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Common Questions From Users


Change of Email Address

Question:
I changed my email address. Do you need to know that ?

Answer:
Absolutely. We use your email address to send you a notice when anyone leaves you a Voicemail message. If you changed your email address you won't get that notice, and our servers will also start encoring numerous “Failed Message” email bounces from your old email address. That just puts an unnecessary load on our servers as well as an unnecessary workload on our staff to track down you to get your correct email address.


Why Is My Ext. Number So Long

Question:
My friends have 4 or 5 digit extension numbers. Why is mine 10 digits ?

Answer:
In the early days of Hamshack Hotline there was just one server and we issued four digit extension numbers.

Then, Hamshack Hotlines popularity started to increase and we soon ran out of four digit numbers. So, we added 5 digit extension numbers to our system and also added more servers to load balance calls around the globe.

At that time, regional extension number assignments were established to distinguish callers to their specific region of the world. We created specific HHUS numbers for the North and South America region. We also created HHEU numbers for the European region, and HHAP numbers for the Asia/Pacific region. Additionally we added the HHUX experimental server for unsupported devices. The thought process (at that time) was that five digit extension numbers would be all that was needed, and by designating the starting digit to a specific region, users could determine what geographic region of the globe a caller was coming from simply by their extension number.

Then, Hamshack Hotline's popularity exploded and the admins were quickly burning through all the five digit extension number assignments for specific servers. Yes, we were running out of numbers again.

So, to somewhat “future-proof” the need for more numbering schemes to be added to all the servers, in August of 2021 Hamshack Hotline implemented the ten digit extension numbers on all servers. Using ten digit extension numbers would ensure that we did not have to add more dialing plans to the servers for several decades to come.

So, when you get a new extension number and you see that you have a ten digit number, it's not a mistake.

And yes, all extension numbers on all servers, regardless of the length of the extension number, can still call all other extension numbers on any of servers.

So, that's the story of how Hamshack Hotline came to now issue ten digit extension numbers.


Can I call "Regular" Phone Numbers

Question:
I keep hearing rumors that I can use Hamshack Hotline to call my regular home or office phone, and use my regular home or office phone to call my Hamshack Hotline Extension number. Is this true ?

Answer:
No. That is a false rumor.

Hamshack Hotline is not connect to the PSTN (Regular Phone) system. You can't use your Hamshack Hotline extension number and call your house. And you can not take your traditional home phone and call your Hamshack Hotline extension number.

Hamshack Hotline is a PRIVATE voip phone system for Amateur Radio Operators (HAMS) only.

And remember, your Hamshack Hotline number is not a real phone number, even with 10-digits. It's just an extension number in our big Hamshack Hotline (metaphoric) building.


Custom BLF Display

Question:
On the BLF webpage, I see custom names, like “East Coast Reflector”.
Can I get a custom display for my RF extension or Audio Extension ?

Answer:
Yes. Simply place a ticket with us. Let us know your RF extension number or Audio Extension number and what custom name you want added. We might have a question or two, but we usually can now accommodate adding some custom descriptions to the name fields


Can I get a "Ring Group" number

Question:
I see in the phone book where some users are part of a 'ring group'. Can a start a 'ring group' ?

Answer:
No. We no longer support new Ring Groups. We will still support the existing Ring Groups for now, but even the existing Ring Groups may be dissolved at some future date.

faq.txt · Last modified: 2024/02/10 23:00 by kg6baj