Northern Telecom Norstar PBX test

[@JoeSchlubb]

I remember having these phones in a grocery store I worked at in the mid 1990's, They were almost brand new when started working there and I remember using the pbx feature often to page people in the store when people left their lights on ect... They seemed so high tech back then. We also played a form of hide and seek with them, there was over 20 phones. My current employer also had a few of these back when I started there, however they were replaced with IP phones several years back.

[@westernelectric1500]

We have the same phone system in our office, but with fancier phones that have a two-line display and additional buttons to access features. We also have a flash add on module for voice mail. The system replaced a Western Electric Comkey system and reuses the old 25 pair wiring with adapters to convert the Centronics connectors to modular connectors to connect the Nortstar phones. It was incredible expensive when installed in the late 90s, I believe over $10,000.

[@Sansui350A]

These would be interesting for an emulated dial-up network.. :D You could have vintage PC's talk to each other, hell, even run a virtual BBS.

[@ManiacalMichael504]

@retrochad I think what happens is the output from the multi-plug goes to your 66-block (punch block) that is wired to the individual phones, and that gives each phone its own extension on the PBX. The multi-plug for the outside lines goes to a separate 66-block that is wired for the outside lines which in your case, will have just one pair. I'm definitely not an expert and could be off here, but I know 66-blocks are the norm for offices and even in some houses.

[@MaxK98k]

If you don't want to pay expensive copper line just go with VOIP. If you have a good stable internet connection you won't see the difference. You will need an ATA (like the PAP2T-NA) and you will have 2 lines available to use. Just plug the the two lines of the ATA like you would with regular phone lines. Feel free to PM me if you want more info

[@retrochad]

@WhoSaidTyler I have noticed that there are offices in this building of people who worked there for more than 30 yrs and kept working there till their 80's in age and just recently passed away and their offices are kept just like they were when they were alive, I don't think their families have taken much if anything from them and their names are still on the directory in the entrance.

[@retrochad]

@ManiacalMichael504 All the phone cables are the old multiple-wire system (25 pair?) which would have have been used with the old Bell System multiline phones...there is a huge punch block panel but I'm not sure which cables go where. I think I will just use cat 5 cable and run new lines to each room just to make sure I get the connections right. The Nortel phones only require a 2-wire connection to the PBX.

[@ManiacalMichael504]

That's an excellent Christmas gift there! I remember in an earlier video the office was already wired for phone, so it's probably plug-and-go setup for you. And yes I would check out MJ or Vonage as suggested earlier for a cheap outside line.

[@retrochad]

@redneckbryon Yes I think it does with an external module which came with it. I still need to see how that is hooked up though.

[@retrochad]

@Comptekhs Thanks for the tip...I have seen some bad reviews about the Magic Jack but was reading about a product called the OBi100 which can work with Google Voice. I will need to see if the internet speed, especially the upload speed is good enough in the building to allow me to use a VOIP setup.

[@Jamiep84]

Nice... I always wanted a traditional PBX (especially the old relay-based type). Strange how most electronics stores have never stocked them.

[@8trackyugo]

@retrochad I have one of these exact systems that I use for my home phone, with 2 lines going into it. All Northern Telecom equipment should be compatible with each other, both Nortstar and Meridian. If you need a programming guide, there should be a manual available on the internet. Also, there is an overlay for the buttons once you put the phone system into programming mode, which can be done from any connected phone. I have identical telephones to yours, the m2708.

[@jix177]

Used to have these in a place where I worked, they are a great system. One of the best things is that you can open a hands-free call to someone without them picking up - I think by pressing Feature-5-5 or Feature-5-0. In fact there are numerous features available simply by pressing the Feature key and a 2 digit code. The large buttons down the right hand side snap off and are interchangeable and can be programmed for any of the features. Try typing Feature-*-*-Config to get into program mode.

[@HURLBUT6805]

@bimjales yes you are correct about magic jack giveing your address BUT if your using your computer while traveling or at a different location,it sends your address,not your actual location!

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

"Retrochad, pick up on line 1 please...Retrochad...line 1"...lol It's amazing the perfectly usable items that end up being discarded. I hope there are no "ghostly spirits" in that building...you might get a call from an empty room :-O

[@retrochad]

@HURLBUT6805 I think in some areas this may be true but not in all areas. I wanted the ability to make occasional local calls or toll-free numbers from the land line (or receive calls if cellphone is not working) in addition to being able to call 911 so I got the cheapest "measured rate" landline plan.

[@TheShutterNinja]

Did you get a FASTRAD unit with the cabinet? If so, you can hook up via a serial port and program the system rather than going through the phone (cumbersome).

[@themaritimegirl]

Chad, if you can read this, did you ever get this system installed?

