When I am talking on my Visys 25204 the conversation dies for 15 to 20 seconds and then comes back. Do you know why?

Since you declined to specify the model of your RCA ViSYS 2-line phone, I can only suggest that you select it from this page to download a copy of the manual.

RCA ViSYS 2-Line Phone (25255RE2)

Here's the manual for your 2-line phone:
http://www.rca4business.com/products/pc/pdf/instruction-book/25255RE2.pdf

refer to pages 40-43 of your manual for "Answering System Operation."

To enable your Answering System, press and hold the "ans sys" button for 2 seconds.
The "ans sys" button indicator will flash.

To disable your Answering System, press and hold the same button for 2 seconds.
The "ans sys" button indicator will go off.

you may have the settings of your ViSYS to so that the phone knows the area code of the phone already.
If so, that will make the caller id display only the 7 digit local phone number. This is so you can easily call back that number, since most telephone exchanges don't require the area code before the phone number if the caller is in your local calling area.

Have you contacted your phone company to see if they are causing the cross talk?

There is a battery box that holds 4 AAA batteries. It's down under. Not easy tospot but it's there. However, I added fresh batteries and it stil says replace battery. I'd like ot know how to turn off the message.

It could be that you have Minute Minder turned on. Go to Settings > Call and check to see if you have 'Min. Minder' turned on.

Two possibilities:

1. Do you have DSL service on one of the lines? This can cause line noise.

2. You may have crosstalk between the lines OR between the lines and an AC power line. The phone lines need to be run with Category 5 wiring, which is twisted and shielded to prevent lne noise leakage.

I have the same problem. I cannot believe I wasted $70 this stupid phone. No more RCA ever.

I really doubt that the phone system is at fault here.

wow..that's a cool feature..did you program it that way?

good thing it doesn't just bring them into the same conversation(autoconferencing)..

so is this an issue or are you just letting us know?