (813) 945-3224 (813) 472-7065 FAX: (813) 945-0288 Prices: Starset 343-1 $39.00 Starset Classic $39.00 JS-0180 Jackset $25.00 Also Plantronics will "repair", which means send you a new one, for good prices. Send them a JS-0180 that has been run over by a Mac truck and they will send you a new one for $25.00 You can call Plantronics repair at (800) 544-4660 For our international readers (408) 426-5868 TELEX 357-419 If you have questions about which of the many Plantronics headsets to use, you can call sales at (800) 544-4660 Sorry no POTS number. Hello Direct sell Plantronics headsets. They are expensive but good. But if you are a scrounger, get a "broken" one that someone wants to toss and get Plantronics to "repair" it for just a few bucks. There are other headset makers. The brand names like Unex, Danvox etc make good but expensive headsets. It is hard to justify a headset that costs more than four times the cost of the phone it is attached to. But one experience with a cheapie headset should convince you to go with the quality. Julian Macassey, n6are julian@bongo.info.com ucla-an!denwa!bongo!julian N6ARE@K6IYK (Packet Radio) n6are.ampr.org [44.16.0.81] voice (213) 653-4495