Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dan/Panther on September 14, 2008, 12:24:01 AM

Title: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Dan/Panther on September 14, 2008, 12:24:01 AM
I like my vintage Rotary phones, but I need a small push buttom tone simulator, for the push pound sign etc. responses.
Do they make one, and where do you get them.

Dan/Panther
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: bingster on September 14, 2008, 12:42:20 AM
Glad to see you, Dan!

Oldphoneworks.com has these little numbers for $45:
http://oldphoneworks.com/pulse-to-tone-converter.html

There's also a slightly less expensive one, but I don't know what the difference is:
http://oldphoneworks.com/rotatone-pulse-to-tone-converter.html

As for handheld generators, phonecoinc.com has this little number for $25:
http://www.phonecoinc.com/topic.asp?map=1&hhrl=home&gorl=group&group=misc&category=Jack&topic=01052

That one's fine, but it makes placing a call a long drawn-out process.  The top two mean you can just pick up the phone and start dialing, the converter does it's job all on it's own with no input from you.

Darrin
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Dan/Panther on September 14, 2008, 01:08:44 AM
Thanks for the welcome.
Right now I use my cell phone, and it works fine, I just thought a small cheap toner would be avaialble, they are small and avaialble, but not cheap[.
Dan/Panther
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Dan/Panther on September 14, 2008, 01:15:51 AM
My rotary dial works fine, and I can make calls, but when it asks for numeric input, I have to resort to the cell phone. I tried using an old cordless phone, with part of the circuit removed, but it seems like no matter what you disconnect on those cordless phones, everything stops working.
Dan/Panther
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: bingster on September 14, 2008, 03:08:33 AM
Right now, I have a cordless that I use when I know I'm going to encounter a menu type system on the other end.   There are times that I run into one unexpectedly and have to drop the phone and race to the cordless.  It's quite comical at times. 

You can also try keeping an eye out on ebay for one of these toners.  You may stumble on one for small change.
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Bill Cahill on October 14, 2008, 05:15:25 AM
I need one, too. Anyone know where I might get a cheap one?
I'm eventually dumping my cordless phone. It's too costly for me, and, sounds like crap.
Bill Cahill
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Perry on October 14, 2008, 09:04:19 AM
I have 2 different types of dialers to use when I encounter those menus:

This eBay seller: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsinclair470 (http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsinclair470) ( dead link 05-13-21 )
usually has hand-held tone dialers for sale. The price was reasonable, even with shipping from the UK, and it only took a few days to arrive.

The other one is similar to this: http://www.oldphoneworks.com/four-number-dialer.html (http://www.oldphoneworks.com/four-number-dialer.html)
It attaches inline in the line cord. I hung it on the wall near my main phone. I tried to get one from oldphoneworks, but he didn't actually have it in stock. I found one on eBay by searching for "four number dialer" (that is what it is called on the box).
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Bill Cahill on October 14, 2008, 11:53:48 AM
Thanks much for your help. I'll check into it.
Bill Cahill
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: benhutcherson on October 14, 2008, 12:09:11 PM
Here's the poor man's solution that I've used:

I first downloaded one of the many dialer programs available for free on the Internet

Here are a couple

http://www.dtmfdial.com/

http://www.dsptutor.freeuk.com/dtmf/ToneGenerator.html  (applet, requires no download)

I can then hold a handset up to computer speaker, and the number will dial. It takes some practice to get just the right distance for the number to pick up, without it being too loud. In general, though, DTMF dialing is pretty forgiving especially with regard to volume. 

I've had good luck getting this to work on 500 sets, and marginal luck on 302s. I did try it a time or two with my 40AL stick(solid-back transmitter), and could not get it to work.
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Perry on October 17, 2008, 11:10:31 PM
Here is a link to an auction for one of the "four number dialers" I mentioned:
http://cgi.ebay.com/AT-T-4-Number-EMERGENCY-Automatic-DIALER-NIB-Elderly_W0QQitemZ330218878523QQihZ014QQcategoryZ1503QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247
(http://cgi.ebay.com/AT-T-4-Number-EMERGENCY-Automatic-DIALER-NIB-Elderly_W0QQitemZ330218878523QQihZ014QQcategoryZ1503QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247)
( dead link 03-13-21 )

It's not obvious from the photo, but the front panel opens up to reveal a full-size touch-tone pad.
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Dan/Panther on October 19, 2008, 03:57:27 AM
Here is what I ended up buying. It's a little more than I figured, but it's exactly what I wanted.
D/P

http://www.oldphoneworks.com/tone-dialer.html
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Mark Stevens on October 19, 2008, 09:13:07 AM
Quote from: Dan/Panther on October 19, 2008, 03:57:27 AM
Here is what I ended up buying. It's a little more than I figured, but it's exactly what I wanted.
D/P

http://www.oldphoneworks.com/tone-dialer.html

I'm assuming you haven't received it yet. Let us know how it works!
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Dan/Panther on October 23, 2008, 06:40:01 PM
I received the tone simulator today. I paid $19.95 for it.
It works fine.

D/P
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: BDM on October 23, 2008, 07:57:02 PM
When I purchase something, it's what I'm willing to pay. Regardless of what the cost was to the seller. So, be happy 8)
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Dan/Panther on October 23, 2008, 10:23:44 PM
BDM;

You are absolutely right.
I apologize for my ungrateful attitude. I really mean that.

D/P
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: BDM on October 23, 2008, 10:26:38 PM
Not ungrateful, I just wouldn't worry about. I mean the cost didn't bother you until you saw what they paid. Kind of silly they sent it along with a price tag. But hey, be happy 8)

I notice the forum is cutting off the edge of the post.
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Dan/Panther on October 24, 2008, 09:04:50 AM
BDM;
I removed the photo and remark about the cost of the simulator.
Before I remove the rest I thought I would let you know.
I don't want to add anything negative to thew forum.
D/P
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: BDM on October 24, 2008, 11:11:07 AM
Dan, I'm saying it with a smile, not with a frown in a negative manner. It's nothing! I simply made my statement in a manner I would to any friend or family member, not as an attack. Now, Dave & Carl battling it out at the other site, that's negative! :-X
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Dan/Panther on October 24, 2008, 09:24:45 PM
BDM;

I wasn't saying you were getting after me, I just took what you said to heart, and don't want this forum to turn into flame wars or vendor bashing. You were absolutely right and opened my eyes to that fact, and for that I thank you.

D/P
Title: Re: Small Tone simulator
Post by: Bill Cahill on October 25, 2008, 03:33:56 AM
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D