Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Forum News => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: mmd on May 18, 2010, 07:41:17 PM

Title: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 18, 2010, 07:41:17 PM
New to this forum, and kinda new to old phones.  I got a Western Electric 500 that I got several months ago, restored it, looks new.

Now recently I got a model 302 that was already restored, and installed a touch tone module in it (Rotatone), so I can log into my voicemail system and actually manage my way through 1-800 numbers.

Here's pics of the 302.
[i mg width=700 height=468]ht tp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/oldphone302.jpg[/img]
[i mg width=700 height=468]ht tp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/phonedtmf.jpg[/img][/i mg]
[/s][/i]    ( dead externally linked imaged - image no longer on host site 11/10/17 )

And the 500 that I don't really use much right now (sitting waiting to be rewired since IT used to have the Rotatone and I haven't wired it back to normal yet).
[i mg width=700 height=467]ht tp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/Phone_on_Table_by_blackevilweredrag.jpg[/im g]
[i mg width=700 height=468]ht tp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/Old_Telephone_by_blackevilweredrago.jpg[/i mg]
    ( dead externally linked imaged - image no longer on host site 11/10/17 )

(These are when it had the rotatone in it, with my home-made jumper block, since mine didn't have one)
[i mg width=700 height=468]ht tp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/rotatone1.jpg[/i mg]
(http://[h%20ttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/rotatone2.jpg)[i mg width=700 height=468]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/rotatone4.jpg[/i mg][/i mg]
[/i][/s]     ( dead externally linked imaged - image no longer on host site 11/10/17 )

I have also made some videos of these phones too.  Here's one of the 302 in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5IuwUg0bAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOXpB0OlmB4

So what do you guys think?  I've gone through a lot to get these phones, for the 500 that meant traveling too, because it was in such a great shape inside.
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: Dan/Panther on May 18, 2010, 08:47:25 PM
Welcome to our world.
What does the touch Tone module do in the 302 ?
D/P
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 18, 2010, 08:59:56 PM
Quote from: Dan/Panther on May 18, 2010, 08:47:25 PM
Welcome to our world.
What does the touch Tone module do in the 302 ?
D/P
It lets every dial generate a touch tone sound instead of pulses.  It also gives me the ability to dial * and # by holding down 1 and 2 respectively at the finger stop until a beep is heard.  It even gives me 7 speed dial numbers, and last number redial (holding three until 1 beep).  The Rotatone is sold at Oldphoneworks.com, pretty cool stuff.

Anyways, I wouldn't have installed the device as I like keeping everything stock, but my voicemail requires dialing an asterisk, and requires touch tone sounds, it doesn't recognize the pulses (even though my phone service is rotary compatible).

Also, being my 302 wired stock, doesn't make the clicks of dialing on the receiver like my model 500 did, since the rotatone emulates it, my 302 has the cool sounding clicks now in the receiver, followed by the touch tone sound.
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: AE_Collector on May 18, 2010, 10:35:24 PM
Okay, I give up! Here's a "new" guy (mmd) with a total of 4 posts to the forum who has figured out how to put text between each picture in his postings and I still can't figure out how to do that!

No offence mmd! (Nice phones!)

Terry
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 18, 2010, 10:42:15 PM
Terry,
I have been here for (months) longer than you. I can't do it either.

Must be these smart-alec kids  ;D
JMO,
JIm
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 18, 2010, 10:45:09 PM
LOL!  I put my images in with BB code, and have the pics actually on an external server..  for example, here's what code I used above..  I'm on several forums, been doing forums since 1999..


DO NOT USE EXTERNAL IMAGE LINK CODE AS SHOWN BELOW TO POST PICTURES TO THE FORUM

ALWAYS UPLOAD IMAGES AS AN ATTACHMENT TO THE REPLY/POST

EXTERNALLY LINKED IMAGES FAIL OVER TIME AND ARE LOST FOREVER TO THE FORUM!

Here's pics of the 302.
[img width=700 height=468]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/oldphone302.jpg[/img]
[img width=700 height=468]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/phonedtmf.jpg[/img]

And the 500 that I don't really use much right now (sitting waiting to be rewired since IT used to have the Rotatone and I haven't wired it back to normal yet).
[img width=700 height=467]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/Phone_on_Table_by_blackevilweredrag.jpg[/img]
[img width=700 height=468]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/Old_Telephone_by_blackevilweredrago.jpg[/img]

(These are when it had the rotatone in it, with my home-made jumper block, since mine didn't have one)
[img width=700 height=468]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/rotatone1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/rotatone2.jpg[/img]
[img width=700 height=468]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/Evilweredragon/rotatone4.jpg[/img]

I have also made some videos of these phones too.  Here's one of the 302 in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5IuwUg0bAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOXpB0OlmB4

So what do you guys think?  I've gone through a lot to get these phones, for the 500 that meant traveling too, because it was in such a great shape inside.


PS, thanks about the photos.  I do photography on my spare time..  Lots..
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: AE_Collector on May 18, 2010, 10:48:29 PM
Oh, well why didn't you say so. Now I feel like an idiot (just pulling your chain).

