Clicking on phone line

[Brooklin]

We are hearing intermittent clicking on a couple of phones in the house. The phones are cordless and it has been going on for about a week. A corded phone on the main floor is okay. It's happening on two different cordless phone sets (and brands).

I took a couple phones to the basement to the Bell box (NID?) and a corded phone seemed okay. . The cordless phone still clicked connected directly to the Bell box.

I'm afraid when I call the phone company for service the repairman will hook up his phone and say it's okay and that it's my problem with cordless phones.

Any ideas. Thanks in advance.

[Eigenvector]

It is the cordless phones.

The reception is probably not up to snuff or there is noise on the line from either a DSL connection or electrical interference from an adjacent house.

DSL connections are notoriously noisy on cordless phones.

[lee houston]

Well, surprise, surprise. Of course 'bell' will say it's your problem with the cordless, because it IS your problem. Their *wired* service to you seems to be fine. You are introducing a radio link which is subject to RFI (radio frequency interference). Any of many RFI sources could be interfering- garage door openers, wireless modems, other cordless phones, ham operators, X10 remote devices, etc, etc.

Why in the world are you having the phone co check this? seems to me to be a no brainer that it's not their fault. You've already shown this with a corded phone.

lee

[mm]

That's me. You weren't supposed to notice.

Not to self: Order new equipment. Bill Department of Agriculture.

Well of course he will. You just said it was ok in the previous paragraph!

The cordless phone could have many reasons for clicking. I just tried mine and it's clicking too. It's a new used phone with a weak battery. It won't make contact with the phone line, but it does know how to click.

[terry]

. Agree. The telco service sounds fine (no clicking). So not their problem or cost! The cordless phone or phones, whoever supplied them or wherever bought seem to be affected by some sort of radio interference? Interference picked up by their built in antenna or, as a remote possibility through the electrical wiring of the building since it powers the cordless phone cradle units; probably using plug in wall- warts? Find the source of the interference yourself. Not likely to be anything to do with the telco. In our case we have a Remington electric shaver (it's not even a rechargeable), which when plugged in, not even in use, generates an electrical click several times a second. But we have another Remington that does NOT generate clicks. Other sources could be light dimmers, microwave clocks, door openers or any of the multitude of 'gadgets' around us these days. e.g. a faulty fluorescent fixture, flashing electric sign etc. etc. A portable radio may help you find the source of the interference.

[h_k]

GWB is tapping your line.