Check out our White Paper Series!
A complete library of helpful advice and survival guides for every aspect of system monitoring and control.
1-800-693-0351
Have a specific question? Ask our team of expert engineers and get a specific answer!
Sign up for the next DPS Factory Training!
Whether you're new to our equipment or you've used it for years, DPS factory training is the best way to get more from your monitoring.
Reserve Your Seat TodayIntroduce an alarm and use use your configuration program, Tconfig (DOS) or TalphaW (Windows), in monitor mode to confirm that the alarm has been generated and is qualified. A message will appear on the screen when the Alphamax attempts to deliver a page (because you are using its phone line, it can't actually send it while you are connected).
In your configuration program, confirm the phone number that has been assigned for each pager you are using, confirm which pagers are assigned each alarm, and confirm pager usage (primary or secondary) . Be sure this information has actually been written (downloaded) to the Alphamax - you can do this by reading (uploading) from the Alphamax and viewing the results.
Call the paging facility yourself, from any convenient phone, using the phone number programmed into the Alphamax. A paging system should answer. Wrong numbers are a frequent problem.
If you still have problems, go the location where the Alphamax is installed, unplug the phone line from the Alphamax, plug in an ordinary analog phone, and call the paging facility using exactly the same number your system is set up to call. A paging system should answer. There is often a problem with forgotten factors such as having to dial 1 first to get an outside line, or being in a different area code than you thought you were, or having a long-distance call-blocker on the line, etc. Also verify that the line sounds clean, with no crackling or other noise.
If you still have problems, note exactly how the paging facility responds to calls:
If delivering a numeric page, there is generally a brief voice message after which the numeric message is entered. The Alphamax is usually set up with two commas following the phone number it dials to deliver a numeric page - each comma represents a 5-second delay to step over this voice message. Verify that the delay is appropriate for your system.
If delivering an alpha page, the Alphamax expects to make an immediate modem connection when the facility answers - this comes across as a hissing sound.
These days, many paging facilities are enhancing their service by adding voice messaging capabilities and other features that deviate from these standard dialup sequences. In some cases, the Alphamax can be programmed to work around these exceptions; in other cases the paging facility may have a simplified dialup sequence available if you ask for it.
Incorporating modern remote monitoring tools can dramatically simplify the process of diagnosing and resolving AlphaMax paging issues. Advanced Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) like the NetGuardian G6 series bring the power of real-time data to your fingertips. These units are designed to collect, analyze, and report detailed alarm data directly from your network sites.
For example, instead of manually verifying alarms or phone line clarity, an RTU can alert you immediately when a paging failure occurs. It does this by monitoring key factors like phone line connectivity, voltage levels, and ambient temperature at the AlphaMax's location. If anomalies are detected - such as noisy lines or improper dialing sequences - you'll receive a detailed alarm message via email or SMS, specifying the exact issue.
Additionally, modern RTUs support SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), enabling integration with centralized systems like T/Mon. This allows network managers to oversee all remote locations from a single interface, reducing the need for physical site visits. Furthermore, historical logging capabilities mean that repetitive issues, like delayed dialing due to insufficient pauses, can be flagged and optimized over time.
By deploying remote monitoring devices, AlphaMax users can shift from a reactive troubleshooting approach to proactive system management. This not only enhances paging reliability but also reduces operating costs and downtime. With tools like the NetGuardian G6, you're equipped to resolve problems faster and ensure smooth communication for critical operations.
