BobTheMighty

Howdy folks,

This is my first time dealing with a phone system, though I have the generic idea how everything goes together. The phone system in place is a "Gold Star Tele-electric", probably from the 70s, maybe 80s (though I doubt it).

The phone system in place began dropping accessible extensions(ie, it no longer allows us to get a dial tone from these jacks). I checked the wires, and everything looks fine (ie, I can trace them using a tone and probe, signal strength seems to be sufficient), checked the obvious stuff (all the cables are connected in the proper order, fuses on the pbx are all fine, phone works on a different jack), but still it won't work. There is no manual, and the technician that came out to see if he could fix it just kinda shook his head and suggested a new system

So now I'm pricing phone systems. Their requirements are extremely basic:
- 10 extensions
- 6-8 outgoing lines (max, may drop them to 2-3 lines 10 months of the year)
- voice mail
- night ringer to drop everything to receptionist's voice mail


That's basically it. The current system is I suppose a KTS, and I would like to keep whatever is put in place as simple as possible. There is no need to have much upgrade potential, as they are only minimally using what they have in place, and the group will never increase in size. They use the office for phone canvassing during elections, but other than that there are 2 people in the office full time.

One company I was talking to suggested a Nortel BCM 50 setup, but due to the simplicity of the office's requirements, I thought that might be overkill. (also, the cost to have it installed was a little more than double what they were willing to spend.)

So, finally, my questions:

Is replacing the system they have in place something, as a technically inclined but non-trained pbx installer, I can do for them? (as a note, I've done computer network administration for a few years, it can't be too different from that, can it?)

Would the BCM50 be recommended? By ordering it online, I can get everything they need for about $5000 cheaper than the installer quoted. There will be no cable running necessary.

Can you recommend any other systems that would service their very basic needs, that might be easier to set up or will prove more reliable than the BCM 50?

I thank you folks for any insight, I've been bashing my head against walls trying to figure this one out for a couple weeks now. Mostly because of the "artistic" wiring that was put into place. I have pictures, oh, yes, I have pictures. (if anyone wants to cry over a poor wiring job, let me know, I can post some of them)

/Bob