[@koioo2]

hope we get a update video on this.intresting

[@Comptekhs]

If you have Internet in your building just get one or two magic jacks and hook them up to the PBX. The newer version you do not even need a usb port on a computer. You just need to hook the device up to ethernet plug in the usb power wall wart. Then hook it up to a RJ-11 jack or put one end RJ-11 then the other end hook whater you need to a wall punchdown blocks I think 110.

[@RetroVintageItems27]

Wow!!! That is a really good system your setting up. I prefer 1a2 though. Though what would be cool is if you could take that telephone panel and wire up a couple of phones to in int. com. With those telephone systems youl have a barrel of fun. Ha ha ha Retro

[@cougarsteis]

Did you get this installed anywhere if so can you do an updated video on it

[@DextonNova]

you can program each individual phone with their own extension....these are just the defaults though.

[@TheTarrMan]

We use the exact same phones at work, lol. We hate those things, they keep ringing off the hook, lol.

[@thecooldude9999]

@retrochad Yes 25 pair was the standard for 1a2 phones I have an old stromberg Carlson 1a2, works well

[@Comptekhs]

How many lines can that PBX unit handle four just wondering?

[@redneckbryon]

Dies that system have, voce mail?

[@electricaltech4u45]

How to connect with PC PBX

[@seanjuth]

You could get an obihai device. It allows you to use Google voice which gives you a free number.

[@thecooldude9999]

@HURLBUT6805 In very few areas that is, my TNI has no dial tone

[@JessieMHadaller]

can I have any extra phones if you have any?

[@TheMultiGunMan]

★★★★★ Excellent video sir!

[@NorthernPhonePhan]

Yup, Northern Telecom made a good phone! Of course only from Canada! Once owned by Western Electric, when they were Northern Electric, they BOOMED in buiseness after the bell system divesture, selling phones to the US after instead of only Canada.

[@bsul4546]

Could you please sent me the link for the RJ21 connector wiring diagram? Thanks!!

[@bigb2littleb]

Whats your email and what Nortel system do you have?

[@HURLBUT6805]

don't take my word for it'check it out first. but if you have a landline in your house and no service,you'l still get a dial tone and you can call 911.

[@thecooldude9999]

@Thebluemoonz94 Nope they are digital

[@nathansmith6429]

You got some for free? Im a young kid whos fascinated with phone systems and i want to start a hobby but i have no job. How would i get one of these for free?

[@themaritimegirl]

What a coincidence - I want to get a Norstar system for hobby use as well. :P As far as free goes, you'd have to know the right people I guess. Someone who either works as a technician or who works in a business who happens to be getting rid of one. You can get these on eBay, though. The Norstar CICS, which is the system shown in this video, still fetches a few hundred bucks, but you can sometimes find a Norstar 3x8 or 6x16 for as little as $50 plus shipping.

[@nathansmith6429]

Yeah, its pretty hard for a 14 year old interested in this kind of stuff. I suppose if you ask at a business telephone store, (I live in a big city so there a lots of these) you might get lucky and they will give it to you for nothing or next to nothing.

[@nathansmith6429]

I suppose i am old enough in some places to get a job.

[@themaritimegirl]

I'm adult-ish, but just don't have the money to spend on those kind of things right now. But, anything is up for grabs when Christmas comes, so I'm just biding my time until then, and then I'll probably grab a system on eBay. It's awesome that you're interested in this stuff!

[@jakematthews3941]

Im 18 and i have been fascinated in these since i was 13 and i used to go to the place my grandmother cleaned after hours when the business was closed i used to play with the paging system and stuff. But I bought my first system for $100 it came with a 6x16 ksu and 4 phones and i wired it through my house. I now am 18 and live on my own but still have a system that I purchased when i moved out its a Norstar cics with call pilot and 3 phones for $150 so i wired it through my apartment and keep adding on to it

[@erniememme9145]

how do i change from pulse to tone

[@bigb2littleb]

What type of Nortel system do you have and I can look it up but its someplace in the system settings under lines.

[@ahmedomar6358]

why my Nortel T7316E blink red and there is no display on the phone screen help me please thank you so much

[@bigb2littleb]

What system do you have it plugged in to?

[@NortelGeek]

A business line isn't necessary -- anything with a dialtone will work.

[@themaritimegirl]

He didn't say anything about the PBX needing a business line. He said his building would probably require a business line (it's a warehouse or something).

[@JessieMHadaller]

can I have some of those phones

[@nicholasstearns8296]

Hey Chad I have a norstar phone I think att line For dal out I never I seen anything like this

[@ManiacalMichael504]

@ManiacalMichael504 Search for "Phone Man's Wiring Page," he has a lot of good info on wiring 66-blocks and phone wiring in general.

[@interwebtubes]

This guy really shouldn’t be drinking