Hello, I haven't received my D1 phone yet, but, I was wondering how to tell what subset to get for it?
What would you suggest?
The common anti-sidetone subsets for a 202 are the 634 and 684. The 634 is a large steel box, while the 684 is much smaller and thinner with a bakelite cover. The 684, being smaller and more inconspicuous tends to go for higher prices than the big 634, but with a little patience, you can fine either one for around $50.
If sidetone isn't a concern, you can use a 534 or 584 subset. Same deal as the 6XX subsets... 534 is in a big metal case, 584 is the smaller bakelite subset.
What would you think of this one?
180429025855 on ebay?
I think that's a very, very nice subset. Given the high starting price, it may deter some bidders, making it possible that you might get that one fairly easily.
Thanks, Bingster!
Well, the price is certainly getting up there.
I wonder what you think of this from Gary Schneider?
I have W.E. 300 phone base with reproduction
plastic cover - basically same as a W.E. 684 with
W.E. 101A induction coil, ringer bell and caps.
Requires a 4 conductor cord to phone - $57.50
nto:
That would function well as a subset. What it comprises is a 302 base than has a cover made probably by Ray Kotke. The 302 base makes a good subset, and it is, electrically the same as a 684 subset, and is antisidetone. In fact, I once made a subset from a 302, myself and used a Ray Kotke cover. I think the cover cost me around $35 or $40.
If you were not concerned about the looks, just a 302 base would work just fine without a cover, and those can be gotten for pretty cheap. I think the thing that is keeping the one you are talking about over the $50 range is the cost to him for the cover.
PS: About combining the threads....Dennis is an avid reader of the threads, so he will see that we have been discussing it. You can also send him a personal message through the forum. If he is on, he will see it then for sure.
Thanks for the quick response. The subset on EBay goes off in a little bit.
Those covers by Ray Kotke are now either $20 or $25, plus of course shipping. I have a couple of them, one in black and one in Ivory and they make a rreally nice "subset". The nice thing about them is that because of the 302 foot pads on the base, they can sit on the table and the phone can sit atop of it to save space---or not. It's a nice alternative. But the are not "original". They look very similar to the 684 subset. I think I've posted photos on here before.
Here's one of the postings with photos:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=349.msg3134#msg3134
I guess I am going to have to take a look at Ray's prices again. Looks like they have come down some. I bought mine probably 3 years ago. The ivory would look great for my Imperial.
I have a few 302 bases too. So, nto, if you come up needing to go that route, I can sell you one for cheap.
Bill, Ray posted something a while back that he had acquired some help in his shp and was producing these. I think he had black for $20 and Ivory for $25. When I spoke with him at the Mason, MI TCI show in April he had no more left and didn't have a plan when he'd be making more. But since then he began producing them again. Or as I write this maybe he was just making them in black and had increased the price to $25. I bought two from him a couple of years ago for $20 each--again at the phone show.
I just checked the information Ray posted on the TCI in May. He wrote this at that time:
We have also cast a FEW in Ivory too. Additionally, we have a few
replacement Western Electric 584/684 subset covers too, in BLACK and IVORY.
Prices are as follows:
302 subset Cover - BLACK $20 + shipping
IVORY $25 + shipping
Western Electric 584/684 Cover - BLACK - $22.00 + shipping
IVORY - $25.00 + shipping
Shipping is via USPS Priority, and I can fit -6- of the 684 covers into a
regular, flat-rate box. Single covers ship in the small Priority box for
about $5.00 for 1 pc.
Ray Kotke
http://telephonecreations.com
Oh, yes, I think that is what I should do!
Bill,
How much would you be willing to sell one for? Will it fit in a flat rate box?
That would be WONDERFUL--I was thinking about those feet! That is very nice.
Pictures of the 302 base
Great! That's great!
It is actually possible to make a (temporary?) subset very simple.
It works! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/dsk/Telephone/th_Simplyfiedsubset.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v480/dsk/Telephone/?action=view¤t=Simplyfiedsubset.jpg)
Both capacitors may be from 0.5-4.7 μF. I would try 0.5-1 μF in series with the ringer, and 2-4.7 μF in series with the receiver. Just depending on what i have. (nonpolarized and more than 100V)
dsk
Thanks--I'm going to study that. Right now, I'm not really sure what all that means, but I have an electrical handbook I can study.
May this be better? Some more names on the components, and a picture of a ringer and some capacitors.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/dsk/Telephone/th_Simplyfiedsubset1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v480/dsk/Telephone/?action=view¤t=Simplyfiedsubset1.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/dsk/Telephone/th_09112009705.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v480/dsk/Telephone/?action=view¤t=09112009705.jpg)
dsk
Yes, that does help--thank you!. I love the words on there. It makes tons more sense.
I'm going to learn these schematics if it kills me, though....
Wait a minute! You're going to destroy a 302 to make a subset? But I love 302s! Perhaps I'm just an old curmudgeon, but wouldn't it be possible to destroy a grubby five-dollar 500-set from the local antique bin instead, and save the 302?
Bill
Bill:
I hear you on that one.
It was already that way when I got it. I bought a bunch of parts from a collector in town that is mostly into woodies, and so I bought a bunch of bare-bones parts from him.
If I had a whole 302, I would not part it out, that's for sure.
At this juncture, a 302 base getting use as a subset is far better than it just sitting in a box in my basement. Besides, no wires are cut in the process and no re-wiring. It is totally non destructive. Just hook up the phone to existing connections. That is one of the things that is attractive about this alternative.
It is a lot of possibilities, and you should definitely not ruin a working phone.
I hate to throw away things, and just picked some things I had stored for my idea to a subset.
You may need a ringer, or listen to the 302 as it is ringing. A coil (as simple as an old shaver-motor) and a capacitor may be the simplest hybrid circuit replacement possible, except for just connecting to the line, and let the circuit be transmitter and receiver in series (,which is no good for the receiver).
Now you have to dig in the shed, basement or??? and tell me what you have. Together we may make a working subset like no one else :o
dsk
Bil, that's exactly what I did as well. I bought some 302 bases that a collector was selling. I would never take apart a good phone just for the base. But the bases that I bought cleaned up nice and work as a subset with the Ray Kotke cover....until the right "real" subset comes along. There is no doubt that the ringer in the old subscriber sets sound different than the ringers in the 302's. I really like that old sound that comes from the older subsets.
Quote from: Bill on November 10, 2009, 10:48:08 AM...but wouldn't it be possible to destroy a grubby five-dollar 500-set from the local antique bin instead, and save the 302?
It's possible, but it's a complicated solution. Occasionally, you'll see pre-302 telephones mated to the 685 subset, which is the 1950s-1980s subset with 500 components inside. It can be done, but it requires a lot of wiring modifications in the subset and within the phone plus a six conductor mounting cord.
The easiest and simplest thing to do is to take a loose 101A coil and hook it up between the line and phone. I did that for a 202 before I had a subset--just a loose coil sitting under a chair.
Quote from: PhonesrfunBill:
I hear you on that one.
It was already that way when I got it. I bought a bunch of parts from a collector in town that is mostly into woodies, and so I bought a bunch of bare-bones parts from him.
If I had a whole 302, I would not part it out, that's for sure.
Whew! Glad to hear it. I was about to make an open offer to swap 302's for 500's any day of the week. Complete 500's seem to be underfoot in my neck of the woods - 302's, not so much.
Bill
An even simpler way to manage without subset is described at page 11 (Skip the switch) in this document. http://tinyurl.com/y9e2km8
dsk
What a neat article!
Thanks for posting the url.