EnGenius SN-920 & EP-490 Ultra Cordless Phones

Q0. What is the difference between the SN-920 and the SN-900?

A0. The following grid is a quick list of the key feature changes in the SN-920.

Key Feature Changes	SN-920	SN-900
Base Unit Transmit Power	900 mW	630 mW
Handset Size	40% Smaller	-------
Headset Capability	Adapter Optional	N/A
Battery Type	NiMH	NiCd
Music / Message on Hold	Port	N/A
Call Manager	Each HS by each Base	Each HS only
Easy Access Phone Directory	Yes	Via Menu
Incoming Calling Base / Handset ID	Yes	N/A
User Settable Prefix Dialing	Yes	N/A
Key Guard	Yes	N/A
Active Call Timer	Yes	N/A
Use SN-920 HS with SN-900 System	Yes*	-------
Use SN-900 HS with SN-920 System	Yes*	-------
Belt Clip	Optional	N/A
Leather Carrying Case	Optional	Standard
Spare Battery	Optional	Standard
Max. Line of Site Range**	11 Football fields
Max. In-Building Penetration**	12 Floors	11 Floors

* Some of the new features are not available if used with the SN-900 system.

** The maximum range test were conducted by Wyle Laboratories. The line of site is without any physical impairments.
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Q1. Why is the EnGenius SN-920 ULTRA cordless phone and two-way radio able to get such long range?

A1. The Power: the EnGenius SN-920 Ultra can transmit at up to 900 milliwatts which is about 9 times the power of most cordless phones. This power produces the EnGenius long-range performance.

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Q2. What does Industrial Cordless mean?

A2. Industrial Cordless Phone Systems are designed for demanding business environments. Industrial Cordless Phone Systems offer:

Long-range cordless and two-way capabilities
Secure, private communication utilizing digital spread spectrum with frequency hopping technology of over 200 channels per second
Digital, full-duplex Two-Way Radio communications independent of the base unit
Expandability
External antenna capability
Multiple line capability
Multi-user capability
Call hold and call transfer capabilities

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Q3. Range is important to me; what factors should I look for?

A3. The transmission power of a cordless phone or two-way radio is a reliable indicator of range performance. The EnGenius Phone System can transmit up to 900 milliwatts. Most cordless phone transmits between 80 - 100 milliwatts.

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Q4. Privacy and security are important to me; what features should I look for?

A4. Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS) with random frequency hopping of 200 channels per second or more. In addition, each handset should have a unique security code. The EnGenius Phone System frequency hops at over 200 channel per second and each handset is assigned one of 65,000 unique security codes.

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Q5. Can I add additional users to the EnGenius Industrial Cordless Phone System?

A5. Yes, each EnGenius base can be expanded to support up to 9 handsets per base. Additional bases can be added to support your growth. This allows you to grow the system as your company grows.

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Q6. Can the EnGenius Industrial Cordless Phone System support multiple lines?

A6. Yes, up to 4 bases (4-lines) can be supported by the EnGenius System. This configuration would allow up to 36 handsets to have four line accessibility as-well-as Two-Way (Intercom) radio communication between all 36 handsets.

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Q7. Is special wiring required for the EnGenius Industrial Cordless Phone System?

A7. No, the EnGenius System will work with any standard electrical 120-volt AC wall outlets and any standard analog telephone line port.

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Q8. Would I have to program my handsets in order to use them?

A8. No, the EnGenius Phone Systems handsets come pre-programmed at the factory to operate immediately with the included base unit.

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Q9. Can I use my EnGenius Industrial Cordless Phone System behind my existing PBX / Key telephone system?

A9. Yes, the EnGenius phone system will work off any analog port that complies with FCC Rule part 68.

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Q10. What accessories come with the EnGenius Phone System?

A10. Accessories included with the EnGenius Phone Systems are: (1) Battery pack per handset (1) Long antenna (1) Short antenna (1) Rapid / trickle desktop charger per handset. Additional accessories are sold separately including Spare Battery, Headset Adapter, Leather Carrying Case, Belt Clip and Music On Hold Cable.

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Q11. What is the battery time of the EnGenius Phone System handsets?

