Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Switching => General Switching Discussions => General CO Talk => Topic started by: guitar1580 on January 03, 2011, 06:03:59 AM

Title: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: guitar1580 on January 03, 2011, 06:03:59 AM
For years, my state only had one area code, and only 7 digits had to be dialed to make a local call.  For as far back as I can remember, we could dial 998 and the last 4 digits of our own number to make our own phone ring, and I used this countless times when I first got into phone repair, and before I had a cell phone.

About a year ago, our state got a second area code, and we had to start dialing the area code, without the 1, for local calls.  At this point I tried the old 998 code just for the heck of it, and it no longer worked.  Oh well, the end of an era, I thought, and no matter since I can ring my # with my cell.

Interesting discovery:  Tonight I was reading through old threads, and saw someone asking about how to do the ringback if they didn't have a cell.  I went ahead and tried old faithful 998 with our 10 digit number, and it still doesn't work ... just a busy signal.  So what the heck, tried it without the area code, and voila, I got the ringback!

What a surprise.  How many times I used that as a kid to fool my sister or Mom into thinking the phone was ringing, then later for testing old phones.  To give it a try, dial the 7 digits, and listen for a dial tone, hang up receiver (or depress plunger) and let back up quickly, listen for a higher pitched tone, hang back up and phone will ring.  Other areas or states could have a code other than 998, but I was shocked to see this little trick still work.

Josh P
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Phonesrfun on January 03, 2011, 11:06:32 AM
I am surprised it still works anywhere.  The revertive ringing feature was created so that someone on a party line could ring the other party, since dialing the number outright would result in a busy signal.

So, if it works, it works.  Good way to test your phones for ringing.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: AE_Collector on January 03, 2011, 11:30:57 AM
There used to be all sorts of different schemes in use for "revertive calls" depending on the type of CO equipment in use. I thought that the most common way to ring your line these days was to just dial your pwn number and hang up.

Terry
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Adam on January 03, 2011, 12:06:27 PM
Of course, if you had an Asterisk system, your own local PBX, you could ring your own phones all you want!

Making your own system is easier than you think, all you need is an old PC you probably already have laying around, and the Asterisk software is free.  It's a great way to demonstrate your collection! Anyone, send me a message if you want to know more.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dave F on January 03, 2011, 01:10:40 PM
Most C.O.s probably still do have ringback capability.  It's a useful tool when guys (or girls) on the pole need to verify that the wiring is correct.  Here in Southern California the ringback method has morphed over time.  Long ago, when it was SxS in Pacific Tel, ringback for everybody was simply 1156.  Later, when Crossbar and ESS were in vogue, ringback (in my area) was the unused prefix 251 plus the last 4 digits of my phone number.  As more and more prefixes went into use, they had to constantly move ringback to a "new" unused prefix.  I haven't done any recent experimentation, but I would expect that some as-yet unused prefix in your area plus those last 4 digits (no area code required) might still do the trick.  An additional note -- a similar method is still used to provide ANI (Automatic Number Identification) to outside-plant people.  A special 7-digit number with an unused prefix, when dialed, will read back audibly in a computerized voice the telephone number of the phone that called it.  If you ask some of your local linemen, sooner or later you will find one who will be more than happy to tell you the current ANI number for your area.  For security reasons, they routinely change the ANI number, as it is commonly used by people visiting friends who have unlisted numbers.  (Hey Dude, can I borrow your phone to make a quick local call?....)
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: HarrySmith on January 03, 2011, 01:33:29 PM
Way back when I was 15 years old and was having my fist telephone installed in my bedroom I had a very friendly installer. I followed him around as he ran a new line from the pole to the house then up to my bedroom asking a thousand questions. He was very patient and answered all of my questions, even gave me a tool for removing the fingerwheel to change the dial card and showed me how to use it. He also showed me a three digit code to ring back and another that would give the number. I used those codes for many years then they stopped working. Today I cannot recall what the numbers were. BTW that first phone was a black 500.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Phonesrfun on January 03, 2011, 01:40:38 PM
Where I grew up, the number was simply 119, and the fourth number was for party #1,2, etc.  Since we had a private line, we just dialed 1191 and hung up to get it to ring.

