I tried contacting this guy to ask him what he uses but he didn't get back to me.
Here is his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/A1TELEPHONE/videos
Here is just one of his videos where he uses a variety of equipment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is-2Is4_lGM
I've already identified the BK Precision 1045 and 1050.
There are several other things however that I've been so far unable to identify. The telephone earpiece amplifier for one I haven't been able to even find pictures online. And I can find any telephone switch boxes like those used in the video.
I believe that's all the equipment he uses but I may have missed anything. If anyone can point me in the right direction, that'd be much appreciated!
The switch box is just a few 6p4c jacks in a box, probably something he fabricated.
The coil allows him to demonstrate call progress by picking up what the receiver unit is doing. You can just as easily connect a monitor amp/speaker, such as a WE Spokesman® or ITT Orator® to get the same result.
The tester that sends generator, watches for dial pulses, and detects audio is not necessary, but helps him make a credible video. A used Panasonic key system can do the same things. There are lots of ways to get a phone to ring. The best audio tester is the human ear.
The other test equipment is sitting there unused, in his repair videos. Not sure what they are.
Speaking of credibility, those of us in the industry pick up on certain words and phrases, used by novices, computer geeks, wanna-be's, "Licensed Master Electricians", and self-anointed YouTube experts. When we do, we go from chuckle to cringe, depending.
Here are a few:
"RJ45, RJ12, RJ22" and any other mis-represented connector/plug assembly.
"Rotary" as used to refer to a rotary DIAL. (he does this repeatedly)
"Handset" as used to refer to a TELEPHONE.
"Centronics plug" as used to refer to an Amphenol plug.
"Silver Satin" as used to refer to satin silver, an industry standard color for cordage, color suffix - 87.
Victor, I am well aware there exist alternatives,
I have 2 Panasonic PBXs myself.
However, I'd like to know more about the equipment he specifically is using. The analyzers I figured out myself - the rest is stumping me.
And I do think it would be very handy to have an amplifier that fits right on the earpiece.
The amplifier does not, of course, fit on the handset; it is off-screen, but I catch your drift. You could use any audio amp with a little speaker, or the ones I recommended. You can buy for around $2.00 an electrically-equivalent pick-up coil. The ones that come with a suction cup and allow a telephone call to be recorded on a small tape recorder, are available on line. I just Googled "telephone pick-up coil" and found a plethora of them.
You could also try to use a U1 receiver unit from a spare G-type handset as a coil.
I have used them, as in input device, to the aforementioned Spokesman, to demonstrate to a skeptical spouse that there really were clicking sounds coming from my knee, after a long rehabilitation from a dislocation, and on another occasion, to allow a child's toy ukulele to be plugged into a guitar amplifier, as a goof for a friend who wanted to use one in his blues band's cover rendition of Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole's "Over the Rainbow."
Quote from: bellsystem on June 28, 2017, 01:37:42 PM
I tried contacting this guy to ask him what he uses but he didn't get back to me.
Here is his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/A1TELEPHONE/videos
Here is just one of his videos where he uses a variety of equipment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is-2Is4_lGM
I've already identified the BK Precision 1045 and 1050.
There are several other things however that I've been so far unable to identify. The telephone earpiece amplifier for one I haven't been able to even find pictures online. And I can find any telephone switch boxes like those used in the video.
I believe that's all the equipment he uses but I may have missed anything. If anyone can point me in the right direction, that'd be much appreciated!
One of the problems is that he uses his own words for things instead of using standard terms used throughout the industry, the world and by the public. One example is his repeated use of the word "rotary" to refer to the dial. It's a rotary dial phone and a rotary dial but the dial is not a "rotary". "Rotary" is an adjective, not a noun unless we are talking about a road traffic "rotary".
Another is his "earpiece amplifier", which he does not show. What he
does show is a "pickup coil", which apparently is connected to some sort of amplifier driving a loudspeaker. Radio Shack used to sell both types of items. Most likely others still do, perhaps MCM Electronics.
Many types of coils with many turns can be adapted to use for this purpose but they're inexpensive enough to buy and most of them have a suction cup to stick on the back of the handset to record telephone calls.
Companies also sell small switch boxes with modular jacks for selecting among 2 or more lines. Non-modular ones can be adapted by adding jacks. No "rocket science" here.
One curiosity though is why during the demonstration of his calling his own number, dial tone goes aware BEFORE he dials the first digit. Maybe the phone has psychic powers and anticipates his dialing the first digit.
AG, did you read my reply, (#1) before transmitting yours?
Quote from: Victor Laszlo on June 28, 2017, 02:43:02 PM
AG, did you read my reply, (#1) before transmitting yours?
