JK Audio THAT-2 User Manual

THAT-2

Telephone Handset Audio Tap

User Guide

JK Audio

Features

The name THAT-2 stands for "Telephone Handset Audio
Tap" which is a perfect description of this product. Simply

install THAT-2 between the handset and the base of your
telephone and you will be able to record audio from the
telephone and send audio into the telephone.

To Phone Jacks

There are two input jacks on THAT-2. You can use either
the red RCA phono jack on the front or the female XLR
jack on the back. These are line level inputs for signals
that you want to send down the phone line. These jacks
can be connected to an audio output such as the
headphone output jack on a tape recorder, the line output
of a PC audio card, or the line output from a CD player or
audio mixer.

From Phone Jacks

There are two output jacks on THAT-2. Both the white
RCA phono jack on the front, and the male XLR jack
carry the same signal.

These mic level output jacks provide a mix of both sides
of the conversation. In other words, whatever you send
down the phone line will come back on these jacks mixed
with the audio from the other side of the call. This mix
ratio is not adjustable. It is a function of the telephone,
not our product. As it turns out, this is a suitable mix ratio
for most applications.

2

Connection

THAT-2 connects between the handset and the base of
your telephone. Follow these simple steps…

1. Unplug the modular handset cord from the base of
your telephone.

2. Using the black handset jumper cord that we have
provided, connect the Telephone jack of THAT-2 to
the handset jack on the base of your telephone.

3. Plug your telephone’s handset cord and handset into
the Handset jack on THAT-2.

4. Connect your audio equipment to the line input and
output jacks on THAT-2.

Not for use with telephones that have a keypad in the
handset.

Handset w/
modular plug

Telephone line
to wall jack

Audio equipment or
powered speakers or
computer Mic input

3

Operation

The supplied adapter cable allows you to take the left
channel from a 1/8" stereo headphone or mono
microphone jack and attach it to the RCA jack on THAT-2.

Handset Type Switch
The three position switch on the front of THAT-2 selects
the type of microphone that is in the handset of your
telephone. When you push the Line In button in, THAT-2
replaces the handset microphone signal with a circuit that
must match the characteristics of the handset
microphone.

The Handset Type switch can cover the main three
microphone types, but keep in mind that there is no
industry standard for microphone types or characteristics
and therefore we cannot guarantee a perfect match with
every telephone. There is no way to tell which type of mic
is in your telephone handset. Sim ply use the position that
sounds best without clipping or sign al br ea k-up.

Switch Position Handset Microphone Type
A Electret
B Dynamic
C Carbon

Note: Not all telephones are built alike so we cannot

guarantee THAT-2 will work with every handset
design available. We designed the interface to
work with most popular designs.

4

Operation

The Handset / Line In button selects which signal will
be sent down the phone line; the handset
microphone, or the line input jack.

When the Handset / Line In button is out, you can use
the handset to speak and listen as you normally would.
The sound that you hear on the handset is always
available on the From Phone output jack.

With the button in, the handset mic is disconnected and
the line input is connected to send audio signals down
the phone line.

You can also use the Handset / Line In button to turn off
the handset mic if you are listening to the line output
signal over a loudspeaker. This will prevent feedback
between the handset microphone and loudspeaker. In
any case you can always listen over the handset
receiver.

We designed this interface to work with most popular
telephone designs. If a conflict arises it will typically be
on the line input side. If you a ttempt to send v oice band
signals down the line input jack and the distant party
complains that the level is too loud or severely distorted
(clipping), try to lower the transmit signal on your audio
equipment. If this does not help, discontinue use
immediately.

5

FAQs

? How do I use a microphone with the THAT-2?
! THAT-2 needs a “Line level” signal to send audio

down the phone line. You will either have to use a
microphone pre-amplifier or a mic mixer.

? I have everything connected correctly. Why can’t

the caller hear me?

! Check the setting of the A-B-C switch (See page 4).

Also, you cannot use the speakerphone function on
your telephone during your recording. THAT-2 ac­cesses the audio through the handset cord. With the
speakerphone turned on, there is no audio going
through the handset.

? I'm using THAT-2 for interview recording and

playback over the telephone. Every time I press
in the gray button I get a loud squeal and feed­back. How do I fix this?

! Try changing the setting of the ABC handset selector

switch. If the handset type is not set correctly you
could get the feedback you are describing. Trial and
error works best to find the right handset type but this
info also may help. Handset Types:

• A=Electret

• B=Dynamic

• C=Carbon

6

FAQs

? What is the gray pushbutton on THAT-2 used for?
! The button is used to select which audio signal will

be sent into the telephone.

