Small Tone simulator

[Dan/Panther]

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

[bingster]

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

[Dan/Panther]

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

[Dan/Panther]

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

[bingster]

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.

[Bill Cahill]

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

[Perry]

I have 2 different types of dialers to use when I encounter those menus:

This eBay seller: 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
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).

[Bill Cahill]

Thanks much for your help. I'll check into it.
Bill Cahill

[benhutcherson]

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.

[Perry]

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
( 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.

[Dan/Panther]

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

[Mark Stevens]

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!

[Dan/Panther]

I received the tone simulator today. I paid $19.95 for it.
It works fine.

D/P

[BDM]

When I purchase something, it's what I'm willing to pay. Regardless of what the cost was to the seller. So, be happy

[Dan/Panther]

BDM;

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

D/P