Absolutely not! I was going to ask the same question. But rather than quote the trite line about "great minds" I'd prefer to paraphrase Diana Ross: "Whenever you're near I hear"
an echo (and vice-versa).
But the
real explanation is that
even today there
still are things called
"facts" which everyone knows, can agree on, and recap independently.
Dial tone goes away before he begins dialing in all of his videos - not sure why. I've only watch a few but it goes away in all of those.
And I'd like something that works as easily as the amplifier in the video - where all I do is set it down on top of it - I don't want to have to pick something up and attach it to the receiver.
Rotary can be used as a noun the same way the word "microwave" is used as shorthand for microwave oven. Not trying to pick sides, but it's sometime common to say "I've got XXX rotaries and XX touch-tones" instead of using them as adjectives and adding the word 'telephones' after. It happens with lots of words.
I did searches for both amplifiers and switch boxes (using more specific search terms) and got a whole lot of nothing. Or at least useless somethings.
Quote from: bellsystem on June 28, 2017, 02:50:35 PM
Dial tone goes away before he begins dialing in all of his videos - not sure why. I've only watch a few but it goes away in all of those.
Probably because his production process involves some fakery. Why does he feel a need to show that he is "taking breaks" 2 or 3 times during the course of an 8 minute video? How does that add to the benefit people (ostensibly) get from watching?
Quote from: Victor Laszlo on June 28, 2017, 02:40:55 PM
You could use any audio amp with a little speaker,
Not really any amplifier. It needs to have sufficient gain, which in this case means a "microphone level" input.
Quote from: Victor Laszlo on June 28, 2017, 02:40:55 PM
You could also try to use a U1 receiver unit from a spare G-type handset as a coil.
I have used them, as in input device, to the aforementioned Spokesman,
A U-type receiver functioning as a mike produces a much higher signal level than a U-type receiver functioning as a pickup coil. To use one effectively as a pickup coil it would be best to tear a defective one apart, removing the coil from the surrounding magnetic components and diaphragm so it picks up an external magnetic field more efficiently and does not pick up sound.
However one could also use it as a mike, placed against the front of the receiver cap, ideally with a rubber ring to seal the mating surfaces. OTOH, that would block the receiver from being heard directly, so placing a commercially made PU coil against the front of back of the handset would be just as good, even if the suction cup was removed.
"...it's sometime common to say "I've got XXX rotaries and XX touch-tones" instead of using them as adjectives and adding the word 'telephones' after."
Common...that's the word I was looking for. I don't do common. I do precise. You use whatever makes you happy.
I occasionally, when listing, orally, some of my vast telephone inventory, refer to TELEPHONES as "rotary" or "tone" models. The words are used as adjectives. Our YouToober calls a ROTARY DIAL a ROTARY, which, as I have and others have said, is a quick clue that the speaker is not a native-born telephonist, but a poseur.
The quickest way to dispose of this question is to ask him his NCSD. That question separates the men from the boys.
"Probably because his production process involves some fakery. "
Wudjoo expect from a guy who calls dials "rotaries"?
Okay these tools aren't that hard to identify or build.
The switch box as already stated is rather easy.you have DPDT switch with the output jack going to the test jack, one set of contacts going to the tester and the other set of contacts going to the POTS line. An electronics shop like he has would have the parts in stock.
The pickup amplifier is actually two components. The amplifier is just a generic audio power amplifier. The pickup is a coil of wire in a loop to pick up the magnetic field from the receiver. This operates on the same principle as the recording pickups available commercially and the T-Coil in hearing aids.
Inductive pickup has been used historically for a few purposes, phone phreaks used an inductive pickup to record from pay phones, in addition I have a book somewhere that uses an inductive pickup to detect the ringer and operate the extension ringer.
I wouldn't mind having one of those "analyzers" just to make sure my phones are dialing properly...i have gotten some upset people when I dial a number wrong (or it dials incorrectly).
One thing I am curious to know is where he gets those white modular line ends...i have a handful of phones that could use that. I only have 4 prong jacks in 2 rooms...i like preserving the old line cords.
Quote from: Vacuumlad1650 on January 21, 2018, 03:59:42 PM
One thing I am curious to know is where he gets those white modular line ends...i have a handful of phones that could use that. I only have 4 prong jacks in 2 rooms...i like preserving the old line cords.
I'm just guessing at what you said you are curious about getting but if you are referring to these (in the yellow circle in the first image), they are quite common and cheap.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-5-Way-RJ11-Telephone-Modular-Phone-Line-Outlet-Jack-Socket-Splitter-Adapter/291516403429
Or by "4 prong" do you mean these?
http://www.phonecoinc.com/topic.asp?map=1&horh=home&gorl=list&group=main&category=Acc&topic=01018
Actually, I was referencing these ends he puts on original line cords.
