I have used phone lines, line simulators, Panasonic 61610 PBX, WE KSUs and several testers. All techniques work.
For simple tests I routinely use the Radio Shack tester, as the basic switchhook, receiver, transmitter, dial and ringer tests can easily be completed in under a minute with a little practice.
See this thread:
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=4386.0
2CV - agreed another handy use for that set.
Man, I love the telephone collecting community! Since I got no response here about an available tester I put a message on the lists. I got a member who offered to send me a Panasonic 616 for the cost of shipping!!! Where else can you find people like that!!
Yeah, I saw the same thing. I also found brand new ones for the same price off eBay. I was not asking for a KSU but it was suggested and since the price was right......
Now I have to figure out how it works!
I think the 616 would be a good solution for you.
Cool, thanks guys. I can't wait to get it! In looking at the install manual it appears it needs an incoming phone line, which I don't have. Is this right??
The phone line is only needed if you plan to make calls with it, mine has not phoneline and still works fine... :)
One trick with them is to connect a free extension port (I usually use the last one on mine, which is 36, would be 26 on a US version) to the last CO port, then when you dial said extension, it'll make the whole system ring your phones with an external call ring cadence, perfect for demoing the ringers of your phones... :)
Quote from: HarrySmith on December 29, 2012, 07:11:38 AM
Cool, thanks guys. I can't wait to get it! In looking at the install manual it appears it needs an incoming phone line, which I don't have. Is this right??
I am assuming you are talking about the Panasonic?
No, you don't need to have an incoming line. Just connect them as extensions, then dial from one extension to another, i.e dial from ext. 11 to 12, 13, 14. etc.
Dave
It will only access a POTS line by dialling 9, if there is no line connected it (obviously) won't pick it up.
Quote from: poplar1 on January 10, 2013, 10:26:09 AM
The same seller just sold another BK 1050 today for $150:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150977743392
Yep, they are very popular ones!
Dave
Got my Panasonic today!! Not only did he send me the PBX, I also got a Panasonic telephone to go with it and a looseleaf binder with all the manuals in it! All for the cost of UPS shipping, $40.00! Now to figure out how to use it.
The default program is as follows:
Dialing from one extension to another
Dialing 9 for an outside line, starting with line 1
Dialing ? for a particular outside line
Ringing of all extensions on an incoming C.O. call; just pick up any phone to answer
Transfer of incoming C.O. call from one extension to another (Flash and dial ext. #)
You can wire an ext. port into a line port then dial that ext. # to ring the other 15 phones since it will look like an incoming C.O. call.
Quote from: HarrySmith on January 14, 2013, 07:32:00 PM
Got my Panasonic today!! Not only did he send me the PBX, I also got a Panasonic telephone to go with it and a looseleaf binder with all the manuals in it! All for the cost of UPS shipping, $40.00! Now to figure out how to use it.
Great deal!
Quote from: poplar1 on January 14, 2013, 08:32:27 PM
The default program is as follows:
Ringing of all extensions on an incoming C.O. call; just pick up any phone to answer
They'll ring in cascading order unless you set it up otherwise. I never looked at the manual for my 308, because I thought it was funner that way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILUvbF62yB4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILUvbF62yB4)
Key systems installed in offices usually have only one or two phones ringing for the listed directory number calls, and other phones that ring only for a personal line. So cascading is not usually a problem.
I think the ring generator is too small to ring more than 4 ports at once (up to two phones per port).
[EDIT: MAX 6 STANDARD PHONES PER RINGING GROUP]
You can always put phones within hearing range on every 4th station port (1st, 5th, 9th, 13th or 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, etc.) Or put similar sounding phones together: for example, 8A ringers (candlesticks) on 1,5,9,13; 78A ringers (202s with 684A subsets) on 2,6,10,14; B1AL ringers (302s) on 3,7,11,15; C4A ringers (500s) on 4, 8, 12,16.
Does the cascading happen only on single line ("Industry Standard") phones or also on the proprietary multi-line Panasonic phones?
Quote from: poplar1 on January 14, 2013, 09:23:20 PM
Does the cascading happen only on single line ("Industry Standard") phones or also on the proprietary multi-line Panasonic phones?
I don't know if I am reading you right, but my prop phone (7130) is on 21, another phone is on 27, and a Dictograph on 36, the only three numbers I programmed to ring on incoming calls, and they all cascade.
David W. mentioned dialing ? for a specific outside line, instead of dialing 9 to get the first available outside line. On my 616, and I assume the same on the 308, you dial 81 to get outside line 1, 82 for outside line 2 and so forth.
21 would ring first (21, 25, 29, and 33 ring together)
(22, 26, 30 and 34 ring together next)
27 next (23, 27, 31 and 35 ring together)
36 last (24, 28, 32, 36 ring together)
Just in case anyone need a softcopy of the manual....Doug
Doug, thanks for posting the link for the installation manual.
Other than ebay, what are some good sources (re:cheap) for the 616?
Quote from: m1898 on November 24, 2013, 12:13:02 AM
Other than ebay, what are some good sources (re:cheap) for the 616?
Local businesses upgrading, auction houses, swapmeets, etc.... :)
Don't forget Craigslist.
Question on the Panasonic PBX. I have never unplugged mine or turned it off since I got it. Do you leave yours on all the time or do you shut it down when not in use? I will sometimes go weeks without using it. I was curious if disconnecting it may extend the life or not. I seem to recall a discussion somewhere stating they were not meant to turn off & on but I could not find it.
What's your opinion?
Quote from: HarrySmith on August 04, 2021, 08:11:16 AM
Question on the Panasonic PBX. I have never unplugged mine or turned it off since I got it. Do you leave yours on all the time or do you shut it down when not in use? I will sometimes go weeks without using it. I was curious if disconnecting it may extend the life or not. I seem to recall a discussion somewhere stating they were not meant to turn off & on but I could not find it.
What's your opinion?
Harry....I leave it on 24 x 7. Two ports I use on my test bench.
The Rotary phones I have working, I use the spare pairs in my house cable to location so I can dial out and keep the cordless phones separate....Doug