AFX-300 Deluxe Automatic Fax/Data Switch
(430-1245) Installation Faxback Doc. # 19568
Each device that you connect to the phone line draws power from the phone
line. We refer to this power draw as the device's ringer equivalence
number, or REN. The REN is shown on the bottom of your AFX-300.
If you are using more than one device on the line, add up all the RENs. If
the total is more than five, your phone might not ring and your answering
machine might not answer. In rural areas, a total REN of three might impair
ringer operation. If ringer operation is impaired, remove a device from the
line.
Your AFX-300 complies with Part 68 of FCC Rules. You must, upon request,
provide the FCC registration number and the REN to your phone company.
Both numbers are shown on the bottom of your AFX-300.
You must not connect your AFX-300 to:
Coin-operated systems
Party-line systems
Most electronic key phone systems
The AFX-300 is not compatible with:
Voice mail services
Call forwarding services
Call waiting services
Fax machines or modems that have a REN greater than 2.0B.
CAUTION: Be sure to perform the procedures in this section in this order,
otherwise the AFX-300 might not operate as expected:
1. Install batteries
2. Connect to the phone line
3. Connect your TAD, fax machine/fax modem, and/or data modem
4. Connect the AFX-300 to AC power
NOTE: If the AFX-300's operation becomes erratic, disconnect it from AC
power, unplug all modular connections, remove the backup batteries,
then follow all installation procedures in the order they appear
(beginning with "Installing Back-up Batteries", below).
INSTALLING BACK-UP BATTERIES
Your AFX-300 requires two button-cell batteries (supplied) for memory
backup in case AC power is disconnected or fails.
Follow these steps to install the batteries.
1. Remove the battery compartment screw with a small Phillips
screwdriver, then remove the cover by sliding it in the direction of
the arrow.
2. Insert the batteries into the compartment with the positive (+) sides
facing up. The POWER/IN USE indicator turns on.
3. Replace the cover, then reinsert and tighten the screw.
NOTES: The AFX-300's POWER/IN USE indicator flashes slowly during normal
use. If it flashes rapidly, replace the batteries. For the
longest life, we recommend alkaline batteries, such as Radio Shack
Cat. No. 23-115.
WARNING: Promptly dispose of old batteries and keep them out of
reach of young children. Swallowing a button cell
battery can be fatal.
Before you replace the back-up batteries, you must disconnect the
AFX-300 from AC power and unplug all modular phone cords.
Disconnecting AC power while the batteries are removed resets the
AFX-300's features to their default settings.
MAKING THE CONNECTIONS
Follow these steps to connect the AFX-300 to the phone line and your
answering machine (TAD), fax machine, fax modem, and/or data modem.
1. Plug one end of the AFX-300's modular cord into its LINE jack, and
plug the other end into your modular telephone line jack.
NOTES: If your telephone line does not have a modular jack, you must
update the wiring. You can convert the wiring yourself, using
jacks and adapters available at your local Radio Shack store,
or you can have the telephone company update the wiring for
you. The telephone company will charge you for the
installation of the necessary jacks. The USOC number of the
jack to be installed is RJ11C (or RJ11W for a wall plate
jack).
If you have two phone lines and you want to connect the AFX-300
to the second line, you must install a triplex modular adapter,
such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 279-469, and connect the AFX-300
to L2. Follow the installation instructions provided with the
adapter.
You can mount the AFX-300 on a standard modular wall plate or
directly on a wall using two screws (not supplied), then
connect the AFX-300 to the telephone line using a short modular
cord (not supplied).
2. To connect a fax machine, fax modem, or fax/data modem, plug its
modular plug into the AFX-300's FAX jack.
NOTES: If you connected a fax/data modem (one that receives both fax
and data calls), be sure to set the AFX-300 to route data modem
calls to the FAX jack.
To ensure optimum compatibility with the AFX-300 and avoid
disconnected fax calls due to lengthy connection time:
- Set the connected fax machine/fax modem's ring number
feature to its minimum setting (typically 1 ring).
