Group Call (Pulse)

The Group Call feature

The Pulse system supports 4 group calls.

A group call is activated by dialing the appropriate code (e.g. 84). A ding-dong signal is heard in all member stations.

• Press the M-key to speak.
• Press C-key to disconnect.

- Note 1: As from firmware version 4.7 an Answer function (Meet Me) is available for Group Calls.

- Note 2: Group call audio can be received by STENTOFON IP stations only. Third party SIP phones cannot receive nor initiate group calls.

Default group call settings

The factory default settings for group calls are as follows:

Nickname (Display text)	Directory number	Priority	Station members
All call	84	Emergency	All stations
Group call 1	85	High	None
Group call 2	86	Normal	None
Group call 3	87	Low	None

When adding a new station to an existing Pulse system, the station will automatically become a member of the All call group.

Configuration of group calls

The group call properties are configured via the Pulse Server.

• Use a web browser and log into the Pulse Server station (e.g. 169.254.1.99)
• Select Server Management > Group call

Group call configuration

• Change the parameters for each group are required:

• • Nickname: This is the display text shown in the initiating station when the group call is activated. Can be any text.
  • Directory number: The number to dial to activate the group call. If changed, a reboot of the Pulse Server is required for the changes to take effect.
  • Priority: A group call with higher priority will override a lower priority group call.
    • LOW/NORMAL: The group call audio is not played if there is an ongoing conversation
    • HIGH: The group call audio is mixed with conversation audio
    • EMERGENCY: Conversation audio will be muted. Includes a Volume and handset override feature. The volume is turned to maximum level on all receiving stations, and the audio comes out of the loudspeaker even if the handset is off-hook.
  • Stations in group: Select the stations to be group members. You can select all stations in one operation by checking Add all stations box.
  • Save: There is a Save button for each group call. Remember to press Save before you make changes to the next group call.

Troubleshooting

Q: When making a group call, the ding-dong is heard in the stations, but no audio.

A1: The problem is that the multicast audio does not reach the stations, which may be because of two things:

1. If the stations are using static IP address you need to set the Gateway address for all stations. Login to the Pulse Server, go to Main Settings and set the Gateway address to be the Pulse Server IP Address (unless you have a real gateway). Go to Server Management -> Server Configuration, click “Save” then “Apply”. Now all stations should have a gateway address.
2. The network switch may drop multicast packets (For example Linksys ”business series” switches drops all multicast packets with default configuration). If this is the problem you will need to check the manual for the network switch.

A2: Third party SIP phones cannot initiate group calls. Ding-dong is transmitted, but there will be no audio. Reason being that in group call the calling station distributes audio using multicast, which is not supported by 3rd party SIP phones.