The numbers varied all over the map but I think 119 was a common revertive number within the Bell System.  It would not work now, of course because of the use of the number 1 in the front which signifies a toll number.  113 used to be repair service, and 114 used to be information.  When they went to putting a preceeding 1 on the beginning of the numbers to signify a toll call, information and repair service went to 411 and 311.  Obviously, changing 119 on revertive calling to 911 would not work, because if you tried to ring your own house, you'd get a fire truck instead.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dave F on January 03, 2011, 01:48:38 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on January 03, 2011, 01:33:29 PM
Way back when I was 15 years old and was having my fist telephone installed in my bedroom I had a very friendly installer. I followed him around as he ran a new line from the pole to the house then up to my bedroom asking a thousand questions. He was very patient and answered all of my questions, even gave me a tool for removing the fingerwheel to change the dial card and showed me how to use it. He also showed me a three digit code to ring back and another that would give the number. I used those codes for many years then they stopped working. Today I cannot recall what the numbers were. BTW that first phone was a black 500.
Harry,

That (very eerily) is EXACTLY what happened to me, except I was only 12, and the phone was a beige 500.  I still have the fingerwheel tool that the installer gave me -- KS16750L1 !!

Dave
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: HarrySmith on January 03, 2011, 01:59:55 PM
WOW! Cool! I had that tool for years but when I started with phones I went searching for it and could not find it!
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dennis Markham on January 03, 2011, 02:00:36 PM
Good stories, guys.  No wonder the phone bills were so high...they were giving away the tools! :)
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dave F on January 03, 2011, 02:07:44 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on January 03, 2011, 01:59:55 PM
WOW! Cool! I had that tool for years but when I started with phones I went searching for it and could not find it!
Harry,

Check this out:  I just ran out to the garage (in the rain) and got this from my toolbox.  Of all my phone stuff, this one tool probably evokes more memories than anything else.  It has been 49 years since the installer gave it to me!!

Dave
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: HarrySmith on January 03, 2011, 02:26:36 PM
That does bring back memories, mine was blue ;D
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: HarrySmith on January 03, 2011, 02:29:19 PM
You have had it for 49 years and you were 12 when you got it..........
That makes you.........
Older than me ;D
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dennis Markham on January 03, 2011, 02:31:27 PM
That's very nice Dave.  I'd like to get my hands on one of those.  Maybe one will show up on eBay some day.  I have bent a lot of small paper clips getting the finger wheels off.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dave F on January 03, 2011, 02:31:59 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on January 03, 2011, 02:29:19 PM
You have had it for 49 years and you were 12 when you got it..........
That makes you.........
Older than me ;D
Yeah, like I need to be reminded!
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dave F on January 03, 2011, 02:36:27 PM
Quote from: Dennis Markham on January 03, 2011, 02:31:27 PM
That's very nice Dave.  I'd like to get my hands on one of those.  Maybe one will show up on eBay some day.  I have bent a lot of small paper clips getting the finger wheels off.
Dennis,

All the installers out here used paper clips.  I guess the guy gave me his official tool because he really didn't need it.  I'm pretty lucky that he even still had it in his truck.  Boy, that WAS a long time ago!

Dave
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dennis Markham on January 03, 2011, 02:42:39 PM
It was nice of him to give that to you, and the one to Harry.  Wonder if he's still working? :)
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dave F on January 03, 2011, 02:52:55 PM
Quote from: Dennis Markham on January 03, 2011, 02:42:39 PM
It was nice of him to give that to you, and the one to Harry.  Wonder if he's still working? :)
When those green Pac Tel trucks rolled into the neighborhood, it felt like Santa Claus was making a little rest stop.  Let's see now, Santa, how about a Butt-in, a box of Station Wire, a few 42As, and a Code-A-Phone 700.  Yes, I've been very very good.....
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: HarrySmith on January 03, 2011, 02:59:22 PM
Mine was SNET, I did not have much interest in phones once I got mine back then!
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dave F on January 03, 2011, 03:07:47 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on January 03, 2011, 02:59:22 PM
Mine was SNET, I did not have much interest in phones once I got mine back then!
I got hooked on phones early on.  Here, from a previous thread, are a few of my recollections of that time:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3264.msg43400#msg43400
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: guitar1580 on January 03, 2011, 03:18:04 PM
Great stories folks.  So Harry, you got your own 500 installed in your bedroom, by the phone company?  That's pretty special for those days.  I had to obtain and connect my own.

