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Bell system 81A2 ...what is it?

Started by RB, February 25, 2021, 10:02:53 PM

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RB

just got this off ebay.
Thot it was a complete test phone, but now I see, I have no idea what exactly this thing is.
It holds 2 D cells, has a line wire with clamp/pierce, gator clips, and a switch with C and T on it

Key2871

That's an early tone (buzzer) continuity tester.
When the leads are connected to wires if the switch is in "C"ontinuity, it sends a battery down the line. When set for "T"one is makes a buzzing sound on the wires.
So the tech can find the proper pair or see if there's an open in the line some where.
It's used 2 D cell battery to power it.
KEN

Jim Stettler

Continuity buzzer and can be used as talk battery between sets' 'no signalling'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A continuity tester is a good tool.  It provides the info you need.
A continuity tester. is the best simple  way to understand stand Dc circuits.

If you  have 2 telephones then you can make a simple  intercom circuit to play with.
for play purposes it doesn't matter if you hook it series or  parallel circuit for  talk battery between 2 sets

==================================================================

Ralph Meyers'  book contains a lot of information and projects
____________________________________________________
Ralph's book is  as a great resource regarding telephones. He also covers creating private intercom systems. ....and it is free.

Jim S.

Extracted from this link

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=21134.msg215754#msg215754


--------------------------------------------

Here is a free download of Ralph Meyers book:
https://repository.lib.ncsu.edu/handle/1840.20/35318
Ralph Meyer "Old Time Telephones"
posted this on the TCI list:
Hello,

Earlier this year, an article that Russell Flinchum and I wrote on Henry
Dreyfuss and Bell Telephones was published in the Winterthur
Portfolio.*  They usually charge $20 to download an article, but because
we told them the telephone clubs might have an interest, they agreed to
make it available free until June 1 at

https://bit.ly/2qcvHcG

I just checked, and it is still available free.  I hope you will
download it.

Ralph

*The journal is published three times a year for the Henry Francis du
Pont Winterthur Museum by The University of Chicago Press.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I contacted Ralph and asked permission to post the link.
His Reply:
Jim,

Yes, please!  Will you also post the link to my book's 3rd edition. It's
free as well.  Thank you very much.

https://repository.lib.ncsu.edu/handle/1840.20/35318

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You live, You learn,
You die, you forget it all.

RB


paul-f

Details on the 81A Test Set are found in WE and NE catalogs and the Catalog Cards in the TCI Library.

There are also several issues of BSPs found with this search:

https://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php/search?q=81a+test

...and info on use in various tests can be found using a Google site search in the Library for 81a "test set"
Visit: paul-f.com         WE  500  Design_Line

.

Witty

Jim,
I bought the 2005 hard copy 2nd edition years ago. I was curious if you could briefly summarize what changes I could expect in the 3rd edition, or if they are significant enough.
Thanks!
Ken
Ken

Jim Stettler

Quote from: Witty on February 26, 2021, 01:21:06 PM
Jim,
I bought the 2005 hard copy 2nd edition years ago. I was curious if you could briefly summarize what changes I could expect in the 3rd edition, or if they are significant enough.
Thanks!
Ken

I don't know what the changes in the 3rd edition are.
Jim
You live, You learn,
You die, you forget it all.

RB