Recent posts

#71

Technical "Stuff" / Re: Converting old wall-mount ...

Last post by chconnor - April 14, 2026, 03:23:12 PM

Thanks! I don't think the phone owner is going to put that much effort in, but that's awesome to know.

#72

Western Electric Pay Phones / Re: WE Phone Booth with Phone ...

Last post by TelePlay - April 14, 2026, 03:12:28 PM

A member named Paul Vaverchak has been mentioned in other threads on payphone locks as having a collection of upper keys, or knowing what keys were used in what regions, not sure if he is still around or what.

Paul Vaverchak died some time ago, before the fall of 2014.

IIRC, someone on the Forum bought his key cutting equipment, maybe "payphone installer." Don't know.

#73

Technical "Stuff" / Re: What determines the volume...

Last post by MaximRecoil - April 14, 2026, 03:06:56 PM

Were did you measure the volume? On the line, or on the receiver?

At the handset, using a VEC LRX-35, which connects inline with the handset cord and has an audio cable that plugs into the microphone jack on a PC.

#74

Western Electric Pay Phones / Re: WE Phone Booth with Phone ...

Last post by 5415551212 - April 14, 2026, 01:35:35 PM

It seems upper locks on these Single slot payphones were usually regionally coded so someone may have one for Upstate NY ?
A member named Paul Vaverchak has been mentioned in other threads on payphone locks as having a collection of upper keys, or knowing what keys were used in what regions, not sure if he is still around or what. I wonder if there is thread on these regional keys or a index online somewhere ?

I also found this old thread on drilling the ring of the lock with an "Annular Cutter" seems better than the impact driver method;
Scroll down the the bottom where thankfully TelePlay has saved the photos:
https://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=10065.0

#75

Technical "Stuff" / Re: WE 801C/801CR Automatic Ca...

Last post by rcourtney - April 14, 2026, 08:31:40 AM

Default nose cap work in progress.

#76

Technical "Stuff" / Re: What determines the volume...

Last post by dsk - April 14, 2026, 12:49:37 AM

Were did you measure the volume? On the line, or on the receiver?
The anti sidetone are just slightly different on the 500 and 2500 circuits.
That difference will also make a difference on the signal out to the other party, but I have never measured.

#77

Western Electric Pay Phones / Re: WE Phone Booth with Phone ...

Last post by Westrex - April 13, 2026, 11:50:40 PM

Even if you get the top key, your still going to need a T-Key to open both upper and lower housings as well as the coinbox lid.

You can buy one for $20 (a bit pricey) here at payphone.com, at Triad Universal, or probably on eBay.

#78

Auction Talk / Re: Unusual clear phone on eba...

Last post by 5415551212 - April 13, 2026, 09:55:41 PM

Well I checked on this phone today and it has been relisted a few times now:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/298193799605

#79

General Discussion / Re: External & Internal Messag...

Last post by 5415551212 - April 13, 2026, 06:22:31 PM

Only a limited number of ATAs/devices support a neon message waiting lamp. These were usually designed for businesses or hotels where the older neon types were already in place. The more common these days is the CLASS LED type, as it simply requires a message be sent, the same type as caller ID. Before you become too deeply invested be certain that the neon lamp will work with whatever source you are using.

Yeah it will be interesting to see if the Grandstream HT's do really pump 90V or whatever out to light a real neon.
My Cisco stuff all does support the 52 volt DC I have never tried it, but I imagine that's why LED replacements mention 50V compatible. 

#80

Networks, Subsets, Coils & Tubes / Re: A Guide to WE 425, 4010 an...

Last post by HarrySmith - April 13, 2026, 04:37:37 PM

Thank you John. I think I have all of these somewhere in my phone stuff but it is nice to have them all in one place. Very convenient.