For the first 10 or 12 years of my life, we had a green 554 on the wall by the kit-DR doorway.  My sister or I would lay on the floor under it when talking to our friends.  I still remember the day, around 1970 to 72, when we had the black 500 connected in my parents' bedroom, shiny new with clear fingerwheel, and hardwired into a wall box.  It was like we really moved up in the world, to be able to lay across a bed and talk in private.

I didn't get a free tool, but I paid attention, and got my eyes opened to how and where the phones were connected.  I soonafter acquired a Nov '53 black 500 from my neighbor's grandpap, who somehow had several of them in his basement, along with spool of telephone co. wire - I think he must have worked for the phone company at some point.

So, that began my phone tinkering, as my friend and I set about running the wire out my bedroom  window of the old farmhouse, into the basement, and connected to the terminal.  I was definitely one of the only kids around to have a phone in my BR ... and with all the talk of disconnecting the ringer, and "property of Bell", we practically felt like bootleggers.  We were the underground.

Before I got the 500, I used to connect a small old speaker to the terminal box, to listen in on Ma and Sis ... of course they  heard me connect up.  I'm sure it was noisy as heck.  Haha, never did hear anything good.

Also, I still have the spool of wire, and use that old 500 every day.  In a roundabout way, that phone is what got me into collecting.  I'll tell that story another time.

Josh
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: jsowers on January 03, 2011, 03:28:46 PM
My fingerwheel tool looks identical to Dave's and is a KS16750L2 and has a black cover that I don't use. I got it on eBay years ago from Kansas City, Kansas. It came with a pouch of unstamped number cards and a stamper and ink pad. I have no idea the difference between the 1 and 2 versions. It's very handy and one of my favorite tools.

BTW, the only ringback I ever had was the number we had to call my grandmother on the party line. It was 1543. We dialed it and hung up and our phone rang and then her phone rang, over and over, and when the ringing stopped, that meant the other party had answered. Even then it was an antiquated way to reach someone. Often they hung up before you realized they answered the phone. I remember seeing other telcos having a tic-tic sound that alerted then answering party that someone on their party line was calling them, but we never had anything fancy like that. The number my grandmother dialed for us was 1534. Party lines went away about 1983 in our area.

Normally, we just walked across the yard if we needed to tell each other something. :)
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dave F on January 03, 2011, 03:37:57 PM
Quote from: jsowers on January 03, 2011, 03:28:46 PM
My fingerwheel tool looks identical to Dave's and is a KS16750L2 and has a black cover that I don't use. I got it on eBay years ago from Kansas City, Kansas. It came with a pouch of unstamped number cards and a stamper and ink pad. I have no idea the difference between the 1 and 2 versions. It's very handy and one of my favorite tools. <snip>
It looks like the L2 has a longer metal tip than the L1.  I know that they all came with a black plastic cover, but I mine was missing the cover by the time I got it.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: HarrySmith on January 03, 2011, 03:46:02 PM
Yeah, I had no choice, my Dad told me I could not tie up his phone for hours while talking to my girlfriend so I had to get one of my own. I was already working by then so I had a weekly paycheck to take care of it, just local calling, if I recall it was about $9.00 a month.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Adam on January 03, 2011, 03:47:06 PM
This is my finger wheel removal tool.  Got it in a lot of phone stuff from eBay last year.  Until then I had been using paper clips.  I can't tell you how much easier it is to do it the right way using the tool, you just can't get a good grip on the paper clip, even if you leave 75% of it "unbent".

My  tool came with a red "pen cap" top which isn't pictured.