As I do not want to crimp a regular RJ11 plug onto those original cords. This appears removable.
Quote from: Vacuumlad1650 on January 21, 2018, 04:49:20 PM
As I do not want to crimp a regular RJ11 plug onto those original cords. This appears removable.
You might consider a spade-to-modular adapter as shown here:
https://www.oldphoneworks.com/oem-ae-spade-to-modular-adapter.html
Quote from: mariepr on January 21, 2018, 05:04:13 PM
You might consider a spade-to-modular adaptor as shown here:
https://www.oldphoneworks.com/oem-ae-spade-to-modular-adapter.html
Ah, or these which provide the ability to put a long modular cord between the adapter and the wall jack if the phone line cord is not long enough to make the connection
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-RJ11-6P4C-Telephone-Phone-Line-White-Modular-Surface-Mount-Box/112007938868
I thought we had a topic somewhere showing pictures of this.
Put this type of Jacks on the end of the phones cord so you don't have to cut off the spades. Many of these old cords would be very difficult to crimp an RJ plug into anyway. Then use a double ended modular cord to connect this jack to the wall jack. As John says you get the advantage of using a 6" cord, a 25' cord or any length in between.
Those little tiny plugs would be nice if you can locate them and if the spades push into the plug to avoid cutting them off. Meanwhile, this set up is much easier to obtain.
Terry
Quote from: Vacuumlad1650 on January 21, 2018, 04:48:11 PM
Actually, I was referencing these ends he puts on original line cords.
This is called a "wire plug." It is designed for terminating solid copper wires. It isn't designed for spade-tipped cords. It uses insulation displacement rather than screw terminals.
Ahh, good to know....thanks.
So while one could likely get these to work on tinsel set cords, the connection could be flakey and ruining the spades on old colour keyed phone cords isn't really a good idea.
Terry
There's a whiff of elitism in some of these remarks, and that's unfortunate. A few things to keep in mind: There are people who love the look, feel, nostalgia, and experience of the old phones just like we do, but lack the skill to undertake repairs and/or restorations.. The videos ARE often interesting, and people clearly enjoy them. I have seen this guy effect some really useful repairs and restorations. I'm thinking without without his service, some great old phones would have ended up in landfills. Who cares what he calls a dial? He knows how to "clean, oil, and adjust" and thereby, to preserve them. Surely, there's room in the hobby for all kinds, right?
I get those jacks by the dozen! I had wanted to find those modular plugs he uses just so save from having an extra jack flopping around...
Quote from: poplar1 on January 21, 2018, 06:28:00 PM
This is called a "wire plug." It is designed for terminating solid copper wires. It isn't designed for spade-tipped cords. It uses insulation displacement rather than screw terminals.
Even knowing what they are called turned up an empty search for them. They must be old school, no longer available, or discontinued when inventory ran out - not made anymore.
Given what you said, I see no difference in mounting them than actually crimping a modular plug onto the line.
Starting with the larger throat cloth cord modular plug (and even enlarging it carefully for a really fat line cord if need be) and crimping the leads into the plug would be doing the same damage or the same result of using a wire plug (cutting off original spades).
The only difference is the crimped plug would look cleaner and being shorter (doesn't stick out from the wall plug where it could be busted off by furniture movement) would have a longer life span.
Quote from: Jack Aman on January 21, 2018, 06:45:43 PM
There's a whiff of elitism in some of these remarks, and that's unfortunate.
MODERATOR NOTE: Please tell me where you read this. I read all recent posts for such and missed it.
Now, if you are referring to the topic and replies prior to Reply #12, please keep in mind that all of those post were made by people who are no longer members of the forum due to the more than a "whiff of elitism" displayed by them in hundreds of posts starting around July 1st of 2017.
The most recent discussion was a revival of an old topic and dealt with the test equipment and subsequent identification of line word wiring. I found nothing elitist in any of the post from #12 to this one.
If I missed something, let me know. Just trying to set the record straight in any "whiff" you might have detected was dealt with more than 6 months ago, when the topic went dead until the past day or two.
Nothing wrong or bad or offensive with your comment if you are referring the to topic and it's first 11 replies. You may have just missed the revival of an old topic thinking that was all said in the past few days. This was one of the topics that was right on the line as to keeping it or deleting it. It was kept due to some of the good information written in the early posts.
Feel free to PM me of you want the full story.