- If the connected fax machine/fax modem has a delayed ring
(or answer) feature, turn it off or set it to the minimum
delay setting.
3. To connect a TAD to the AFX-300, plug the TAD's modular plug into the
AFX-300's TAD jack. Also, see "Preparing a TAD for Use with the
AFX-300" on Page 14 and/or below.
NOTES: If you connect a TAD to the AFX-300, you can connect your
telephone to the phone jack on the TAD.
If you do not connect a TAD to the AFX-300's TAD jack, you can
connect your telephone's modular plug directly to this jack.
If you installed a triplex adapter, plug your TAD's or
telephone's modular cord into the adapter's L1/L2 jack.
4. To connect a data modem to the AFX-300, plug the modem's modular plug
into the AFX-300's MODEM jack.
NOTE: If you connected both a TAD and a data modem to the AFX -300, and do
not subscribe to second number distinctive ring service from your
telephone company, be sue to turn on the automatic modem detection
feature. Otherwise, the AFX-300 will not switch data modem calls
properly.
INITIALIZING THE AFX-300/CONNECTING TO POWER
Follow these steps to connect the AFX-300 to AC power.
CAUTION: Make sure all of the AFX-300's modular jacks are plugged in
before you connect it to power.
1. Plug the supplied adapter's barrel plug into the AFX-300's DC 12V
jack.
2. Plug the adapter's other end into a standard 120-volt AC power outlet.
CAUTION: You must use a Class II, 120V AC/12V DC adapter that delivers
at least 400 milliamps. Its center tip must be set to
negative and its plug must correctly fit the AFX-300's DC 12V
jack. The supplied adapter meets these requirements. Using
an adapter that does not meet these requirements could damage
the AFX-300 or the adapter.
3. Route the AC adapter cord through the AFX-300's strain relief slot.
PREPARING A TAD FOR USE WITH THE AFX-300
Setting the TAD's Ring Number
The AFX-300 is preset to direct a call to either the FAX or MODEM jack
after five rings. When you use a TAD with the AFX-300, be sure the TAD is
set to answer within four rings. If it is not, either change the ring
number on the TAD to 4, or change the ring number on the AFX-300 to at
least one number higher than the TAD's ring number.
Changing the Outgoing Message
Some fax machines/fax modems do not sound the tones required to make the
AFX-300 automatically switch the call and start your fax machine/fax modem.
If you connected a TAD to the AFX-300, we recommend you change the TAD's
outgoing message to include instructions for callers with that type of fax
machine/fax modem, or for those callers who might want to both leave a
voice message and send a fax during the call.
For example:
"Hello. You have reached 555-4567. Please leave your name and phone
number at the tone, and we will return your call. If you want to send us
a fax and you have a touch-tone phone, press one, the pound sign, then one
on your telephone to activate our fax machine, then press START on your fax
machine. Thanks for calling."
If you also connected a data modem to the AFX-300, the message might say:
"Hello. You have reached 555-4567. If you want to leave a message, press
any digit on your touch-tone phone, then leave your name and phone number
at the tone, and we will return your call. Or, if you want to send us a fax
and you have a touch-tone phone, press one, the pound sign, then one on
your telephone to activate our fax machine, then press START on your fax
machine. Thanks for calling."
NOTE: If your TAD's message interferes with the AFX-300's operation (for
example, calls are not routed properly, the TAD records calls
intended for the fax machine/fax modem, etc.), re-record the message
and speak more softly.
OPTIONAL VOICE DATA GUARD
When you use cordless telephones, extension telephones, speed dialers,
computer modems, or other telephone devices on the same telephone line
as your fax machine/fax modem.
When your answering machine is too far away to easily connect to the
AFX-300's TAD jack.
To install a voice data guard, follow its supplied instructions.
NOTE: You do not need to use a voice data guard with the AFX-300 if your
TAD automatically stops the outgoing message when you pick up an
extension phone on the same line as the TAD, and you connected the
TAD to the AFX-300's TAD jack.
(EB 1/12/96)