FAX-1820C
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FAQs & Troubleshooting |
How do I set up an answering machine (TAD) to work on the same line as my Brother machine?
You can set up an external answering machine to share the line with your Brother machine by following the instructions listed below.
Please note that the following steps pertain to physical telephone answering devices (TADs) only. If you use a voice mail service instead of a physical TAD, you may experience problems receiving faxes and voice messages. Voice mail service cannot successfully share a telephone line with the Brother machine, as either the voice mail or the Brother machine will always take control of the call depending on which one answers first.
Physically connecting the TAD to the Brother machine
- Connect a telephone cord from the jack labeled LINE on the Brother machine directly to the telephone jack in the wall.
- Connect another telephone cord from the jack labeled Telephone Line on the answering machine to the jack labeled EXT on the Brother machine.
Putting the Brother machine in External TAD Mode
- Press the Fax key if it is not illuminated in green.
- Press the Menu/Set , 0 (Initial Setup), 1(Receive Mode).
- Press the Up or Down Arrow key to select External TAD.
- Press the Menu/Set key to confirm your choice.
- Press the Stop/Exit key to exit the menu. To the right of the date and time, the LCD will display "TAD", indicating that the Brother machine is in External TAD mode.
How External TAD mode works
When someone dials your telephone/fax number (to send a fax or to speak to you), every telephone sharing the line (including the Brother machine) will ring according to the number of rings you set on the TAD. If you do not answer the call, the TAD will answer. As your outgoing message is playing, the Brother machine is in the background, silently listening for fax tones. If the Brother machine hears fax tones, it will automatically respond and receive the incoming fax. If the Brother machine does not hear fax tones, it remains silent, allowing the caller to leave a message.
Setting the number of rings and the outgoing message
It is recommended that you set the number of rings on the TAD to 2 or 3. The maximum number of rings allowed is 4, but 4 rings is not recommended. When faxes are being sent, fax tones are transmitted for approximately 35 seconds. If it takes the TAD too long to answer, the transmitting fax machine may disconnect before your Brother machine answers the call. We also recommend the TAD's outgoing message be a maximum of 20 seconds with a 5-second pause before the message starts. You should also end your message by giving your Fax Receive Code for people sending manual faxes. For example, "After the beep, leave a message or to send a fax press * 5 1 then the Start button." When they press * 5 1, it will create a fax signal for their machine to send.
We recommend beginning your outgoing message with 5 seconds of silence because the Brother machine cannot detect over a loud or resonant voice. You can try omitting this pause, but if your machine has trouble receiving, we recommend that you re-record your outgoing message with the pause included.
Easy Receive
All Brother fax machines are preprogrammed in the factory with an Easy Receive feature set to "ON". When you use this feature, you don't have to press the Black Start key, the Color Start key, or the Fax Receive Code (* 5 1), when you answer a fax call on an extension telephone. Wait until you hear the Brother machine's fax receiving tones and then hang up the handset.
The Brother machine will do the rest.
To set Easy Receive
- Press the Fax key if it is not illuminated in green.
- Press Menu/Set, 2 (Fax), 1 (Setup Receive), 3 (Easy Receive).
- Press the Up or Down Arrow key to select "ON".
- Press the Menu/Set key to confirm your choice.
- Press the Stop/Exit key to exit the menu.