I wish I had thought of that. BB's are the things you shoot out of a gun right? Just want to be sure when I ask at the computer store!

PS: I am told that I have a bit of an odd sense of humour so I just want to be sure that you realize that I am making fun of myself, NOT YOU!

Terry

Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 18, 2010, 10:51:44 PM
Though I'm only 23, I'm an old schooler when it comes to forums, lol

Anyways, I hope to make a home here.  I won't likely have many technical questions, since these phones are so rock solid, but I'm sure I'll come up with something to show off.
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 18, 2010, 11:06:28 PM
Quote from: ae_collector on May 18, 2010, 10:48:29 PM
Oh, well why didn't you say so. Now I feel like an idiot (just pulling your chain).

I wish I had thought of that. BB's are the things you shoot out of a gun right? Just want to be sure when I ask at the computer store!

PS: I am told that I have a bit of an odd sense of humour so I just want to be sure that you realize that I am making fun of myself, NOT YOU!

Terry


For the record, BB's are .177 caliber.
Terry, I don't need to remind you that the young kids like to mess with old Farts.
I suspect he is baiting us for giggles. Darn kids, always showing off.
Jim
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: McHeath on May 18, 2010, 11:08:16 PM
Welcome mmd!  Great 302, it's in good shape, looks nice and original, but inside it's able to interface with the modern world.  For me one of the cool things about these old phones is that they are still so usable, you can't say that about a lot of past technologies.  I collect old computers as well, and they are pretty much limited to their time period, running their eras software and stuck in whatever year they were made.  Old phones are not like that, a phone made in 1940 can still make calls, and with the addition of the Rotatone do pretty much everything you need for standard phone service.  

Your 500 has an interesting cloth handset cord.  Was that on it when you got it?  I don't know if they made them that way, though I have heard that cloth line cords were installed on some.  Others here probably know more.  
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 18, 2010, 11:13:08 PM
Quote from: Jim S. on May 18, 2010, 11:06:28 PM
I suspect he is baiting us for giggles. Darn kids, always showing off.
Jim
Lol no, if that was the case, I wouldn't have spent $200 to buy my 302..  I'm dead serious.

Quote from: McHeath on May 18, 2010, 11:08:16 PM
Welcome mmd!  Great 302, it's in good shape, looks nice and original, but inside it's able to interface with the modern world.  For me one of the cool things about these old phones is that they are still so usable, you can't say that about a lot of past technologies.  I collect old computers as well, and they are pretty much limited to their time period, running their eras software and stuck in whatever year they were made.  Old phones are not like that, a phone made in 1940 can still make calls, and with the addition of the Rotatone do pretty much everything you need for standard phone service. 

Your 500 has an interesting cloth handset cord.  Was that on it when you got it?  I don't know if they made them that way, though I have heard that cloth line cords were installed on some.  Others here probably know more. 
The 500 did have the cords replaced, I did that, and I did retrofit it with cloth cords and not vinyl cords..  Just liked the look of it with the cloth cords.
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 18, 2010, 11:15:46 PM
Don't mean to double post but I totally forgot!

This 302 is the metal version, not the thermoplastic model.  I made sure to get the metal version because it was an earlier model.
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: AE_Collector on May 18, 2010, 11:18:51 PM
Quote from: Jim S. on May 18, 2010, 11:06:28 PM

For the record, BB's are .177 caliber.
Terry, I don't need to remind you that the young kids like to mess with old Farts.
I suspect he is baiting us for giggles. Darn kids, always showing off.
Jim

Oh thanks Jim. I'll write that down on my etch-a-sketch and take it with me tomorrow so that I am sure to get the right BB's.

Expect to see pictures from me with individual subtitles as soon as I'm back home tomorrow with the gun.

Terry
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: McHeath on May 18, 2010, 11:23:43 PM
Ah a metal 302, they weigh what, about 7 pounds?  Love that! 
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 18, 2010, 11:29:53 PM
Quote from: McHeath on May 18, 2010, 11:23:43 PM
Ah a metal 302, they weigh what, about 7 pounds?  Love that! 
Heh, yea, it is quite heavy.  Shipping was expensive for it.
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: JorgeAmely on May 18, 2010, 11:33:49 PM
Quote from: ae_collector on May 18, 2010, 10:48:29 PM
... Oh, well why didn't you say so. Now I feel like an idiot (just pulling your chain) ...

Terry

WARNING: What you post on the internet, stays on the net forever!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 18, 2010, 11:34:30 PM
PM me your old phone wants. I have a lot of good stuff that you can get at a very reasonable price/trade . I am overloaded with excess phone stuff, And I have a soft spot for smart-alec kids (been there).

Really, let me know, I have a lot of phone "crap" that I would like to sell cheap, I need more room for my keepers. This offer is open to all you young kids and old farts.  I am way open for trading.

Jimk
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 18, 2010, 11:40:49 PM
I'm not that young anymore, I kinda moved on with my life at an early age.  ;)  Had too for personal reasons.

Far from smart alec too, I strive on my politeness, and how good I was raised.
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 18, 2010, 11:44:05 PM
Noted, and apologies extended.
I guess I am just getting cranky.
Jim
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 19, 2010, 12:00:18 AM
I also honestly don't know your ages, I could care less.

