OT-Revisited, Maintenance Communications

[rkicklighter]

I posted this topic a while back and didn't get much response. It's came back up on my end so trying again.

Looking for a communications device for use during startup, commissioning and maintenance functions. My work is mostly Military and in areas where normal forms of communications will not work. Think control rooms built in huge Faraday cages or across decks and bulkheads of steel hull ships.

What all these areas do have in common is redundant, managed Ethernet gigabit switches mounted in every cabinet all on a fiber backbone. Before anyone says anything, the network and switches belong to our install, I designed and have total control over the network so no IT department to be complaining.

What I'm looking for is something to plug into that network that allows simple, two way communications between two points. Something we can move from place to place. Preferably something with headsets for use in noisy areas.

I have talked to Barix and several radio companies but have found nothing yet. RF and WiFi are out period, they will not work, end of that discussion. Already had Motorola and a couple of others try.

I can find plenty of things that require a dedicated computer running some sort of software but would rather not go that route either. This needs to be portable and rugged.

Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Honestly tired of searching Google and talking to business intercom people.

 

[V0N_hydro]

POTS to fibre converters with old indestructable telephone?



https://www.transition.com/lines/media-converters-extenders-nids/protocol/pots/

 

[LoganB]

Maybe something like this?

https://www.vocality.com/radio-to-sip/

 

[shawn_75]

I suggested Barix last time you asked this. I'm guessing that they're either not willing to do a custom firmware for your application or you are looking for off-the-shelf. Are you wanting to connect to the fiber or to the switch port?

If you want it rugged and plug-and-play, you're probably going to have to build it yourself. There's lots of possibilities available with a Raspberry Pi, a USB sound card, and a small headphone amplifier. That would work for the switch port connection.

American Fibertek makes good stuff. They have transceivers that will do bidirectional audio over fiber. You'd still need to add a power supply and headphone amp. This would work for the fiber only connectivity.

Shawn

 

[rkicklighter]

Shawn, I did talk with Barix and they could do a custom job but they really didn't want to and the cost would have been prohibitive.

My desire has been to use switch ports for this. Fiber may be a possibility also. I have spare fiber in each cabinet also. Might be able to designate one pair specifically for this.

I'll check into your suggestion along with those from Logan and Von.

Thanks!

 

[Mad_Poet]

Dear Rick,
In the building I work in, 'they' had Cox communications replace our old
phone system with a new phone system that works over cat-5 cabling
through network switch ports. The phones have to 'boot up' when
installed. I would imagine they are also 'Power over Ethernet' . . .
Poet.

 

[drforsythe]

I second Mad_Poet's sentiment. A local VoIP phone system could be set up. I do not know the cost or the details of what it would take to set something up like that. Some device on your network would need to be the server, but again, I don't know the details. Have you searched for an inexpensive, local VoIP phone system?

 

[geniusintraining]

I have used a lot Viking products, they are rock solid and they may have something, check there Voice Over IP products... you may check to see if they have a gate/entry box and then you would have the inside station, then just put them in a small enclosure ?

https://www.vikingelectronics.com/product-categories/voip-communication/

Give them a call, I have been dreaming up stuff with their products for the past 10 years

 

[rkicklighter]

Thanks guys! Actually Viking may have something, going to call them at first chance.

 

[Phil Buchanan]

Hubbell GAI-Tronics https://www.hubbell.com/gai-tronics/en/

They have what you need and I know their ATEX Units have headset jacks because I used them in a project last year and we purchased the locking enclosures to put them in.

Take a look here on page 10 and you will see the ATEX units and you can use any rugged headset. I think they have a few offerings on the rugged headsets.

https://hubbellcdn.com/brochure/GTC-Brochure-140201.pdf

You will also need a VoIP phone system controller. You can buy a small Cisco UC or use something Asterisk based if you need some cheaper. if you go Asterisk I like to use Digium products.

You only need a small / Cheap VoIP gateway if you are just doing an internal comms system and not connecting to and SIP Trunks.

https://www.digium.com/products/asterisk/hardware

I have also used RoIP solutions for situations like yours many times. For RoIP I like to use Vocality hardware.

RoIP is used a lot in plants to connect the maintenance and production teams radios into the plant phone system for paging and emergency notification.

https://www.vocality.com/radio-to-sip/

https://www.vocality.com/vocality-roip

This is their portable solution https://www.vocality.com/vocality-radio-over-ip

 

[rpoet]

Raspberry Pi on your network running a local VIOP PBX:


http://www.raspberry-asterisk.org/


http://nerdvittles.com/?p=21255



Pick up a couple of cheap VOIP phones, and you're all set.






-rpoet