A11. The average talk-time is up to three hours on a fully charged battery. The average stand-by time is up to 40 hours on a fully charged battery. With the optional spare battery, you can even change the battery while a caller is on hold.

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Q12. What is the manufacturer's warranty?

A12. One-year limited warranty.

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Q13. What factors affect range of radio wave transmissions?

A13. Many environmental factors may interfere with radio wave transmissions. Some of the more common factors include: trees, buildings, hills, walls, temperature, humidity, other radio transmissions and other obstacles.

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Q14. What can be done to maximize the range performance?

A14. By removing as many obstacles as possible and placing the base and / or antenna as high as possible will enhance the range. Maintain as much line-of-sight transmission as possible.

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Q15. Has the EnGenius Industrial Cordless Phone System passed all the regulatory and safety testing?

A15. Yes, The EnGenius Industrial Cordless Phone System passed all the regulatory and safety testing for the U.S. and Canada.

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Q16. Is the range the same from the base to handset as from handset to handset?

A16. The Base Unit transmitter and transmission power is 900mW while the Handset is at a maximum of 630mW. You can expect longer range from Base to Handset than Handset to Handset.

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Q17. How far should the base units or external antennas be placed apart?

A17. You must maintain a minimum of 30' distance between the SN-920 base units or external antennas. For best results, also maintain a 10 - 15 foot distance between base unit or external antenna and other electrical equipment.

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Q18. If my base has multiple handsets, can I make two-way radio transmissions while someone is making a cordless phone call?

A18. Yes, the two-way radio transmissions are completely independent of the base. In fact you could take several handsets to a remote area away from the base and have two-way radio conversations between the handsets.

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Q19. At such high power how do you get your battery to last up to three hours of talk time?

A19. The EnGenius handsets utilize an advanced power management system to transmit at only the power needed to produce and maintain a clear signal. We transmit at between 80 and 630 milliwatts in one-fifteenth increments.

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Q20. Why do you include two antennas (long and short) with each handset?

A20. Some people prefer the convenience of the short antenna and other people prefer to maximize the range with the long antenna which will provide approximately 20% more range in an open area.

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Q21. How many handsets can be transmitting without incurring interference?

A21. We conducted two test in various size rooms: Test A: Room size: 25 feet x 15 feet - we first experience interference when the 14th handset or 7th simultaneous radio link was established. Test B: Room size: 30 feet x 30 feet - we first experienced interference when the 26th handset or 13th simultaneous radio link was established.

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Q22. How is a new handset added to a system with one base?

A22. A new handset arrives with a handset ID number of 00, to register this handset to your system take the following steps:

On the EnGenius base unit press and hold down both the "Volume" & "Intercom" buttons for about five seconds. You will hear a beep from the base unit. You can now release the two buttons.
On the EnGenius handset (00), press the following buttons: "menu", "6", "1".
A new handset ID number (ie: 12, 13, 14…) is automatically assigned by the base and registration is complete.

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Q23. How is a new handset added to a system with multiple bases?

A23. A new handset arrives with a handset ID number of 00, to register this handset to multiple bases use the following steps:

Locate all bases.
On each of the EnGenius base units press and hold down both the "Volume" & "Intercom" buttons for about five seconds. You will hear a beep from the base unit. You can now release the two buttons.
On the EnGenius handset (00), press the following buttons: "menu", "6", "1".
A new handset ID number is automatically assigned by the base unit and registration is complete.
Repeat steps 2 - 3 at each EnGenius base unit. Note: the handset ID number will not change after initial base registration of the handset.

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Q24. How is an additional EnGenius base added to an EnGenius System?

A24. The EnGenius system can be expanded to create an "extended family" of up to four base units. To add an EnGenius base unit creating an "extended family" please follow these steps:

On the new base unit, press and hold down both the "Volume" and "Intercom" buttons for about five seconds. You will hear a beep from the base unit. You can now release the two buttons.
On a registered EnGenius handset, press the following buttons: "menu", "6", "3", "*". At the following prompt: "Enter base ID (1-4):?" enter a base number not already being used by your system.
All handsets that need access this base or other handset registered to this base, require cross registration to this base. See question "How is a new handset added to a system with multiple bases?"