The way I see it, we all have one thing in common, old telephones, and thats why I joined.

No need to apology, I figured you guys were just yanking my chain anyway.
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 19, 2010, 12:02:13 AM
Quote from: mmd on May 19, 2010, 12:00:18 AM
I also honestly don't know your ages, I could care less.

The way I see it, we all have one thing in common, old telephones, and thats why I joined.

No need to apology, I figured you guys were just yanking my chain anyway.
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 19, 2010, 12:10:11 AM
I'm confused, you just quoted me but didn't say anything..
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: AE_Collector on May 19, 2010, 12:12:25 AM
Jim nodded off. He'll be up again at 5AM.

Terry
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 19, 2010, 12:14:57 AM
I am old, and have a right to be confused and make mistakes. Why are you picking on me, whippersnapper?

Just kidding,
I I screwed up on this newfangled forum stuff.
Jim
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 19, 2010, 12:20:56 AM
First time I've ever been called a whippersnapper..

Just FYI though, I'm bad at sarcasm, I have a mild form of Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, and being bad at sarcasm is one of the symptoms (along with fascination with electronics, haha)..  Though with Autism, I succeeded well through school, honor rolls, directors lists, and even got certified in the IT field.

I'm not like other whippersnappers.  ;)  I actually have something going for myself.
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: AE_Collector on May 19, 2010, 12:36:49 AM
We aren't very good at Sarcasm either...no one on this forum is.

We are just being our usual goofy selves tonight.

I snagged a small hoard of phones today from a retired co-worker and have been going through them all between checking for the latest posts here.

Terry
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 19, 2010, 12:38:28 AM
Besides the two phones I mentioned, I only have one other old phone, but it's really just an early 90's late 80's touch tone multi line speaker phone.  It's an AT&T phone.

I don't use it anymore because it takes 3 AA's..
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: Jim Stettler on May 19, 2010, 01:07:38 AM
Quote from: ae_collector on May 19, 2010, 12:36:49 AM
We aren't very good at Sarcasm either...no one on this forum is.

We are just being our usual goofy selves tonight.

I snagged a small hoard of phones today from a retired co-worker and have been going through them all between checking for the latest posts here.

Terry
I understand the goofy part. tell us about your score. Make me jealous.
Jim
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: AE_Collector on May 19, 2010, 01:43:35 AM
Quote from: Jim S. on May 19, 2010, 01:07:38 AM
I understand the goofy part. tell us about your score. Make me jealous.
Jim

I knew that comment wouldn't go by without more questions.

I'll take and post some pics soon but meanwhile, here's the roster:

4 AE 40's, one with full chrome
3 AE 50's, one with full chrome
2 extra full chrome AE type 41 handsets
1 AE 1A set
1 Leich 901 Magneto convertible
1 AE 880 Speakerphone in Black, like new
1 AE 182 Starlite in FMN Blue, badly discolored (Sandpaper time)
1 AE 192 Starlite wall phone in white, badly discolored (spare parts most likely)
1 AE 192 Starlite wall phone in black, nice shape
A bunch of new in package spade type set cords in various colors and a spare chrome Finger Wheel AE dial

And, oh yes - a like new chrome AE 3 slot payphone

Total purchase price = "get it out of here". He frequents Starbucks (Big Bucks) so I think I'll get him a Starbucks card to keep him going for quite awhile.

Terry

Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: AE_Collector on May 19, 2010, 01:53:52 AM
Quote from: Jim S. on May 18, 2010, 11:34:30 PM
PM me your old phone wants. I have a lot of good stuff that you can get at a very reasonable price/trade . I am overloaded with excess phone stuff
Jim

A clear AE Styleline ........

Terry
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: Phonesrfun on May 19, 2010, 02:06:09 AM
mmd:

Welcome to the forum!

I would chalk it up to the Voip.  I use Vonage, and I get a slight echo sometimes too.  You just have to love modern technology.  It's something we love to hate.

Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: AET on May 19, 2010, 02:48:02 AM
mmd, welcome!  I'm just a smart-alec kid too (19) and watch for Kenny, I think he's 14, so you're not along in the younger set. 

Jim-
If you're bored, feel free to think of some goodies for me to spend my paycheck on :)
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 19, 2010, 02:51:30 AM
Thanks guys.

I featured my 302 in a new video i put up on youtube..  you can hear the rotatone working in this vid..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXBe4TPiClQ
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: foots on May 19, 2010, 03:32:33 AM
  Welcome to the "club" mmd. That's some pretty nice stuff you got there. 
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: Dan/Panther on May 19, 2010, 01:30:27 PM
Is the handset cord on your 500 clothe covered it looks like it. If it's rubber where did you get it ?
D/P
Title: Re: Me and my 302
Post by: mmd on May 19, 2010, 01:40:30 PM
Quote from: Dan/Panther on May 19, 2010, 01:30:27 PM
Is the handset cord on your 500 clothe covered it looks like it. If it's rubber where did you get it ?
D/P
It is indeed cloth.  I got it from the same guy who sells the rotatone, oldphoneworks.com