OUT = talking on the handset
IN = sending audio through the RCA jack
Keep in mind that you cannot send audio into the

RCA jack and talk on th e handset at the same ti me.
However, any audio sent into the phone can be
heard on the handset and is available on the RCA
output jack at all times.

? I have been using my THAT-2 for recording and it

works great but when I try to send audio down
the line it won’t work.

! Several things could be causing this problem: First

you must send a line level signal into the “To Phone”
jack on THAT-2. Second , make sure the gray but ton
is in the “In” position. Th is disables the handset mic
and enables the audio input. Third, check the ABC
switch setting.

? I have the audio “From Phone” connected to a

powered speaker. How can I get more volume?

! The output of THAT-2 is at mic level and may need a

pre-amp before being connected to your speakers.

7

FAQs

? We're using THAT-2 to get caller audio to broad-

cast on our call in radio show. It works but we'd
like to get better sound quality. What do we do?

! THAT-2 was not really designed to do what you're

talking about. As you said, it works but not very well.
You should consider getting an in nkeeper digital hy­brid. The innkeeper was designed specifically for this
purpose.

? Can I get an adapter that will allow me to connect

THAT-2 to the wall jack instead of the phone?

! No, THAT-2 doesn’t replace your phone, but works in

conjunction with it. You will need to plug it in between
the telephone base and the telephone handset.

8

Specifications

Line Input:
Connector:
Unbalanced RCA Phono Jack
Balanced XLR female
Input Impedance 600 - 9k ohms
Level 250 mV RMS, 12 dBu max,
(-10 dBu nom)

Line Output:
Connector:
Unbalanced RCA Phono Jack
Balanced XLR male
Output Impedance 0 - 2.5k ohms
Level 100 mV RMS, -18 dBu nom

Isolation from phone line: 1500 Volts
Handset and Telephone connectors:

Modular 4pin/4wire RJ-22 handset jacks
designed to work with most electret,
dynamic and carbon handsets.

Size: 4.5” x 3.2” x 1.3” (11.4 x 8.2 x 3.3 cm)
Weight: 9 ounces (250 grams)
Included: One 18” RCA male to 3.5 mm male

One 18” RJ22 handset cable

9

FCC Registration

Your new JK Audio product has been registered with the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This
product complies with the standards in Part 68 of the FCC
rules. The FCC requires us to provide the following
information:

1. Connection and use with the nationwide telephone

network

The FCC requires that you connect this telephone

equipment to the national telephone network through a
FCC registered telephone.

This equipment may not be used with Party Line

Service or Coin Telephone Lines.

2. Information for the telephone company
Upon request from your local telephone company, you

are required to provide the following information:
a) The "line" to which you will connect the telephone

equipment (that is, your telephone number), and

b) The telephone equipment's FCC registration

number. This can be found on the bottom of your
telephone equipment.

3. Repair Instructions
If it is determined that your telephone equipment is

malfunctioning, the FCC requires that it not be used

10

FCC Registration

and that it be unplugged from the modular outlet until
the problem has been corrected.

Repairs to this telephone equipment can only be made

by the manufacturer or its authorized agents or by
others who may be authorized by the FCC. For repair
procedures, follow the instructions outlined under the
warranty section of the manual.

4. Rights of the telephone company

If telephone equipment is causing harm to the network,

the telephone company may temporarily discontinue
your telephone service. If possible, they will notify you
before they interrupt service. If advanced notice is not
practical, you will be notified as soon as possible. You
will be given the opportunity to correct the problem,
and you will be informed of your right to file a complaint
with the FCC.

Your telephone company may make changes in its

facilities, equipment, operations or procedures that
could affect the proper functioning of your JK Audio
product. If such changes are planned, you will be
notified.

If this telephone equipment is to be used with a

telephone that is leased or owned by another party,
permission to connect this telephone equiment to their
telephone must first be obtained.

11

Warranty

The model THAT-2 is covered by a 2 year warranty to be
free from defective workmanship and materials. In the
event that the THAT-2 needs repair, you must call us to
get an authorization, and then carefully pack and ship it to
us. You will pay for shipping to us and we will pay for
return back to you, UPS ground. No free repairs will be
made if the defect was caused by misuse, weather
conditions, or other cause, except for defective
workmanship or materials. THERE ARE NO
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES WHICH
EXTEND BEYOND THE WARRANTY HERE MADE.

0212

JK Audio, Inc. 1311 E 6th Street, Sandwich, IL 60548 USA

Voice: [phone] Toll Free: 800-JK-Audio

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail] www.jkaudio.com

©

Copyright

2008 JK Audio, Inc. All rights reserved.