Metro Tel Corp Model TPM32 Digit Grabber

[DavePEI]

I have ordered a used Metro Tel Corp Model TPM32 Digit Grabber on eBay. It was ordered in unknown working condition, and has not yet been received. This device was used, for example, to verify the digits dialed by a touch tone phone. It will also display TT dial timing and timing of a pulse dial. The digits dialed will be placed on the display screen and scroll as they are dialed. There are other functions, and this should be a useful tool if it is in working condition.

This is unlike the test given by a BK or Radio Shack tester - they display one digit at a time. This tests to closer tolerance, and will display  full numbers on its screen. It will also show the timing of a pulse dial. It will give the PPM on the left hand side of the screen, and the make-break ratio on the right. A great way to make sure a dial is within specs.

I hope I will be able to report when I get it that it works perfectly - time will tell... It is powered by a 9 volt battery, and manufacture of them has been discontinued.

Dave

[dsk]

  Seems like a nice tool.
Is it batteries like this: http://tinyurl.com/8z36ho9
They are commonly used here. (in Norway)

dsk

[DavePEI]

Seems like a nice tool.
Is it batteries like this: http://tinyurl.com/8z36ho9
They are commonly used here. (in Norway)

dsk

As far as I know. They are the standard 9 volt battery here. But I can't be 100% certain, as the Grabber hasn't arrived yet - it was just sent out a couple of days ago..

I have been watching them for a while - one seller had a bunch of them they sold for $50 BIN, and I missed them, and my seller had one untested which he was looking for $75 for - and I got it for the best offer price of $55. Now, that could boomerang on me if it doesn't work. He said there was a slight rattle in it, and I am hoping that was just because the battery is moving around inside it. I can certainly use it is it arrives in good shape.

The testers were several hundred dollars new.

Dave

[gpo706]

Like so -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tele-Products-Monitel-II-Telephone-Line-Monitor-LD-DTMF-Digit-Grabber-/380483256030?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item589691bede

[DavePEI]

Neat to see what essentially would be the UK version!

Dave

[DavePEI]

My Digit Grabber arrived today. The seller had told me that it had a severe rattle inside and that he was selling it as non-working. Well, though it made me nervous, and made me offer less than his BIN, he accepted the offer, once I explained why I was offering less.

So, it was with much trepidation when I got it - first thing I did was open it to see what was causing the rattle. The internal speaker had come unglued, and was rattling inside the case. I re-fastened it using double sided tape, closed it up, installed a new battery, made up a temporary test cord to connect the line and the phone to, and gave it a try. Lo, the digits rolled in and across the screen.

I haven't played with the diagnostic mode of it, but it works great, and other than a couple of spots on the top cover where the glaze was rubbed off, is in mint condition.

So, my gamble payed off - I have an excellent piece of test gear for a fraction of the original cost! See updated photo above!

Yay!

Dave

[dsk]

Congratulations. This must be much more easy, than putting up a signal generator, record a sound file, and analyze the picture in Audacity.
Until now, didn't know I need one like that 

dsk

[twocvbloke]

This must be much more easy, than putting up a signal generator, record a sound file, and analyze the picture in Audacity.

I have this program:

http://www.tapiex.com/ToneDecoder.Net.htm

Hold the phone handset near a microphone, or use one of them call recorder pickup things, and it decodes the DTMF signals...

Doesn't work for Pulse dial though...

[gpo706]

Nice result! Let us know when you try the diagnostics mode.

[DavePEI]

Nice result! Let us know when you try the diagnostics mode.

I will. There is a possibility that this one is an earlier unit which didn't include the diagnostic mode, as it doesn't go into diagnostic mode as the manual says it does. I have emailed the company with its serial number to see if I can get the dope on this particular unit.  They also made a DP/DTMF/MF version which would also do carrier troubleshooting of MF signaling - it cost twice as much as the basic model, but didn't include the analysis mode. All were called TPM32, and it looks as though the only way to tell the difference is through the serial number.

http://www.metrotelcorp.com/99-0550.htm

So, if I find this one doesn't support the analysis mode, I still have an excellent tool - I have played around with it and my CNET phone system, and it decodes every digit dialed. Now, am awaiting information from Metro-Tel to see if this one does indeed support analysis, as that mode would be very useful to me.

Dave

[DavePEI]

Hi All:

Over the past two days, I have gathered up a number of accessories to help with this instrument. I am still waiting to hear back from Metro-Tel about the diagnostic mode.

I have located a small case to enclose the tester and its accessories shown below. I have had it over to the museum, and tested it with dial, as well as a number of TT phones. All display the numbers well on the screen.

Below, you will see a two position splitter which is used for most applications, the line plugs into one side of the splitter, the phone into the other. If the phone isn't modularized, the banjo and test clips may be used to connect it to the phone.

Dave