'phone extension

[Chillum]

Why would using a 'phone extension lead cause problems with a broadband modem? Extension's fine, connections are fine, but when using the extension cable, there's a no dial tone error.

[killa]

ok im no expert but i know the longer the extension the longer the signal has to travel in the cable ! also if it is coiled up is make a small magnetic field and drains all the elec from it self , so i suggest as all do make lead as small as possible !

Andy

[Wavy Davy]

Andy is right, but my modem runs fine off an extension.

My main socket is downstairs, but I wanted broadband and a phone upstairs (and keep the other phone downstairs), so I ran a normal phone extension upstairs and attached the splitter and the modem. In the phone socket of the splitter is a 2-way adaptor with a phone and another extension all the way back downstairs.

It's a clumsy system, but a fortunate side effect is that it keeps the cable from splitter to modem short, so maybe that's the key.

One more thing, I've had extension cables that work fine with a phone (so you think the lead is fine), but they fail to engage properly with the modem socket, giving exactly your symptoms.

[Chillum]

Thanks, I was trying to sort it out for a friend last night. The extension lead is one of these long coiled types, so the length may well be the problem. I could only test the extension on the phone input, which was fine but couldn't test the modem input, which could also be the problem. I seem to remember on my own installation instructions, it was recommended not to use an extension. Anyway, thanks for your answers.

[lecheekyworm]

I also run my broadband off an extension lead - it curves round the house for about 50metres and its fine.

[joshuareil]

Use a DSL filter.