=============================BTW: As a fellow member, I found many of his videos interesting in one way or another - learning some things and disagreeing with others, but, hey, "it's a hobby, it's supposed to be fun" (Doug Rose).
And now I know what a wire plug is/was. Never saw one of those before.
I initially thought he may have been referring to me since I was implying that it would be wrong to chop off the spades. But then instead I suspected it was comments made in the video itself which I haven't watched. But...you are likely correct John, stuff said by the Non Members.
Terry
The posts I was bothered by were old...didn't realize this was a revival of an old thread. They were made by "guest" posters too. Thanks for straightening me out.
Quote from: TelePlay on January 21, 2018, 07:13:51 PM
Even knowing what they are called turned up an empty search for them. They must be old school, no longer available, or discontinued when inventory ran out - not made anymore.
Part #700A4:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pieces-Commscope-AT-T-Lucent-103941464-700A4-RJ-11-Modular-Plug-Non-Crimp/232586120294
Just what I've been looking for!
Every one of his videos are exactly the same in that he follows a certain format/script every time.
And with each production he annoys me with his CB radio lingo.
Whistling and saying "Modulation" as he tests the transmitter is a tell as is his collection of 10/11 meter SWR meters that appear occasionally on the top of his stack of seemingly inoperable test equipment.
Quote from: Key2871 on April 15, 2018, 06:01:30 PM
What I want to know, is what he is referring to when he works on payphones, when he says "my own parts, to make it work". I have noticed he makes it seem harder to "fix" a phone, any phone with how he cuts out the actual process to acheve what he wants to do.
I spoke to him once with a repair question. His response was "We are NOT a How-To service. The only purpose for the videos you see online is to allow the telephone owner to see the telephone, and how it works to ensure it is to their standards before we ship it out."
I don't mean to bust on the guy.
Clearly he's got his own ideas on what he should relay to the viewers of his videos..
I'm just personally not impressed with his work or with the way he relays said information.
Maybe I'm just a jerk and I suppose I could always just not watch his videos.
But in my defense, I thought originally it was an educational series.
I learned quickly that it's anything but.
A big stack of worthless test kit... show off.
Note to Admin:
Just to cover my butt, I'm not trying to be an elitist.. I was just pointing out some things I noticed in A1's videos that errk me..
I know the thread is old and the horse has been dead for a while, but something compelled me to post..
Please accept my apologies if I'm out of line or my remarks seem too disparaging.
I definitely don't want to be banned.
I see the videos as more advertising his services than helping the community out.
I have no idea how much he charges, but there are probably enough folks out the with a phone that's been in the family for a long time that they want to work again and are willing to pay.
I do like some of the more unique ones just to see what the innards are like (especially some of the Design Line phones).
Jim
There are several things I find annoying about A1 electronics. He disables comments, he always stressed the MODULAR port which is something I would NEVER put in any pre 1976 phone. The phrase "wire the way we want to" really bugs me. The icing on the cake is how he "converts" COCOT payphones by removing the circuit board. The whistling and talking about 100 percent modulation is just a minor annoyance on my part In my phone lab I have the usual equipment, oscilloscope, TM 504 rack with DMM, DC power supply and signal generator, as well as AC 90 Volt 20Hz power supply. All phones are tested through my Asterisk PBX I have used a similar pick up coil design by connecting a salvaged AC compressor clutch coil to the input of my PA system.
I used those displacement connectors before, but after a while I found them to be very clunky.
Not to mention expense. So I bought solid wire RJ12 ends, and they did the same thing, and any quad wire you could put new ends on. I actually like using the solid wire ends much better. And I started off using the five port modular Jack thing, but again it was clunky. So I stopped.
I think having a four pin to modular is a good idea because if testing an older phone, with that type of end is easier than pulling wires off and using jumpers.
I pretty much make my own adapters that I find I can use.
Like a standard box Jack, I put in a small slide switch I can use to switch lines on multi line phone's for testing. Works great, and it's cheap to make. But oh so handy for testing two, three and four line phone's.
Yes, the 100% modulation is annoying for me as well.
But even though he's entitled to make a living fixing phone's, I'm not convinced he adds some "other ingredients" to spice up his videos. Single slot payphones for instance, unless they had a protel, Ernest or other chassis and he had to change that out to get the phone to operate as a regular phone. Why doesn't he just say that.
But he makes it a mystery, like trade secrets he can't divulge because some may figure him out.
And the only thing not available over the counter is that amp ring, but easily made with an amplifier.
I don't think he wants to answer questions about his work either, so he turned that off.
Granted for John q public, this guy is a god send. But for us who know phone's it's all in a days play.