New Item: Keysender #5

[DavePEI]

A keysender was a device used by switchboard operators in lieu of a dial. It would allow them to enter a phone number at speeds of up to 20 wpm and it would output that number in pulse digits as would a dial.

It would output digit sequences with an inter digital pause of 600 ms.

Someone else recently got one of these as well - I looked for that post today, only couldn't find it - I got mine in the batch from Don Woodbury, and am just now getting around to cleaning it up. For the photos below, it is shown cover off.

The photos show a front view including the keys, back photo showing the wiring that connects to the keyboard connector, and third, the circular keyboard connection blank.

Mine runs a bit lethargically - it is likely a thorough lubrication of the levers and gears and a cleaning of the governor will help this.

I thought I would show you this - it a less than usual item in a collection!

The amazing TCI Library has a document on the keysender:
http://telephonecollectors.info/index.php/browse/doc_details/1154-keysender-no-5-1

Dave

[DavePEI]

An interesting way to think of these is as a Non-Rotary-Dial. While on the surface, they appear more like a touch tone dial, they are actually a pulse dial entirely mechanically activated.

Dave

[HarrySmith]

That's pretty cool! I think I remember a discussion on the lists a while back about these. It looks pretty complicated inside!

[kleinkaliber]

Very cool! Wasn't there an article in Singing Wires about these not to long ago?

[DavePEI]

Very cool! Wasn't there an article in Singing Wires about these not to long ago?

Not sure where is was. I do remember seeing someone had just gotten one. Which struck me as I had just gotten mine! I did check back TCI issues and didn't see it there, but perhaps in ATCA news or perhaps on the ATCA Photo page.

[LarryInMichigan]

The No. 5 Keysender was mentioned in this: forum link thread, and there is information here: http://www.britishtelephones.com/keysend5.htm about it.  Yours has the British lettering, no I wonder if it was used in Canada.

Larry

[DavePEI]

The No. 5 Keysender was mentioned in this: forum link thread, and there is information here: http://www.britishtelephones.com/keysend5.htm about it.  Yours has the British lettering, no I wonder if it was used in Canada.

Larry

Hi Larry:

Yes, I have seen that page.What we were talking about, is that quite recently, either here, on TCI or ATCA, someone posted a photo of one they have just gotten. This happened within a few weeks of my getting mine, so I am wondering if they both came from the same source. Just curiosity, but since then, I haven't been able to find that reference again....

I still need to do some work on mine - at times you will depress a number, and it won't wind itself to advance it. It may simply be a matter of cleaning and lubrication, or could be a bad clutch. Anyway, it is a truly interesting item!

Photo: Keysender cleaned up and with the cover re-installed....

Dave