Skype/VoIP Phone Adapter

This free and open project was created and shared in order to assist in finding a cheap method of using VoIP with old or new wired or wireless phones. You can publish it anywhere if it may be useful to people.

ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE FREE CALLS WITHOUT A COMPUTER (USING GIZMO)

NEW MODIFIED BY Carson VERSION!

Comment:

I have solved the echo problem with your original interface circuit and
I have attached a scan of the revised interface.
The echo problem is solved by moving the ground point of the audio card
to the junction of the two resistors as shown in the attached schematic.

Just a couple of points:

1. For telephones that require loop current, the 9v battery of this
interface will supply about 18ma loop current .
  Loop current = 9v / (300ohm + DC Resistance of telephone). typical
telephone DC resistance is around 200 ohms.
  Some cordless phones will work without the 9v battery.

2. I found that with my Ensoniq ES1370 PCI audio card, the Mic audio
level had to be reduced.
   This was reduced by R3 and I found that 200K ohm resistor did the
trick.
   Others may have to experiment with R3 in the 100K to 690K range.


Now all that is needed is a add-on circuit for ringing.
 
Old versions (have echo problem)
>> USB version (you don't need external or battery supply)
 

It's a very cheap Skype/VoIP interface to your wired or wireless phone.

Just imagine: You can walk with your wireless phone chatting with Skype friends for free, you can make free call to your mom if she is connected to the Internet. You can make your telephone network with servises, voicemail, etc and chat there using your old phone. Skype wireless phones are expensive, VoIP adapters cost ~$60, but you can make it for free if your have details.. from old TV, Radio or other electronics.

Additional information you can get using Google, as I did :)

You can use such variants as:

1. Using your own PBX (Computer-based telephone station).

Old PC computer as server in your basement and wired/wireless phone.

Software: Windows XP + VMware (running Asterisk@Home 2) + X-Lite softphone + this interface + wired/wireless phone.

Advantages:

  • Most configurable system, dialplans, billing systems, text-to-speech, web-access, web-administration, operator panels and many many other things with Asterisk PBX.
  • Walk around the house with wireless phone and speaking for free with your friends.

Disadvantages:

  • Requires skills with Asterisk, Linux, VMware.
  • Requires fast PC with many RAM for VMware emulating.
  • Always running PC consumes electricity

2. Using Skype

PC + Skype + this interface + wired/wireless phone.

Advantages:

  • Very simple.
  • Walk around the house with wireless phone and speaking for free with your friends.

Disadvantages:

  • Use only Skype network, you cannot make your own telephone empire :)
  • Always running PC consumes electricity

3. Using X-Lite softphone

PC+ X-Lite + this interface + wired/wireless phone.

Advantages:

  • VoIP SIP calls , if your have own running Asterisk server in your telephone empire it can be useful, or use your VoIP operator.
  • Walk around the house with wireless phone and speaking for free with your friends.

Disadvantages:

  • Always running PC consumes electricity

1st variant: Using your own PBX (Computer-based telephone station).

You need:

Windows, VMware, Asterisk@Home,Chat-Cord@DialerXT (1.1.0), X-Lite ( 2.0.1103a)

  1. Make new virtual machine in VMware->Typical->Linux->Give a name for example A@H2-> Next, next, next...
  2. Double click on CD-ROM in Properties of this Virtual Machine, choose Use ISO Image, choose your downloaded Asterisk@home iso.
  3. Run virtual machine, clicking Play button.
  4. Asterisk@Home automatically installs. Default account is root, password is password
  5. When you log in, you will see your IP address or type ifconfig.
  6. You can access there using browser, for example http://192.168.0.30. AMP account is maint and password is password
  7. Make SIP account in sip.conf for your softphone X-Lite (http://your.server.ip -> Asterisk Management Portal (AMP) ->Maintenance -> Config Edit -> sip.conf and insert this:

    [201]
    type=friend
    host=dynamic
    username=201
    secret=201
    dtmfmode=inband
    context=local-access
    callerid="Your Name "
    mailbox=201
    nat=yes

    201 is your new number, secret = 201 is your password. You can add friend to your network using same things. OK, click Update, click /etc/asterisk at top to return to folder

  8. Make extension for your softphone X-Lite in extensions.conf

    9. ;<201>
    exten => 201,1,Ringing
    exten => 201,2,Dial(SIP/201,40)
    exten => 201,3,Voicemail(u${EXTEN})
    exten => 201,4,Hangup
    exten => 201,102,Voicemail(b${EXTEN})
    exten => 201,103,Hangup

  9. Install and run your X-Lite, in properties put your username and password what you have entered below, SIP Proxy IP. Make sure that it works.
  10. Now Xlite can use your VoIP server for making calls to your friends
  11. Connect your home-made adapter to your Mic input and Speaker out and to your wired/wireless phone
  12. Install and configure Chat-Cord@DialerXT. Now when it is calibrated you can dial and speak using your wired/wireless phone.
  13. Enjoy it :)

2nd variant: Using Skype

You need:

Windows, Skype, Chat-Cord@DialerSK (2.1.0)

  1. Connect your home-made adapter to your Mic input and Speaker out and to your wired/wireless phone
  2. Install and configure Chat-Cord@DialerSK. Now when it is calibrated you can dial and speak using your wired/wireless phone.
  3. Enjoy :)

3rd variant: Using X-Lite softphone

You need:

Windows, Chat-Cord@DialerXT (1.1.0), X-Lite ( 2.0.1103a)

  1. Connect your home-made adapter to your Mic input and Speaker out and to your wired/wireless phone
  2. Install and configure Chat-Cord@DialerXT. Now when it is calibrated you can dial and speak using your wired/wireless phone.
  3. Enjoy :)

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