While we're on the subject, does anybody have any idea what the intended function the right-angle bent part of the tool is?
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: bwanna on January 03, 2011, 05:25:47 PM
great stories, guys!

dave, your tool is similar to one i use at work to remove wire from a spin down block. first you would use your "un-spinner" tool, then fish the wire out with the angled end of your tool. the tool i have is black & does not have the straight piece of wire on the other end.

sorry i don't have a picture of what i am talking about. & since i can't think of the proper name of the spin down i can't find it on the internet.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Adam on January 03, 2011, 05:39:37 PM
Do you mean wire-wrapping?
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Doug Rose on January 03, 2011, 06:07:06 PM
Quote from: masstel on January 03, 2011, 03:47:06 PM
This is my finger wheel removal tool.  Got it in a lot of phone stuff from eBay last year.  Until then I had been using paper clips.  I can't tell you how much easier it is to do it the right way using the tool, you just can't get a good grip on the paper clip, even if you leave 75% of it "unbent".

My  tool came with a red "pen cap" top which isn't pictured.

While we're on the subject, does anybody have any idea what the intended function the right-angle bent part of the tool is?
Dave...it sure looks like a 110 pic to me. Punching down crosswire on a 110 block, you need a pic to get out the excess insulation or copper that can be left behind. 110s weren't meant for constant punch and re-punch like a 66 block was. Pen cap has a clip to clip on to your pocket. Later ones had a rubber end on the straight side. ...Doug
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: bingster on January 03, 2011, 06:37:20 PM
Since the straight end is for removal of a modern fingerwheel, I wonder if the right-angle end could be for removal of the older clear fingerwheels that have the little hook release.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dennis Markham on January 03, 2011, 06:40:45 PM
That would be a perfect tool for that, wouldn't it?  I can also see it being used for threading wires.  Like when I feed the four handset cord wires on a Model 500, I like to drag them inside the switch hook wires.  My big fingers have a difficult time reaching through the switch wires to pull them to the network. 
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: bwanna on January 03, 2011, 06:43:57 PM
@dave...yep :)

@darrin.. i think your theory is correct. ;D
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: NorthernMan on January 03, 2011, 07:54:18 PM
Paper clip or .......... 4 inches of style B with 3/8 inch insulation removed on one side and the other side wire and insulation cut right off. At least thats what was used when the fancy dancy store bought one was lost.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: AE_Collector on January 03, 2011, 09:08:11 PM
Quote from: Phonesrfun on January 03, 2011, 01:40:38 PM
Where I grew up, the number was simply 119, and the fourth number was for party #1,2, etc.  Since we had a private line, we just dialed 1191 and hung up to get it to ring.

113 used to be repair service, and 114 used to be information.  
went to 411 and 311.  

How about 112 for Long Distance?
116 was information here and 114 was repair. Sort of backwards since 411 became information.
I can't recall if reverting calls was 118 or 119 but I recal lhaving to dial either 1 or 2 additional 1's on the end.

When I had my black 80 extension phone installed in my bedroom as a teenager, I didn't get to hassle the installer becasue I was at school. I had pre-run the wiring within the house for the guy though which apparently made his day!

Terry
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: bingster on January 03, 2011, 09:13:35 PM
Here, it was "0" for long distance, 411 for information, 611 for the business office, and 811 was repair.

We used to be able to get our own phone to ring by the "dial your own number and quickly hang up" method. 
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: bwanna on January 03, 2011, 09:56:13 PM
959 is the pre-fix we use around here for the drop wire id number & ringbacks. there are also numbers for a "quiet" line & open line. with cell phones & the "800" mechanized loop test number, i haven't used any of the "959" numbers in a long time.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: NorthernMan on January 03, 2011, 10:30:31 PM
Todays I/R people with cellphones have no use for ringback. At the local army base the rumor flew that if you dialed a certain number and hungup your phone and it rang back that meant your phone was tapped. Paronoid or what.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: rp2813 on January 04, 2011, 02:15:15 PM
Back in the 1960's when we were still on a Pacific Telephone crossbar switch, I'm guessing, we would dial 960, wait for a click, then dial 6 and hang up.  That would get the phone to ring back.

I lived in Verizon territory up until a couple of years ago.  At that time, I was still able to dial my home phone number, wait for the beep, and hang up in order to get it to ring back.  I think we were on either a 5E or DMS switch.

