| N. Albert via plug on 7 Oct 2025 04:25:47 -0700 |
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| Re: [PLUG] VOIP choices |
Grandstream ATAs, typically the HT 8xx series, are generally the "standard" now for an ATA. I don't really like ATAs myself, I prefer TDM/pseudo-TDM with telephony cards or channel banks, but as far as ATAs go, Grandstreams "suck the least" if that makes sense, and do generally have more features than the other manufacturers'.
If you do set up an Asterisk system, I would recommend using Asterisk directly, and *not* the FreePBX GUI frontend. In my opinion, it cripples the experience and abstracts away a lot of the power of Asterisk. Sure, the syntax is a bit peculiar at first, but like anything, you get used to it quickly. There's nothing particularly difficult about it if you're comfortable with the Linux command line and working in text config files. Some people get scared by compiling from source, but I maintain a tool for that[1] which scripts it all and makes it easy for new people.
For the OP, an Asterisk is not necessary and would just add complexity, since the ATA can register directly with the SIP provider, but just wanted to throw that out there.
[1] https://github.com/InterLinked1/phreakscript NA On 10/7/2025 1:29 AM, Jon Wolfe via plug wrote:
*** Sorry, resending to the list. *** I'm also very happy with voip.ms, recommended by our Jonathan D. 1. Check that number can be ported: https://voip.ms/m/didporting.php 2. Create an account: https://voip.ms/ 3. Follow the wiki to transfer the number: https://wiki.voip.ms/article/Porting_a_US_Number4. At some point you need to put some money in the account using paypal or a credit card (minimum $15). I don't know if you can wait until the number is ported. They say that porting is free. Once the number is ported you can already set up an answering machine. 5. Softphone - they have an app for Android/iPhone but there are also Zoiper and others apps.https://wiki.voip.ms/article/VoIP.ms_Softphone6. Optional - buy a VoIP phone. My first was a cheap Chinese brand Yealink. The firmware is not very good. I'm happier with the Siemens DECT phone C610. I'm not sure what brands are available in the US.I also setup a PBX using a Lenovo ThinClient I bought on eBay and FreePBX. My understanding is that this is not necessary if you only want a single extension. In my case it is useful because I am also able to route my normal land line (two trunks) and setup multiple extensions. Mostly once it is setup you don't need to do much fiddling, but of course there are always software updates. I'm sure I spent at least a week learning about the software but I am also doing things like sending SMS messages to XMPP. The "language" is weird. Imagine using .ini files for a programming language.On 10/7/25 03:04, R Geoffrey Avery via plug wrote:It seems my parents will be moving, and just transferring their land line number of almost 40 years is not an option. As that number is their "username" with many businesses by this point, I would rather it not get lost.What are the better choices to move the number without much fuss?I would prefer that it ring like a land line at the house, but they both have android phones now so an app solution can work too.$8 - $15 / month and maybe $100 up front on hardware seems reasonable I want to just set it and forget it and not need to provide support The DuckDuckGo has not been as helpful as I had hoped. In no particular order I have looked at Google Voice Voiply Line2 Ooma Vonage
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