TL test set and J99296K meter unit

[GarrettFuller]

Thought some on here might enjoy this...

While on vacation in May, I made some stops at several former AT&T Long Lines microwave repeater sites in Illinois to photograph them. Among the sites was Illinois Bell's Fowler relay site -- a Baby Bell site featuring a passive reflector/"periscope"/"flyswatter" setup for relaying TV traffic between a spur route from Berlin heading into nearby Quincy.

The site, owned by American Tower, had long been vacated and the door to the equipment shelter ajar. The equipment shelter was fairly empty, though the Onan genset controller and Carrier window AC unit was still in place.

However, I would discover some more equipment outside while photographing the site's two passive reflector panels. Outside the tower area, opposite the equipment shelter, was a few pieces of gear that appeared to be original to the site.




Ant-filled loudspeakers were found in the grass next to a TL microwave test set, along with a J99296K meter unit and some other gear. Although hesitant, I couldn't help but "rescue" some of the gear -- resulting in me loading up the TL test set and meter unit in my trunk before leaving.

Fast forward a few months, I decided to open the equipment. First up, the J99296K meter unit featuring the pre-1969 (c. 1964) Bell System logo. Unfortunately, it's in rather rough condition after lying down in the grass for who knows how long. Dirt is caked in its connector, the plastic rear housing is cracked, and one of the screws was difficult to remove due to rust. As I opened the meter, dirt crumbled out.





Now for what really captured my attention: the J99262AA L2 TL test set, which would've been used with the TL microwave radio system used at Fowler. Unfortunately, info about the TL radio is rather scarce. What I could find is the transistorized TL operated at 11 GHz, making it more common with short-haul paths in areas with drier climates.

The test set is in a two-piece metal box that snaps together much like an old lunchbox. In the top is a little compartment for the cables and connectors, while the bottom contains the actual tester unit. This test set is also pretty rough on the outside, and its cord is completely deteriorated -- making it unusable. (Not that I'd trust connecting it to AC power even if the cord was intact.) I wasn't sure what condition the inside would be in.

After loosening four captive screws, the test set unit chassis slid out of the metal box. I was surprised... even after being exposed to Mother Nature and critters for who knows how long, the inside was almost as clean as a whistle.






The test set has a bunch of components branded as Western Electric -- from the main power transformer to diodes and capacitors. Date codes range from early 1967 to early 1968, indicating the set was likely manufactured in 1968 or 1969. It appears to be built with serviceability in mind, and has many potentiometers inside.



Any former Bell System employees remember using this equipment? Would love to hear more about the equipment, especially since my technical knowledge is quite limited.