Long ago, a neighbor kid and I noticed that a phone tech had left his tool box out on the curb, so we grabbed it.  It had mostly connectors in it and some odds and ends, and one tool I've never been able to figure out.  Maybe I'll snap a picture of it and post it here.  I still have the box and most of its contents, as there wasn't much in it that would be useful in the average residential wiring scheme.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: AE_Collector on January 04, 2011, 02:40:23 PM
Quote from: rp2813 on January 04, 2011, 02:15:15 PM
I lived in Verizon territory up until a couple of years ago.  At that time, I was still able to dial my home phone number, wait for the beep, and hang up in order to get it to ring back.  I think we were on either a 5E or DMS switch.

Was it a traditional GTE portion of Verizon territory? If so, it could have been a GTD5 switch. we have LOTS of GTD5's here and that is exactly what you do to ring your phone. If you don't hang up right away the beep repeats every 3 or 4 seconds until you hang up.

Terry
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Jim Stettler on January 04, 2011, 04:53:45 PM
Last I tried the local ring back was 99n-xxxx. n is a digit between 1-0 and xxxx are the last 4 of your telephone #.


n varies by exchange.


Jim
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Kenny C on January 04, 2011, 05:45:39 PM
A little off topic but party lines were mentioned and a friend of mine from church said they still had a party line in 1990 he was born in 88 and remembers it
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: rp2813 on January 07, 2011, 07:55:38 PM
Terry, yes, it was GTE territory from way back.  You're probably right about the switch type, and yeah, it would keep beeping until you hung up.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Dave203 on August 24, 2013, 10:53:01 PM
Last I knew in 2008 in Danbury area of Connecticut at my house I could dial 991-xxxx and for xxxx put in the last four of the phone I was calling from and click over hear the beep hang up and it rang back with a tone.

This was taught to me by my bigger sisters at a payphone one day and I thought it was the most coolest thing ever. I must have been 6 or 7. From that day on I made every payphone I would pass ring.

It doesn't work on any payphones any more even if you can find them. Next time I am near a real dial tone line I will try to see if it still works.

Also in the same local area ANI number is 970

Time and Temp 511 also worked in 2008 and it really forwards to 860-524-8123 <-still works
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: GTE Rick on February 07, 2014, 07:49:58 PM
I live in Long Beach, California and have FIOS digital voice... one day I was Playing on the phone and found that if I dial *53 I get busy and when I hang up I get double ring and if  I dial *54 I get a busy and get a  short short long ring

Very interesting

Rick
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Greg G. on February 08, 2014, 02:39:27 AM
Get a PBX, then you only have to dial two digits to test your phone.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Kenton K on February 08, 2014, 04:19:07 AM
I can still dial 958-(last 4 digits) to get ringback. I live in San Francisco Bay Area and have AT&T.

Fun!
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: DarrenWGaransi on June 26, 2016, 04:35:05 AM
We used to dial 999 and then our 7 digit phone number. We would flash the switch hook after hearing a pulsed dial tone then hang up. The phone would then ring. If we dialed 958, the CO would tell us our phone number. This was with POTS here in NJ. I know it doesn't work with FIOS.
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: Jim Stettler on March 06, 2017, 06:14:19 PM
Around here you could dial 99x-nnnn then flash.
x = a digit between 0-9,   nnnn= last 4 of your #. The 99k number was based on your exchane prefix.  I had a RS speed dialer that I progamed all the 99x numbers into. I kept it in my car and would fry it at friends houses. I would program nnnn into one of the spare buttons.  I was able to build a nice list of ring-back -by-prefix for my town.
-----------------------------------------------------------

I think the above number was a test #. I think you could run other telephone test as well.
JMO,
Jim S.



The last time I tried was November 2012. I had copper and was switching to cable, I tried it out before the switch just to see if it would still work.It did. 
Title: Re: Can anyone still dial a code number to make your own phone ring ?
Post by: KaiserFrazer67 on March 08, 2017, 06:20:59 AM
Quote from: AE_Collector on January 03, 2011, 11:30:57 AM
There used to be all sorts of different schemes in use for "revertive calls" depending on the type of CO equipment in use. I thought that the most common way to ring your line these days was to just dial your pwn number and hang up.

Terry
Still works that same way here in Oakfield, WI.  Thankfully we here in 920 land haven't been "blessed" with an area code overlay (yet--it's coming), so we can still just dial our own 7-digit number and hang up right away, too.