Handsets for Telephone Systems

Mike Sandman... Chicago's Telecom Expert - 630-980-7710

HANDSETS for TELEPHONE SYSTEMS & KIOSKS

Starting at $9.95 each... Call us at 630-980-7710

G-Style Handset with Screw-on Caps

G-Style

It used to be simple...

The first handset on modern phones was the G-Style, on the left. It was rounded at the ends, and had screw-on caps. It fit the hand well and sounded great.

It's still used on pay phones, and anywhere you need a rugged handset that will stand-up to abuse.

The next handset on modern phones was the K-Style, on the right. It was more squared off, but it still fit the hand well - and sounds great.

K-Style Handset

K-Style

Even though handsets look the same on many brands of phones, the insides of the handsets are often different. The receivers are normally similar, but the transmitters (microphones) can be different (even for the exact same model of phone, depending on when it was made). Most manufacturers follow an industry standard for the wiring to the modular jack in the handset (which wires go to the transmitter and receiver), but some don't - most noticeably GE and RCA brand single line and multi-line KSU-less phones (which are really strange).

M-Style Hanset for Northern Telecom Phones

M-Style

Now there are LOTS of different
shaped handsets!

T-Style Handset for Northern Telecom Phones

T-Style

Euro 2

Euro 1

Linksys SPA

Cisco

If we don't have a special handset for your particular system, we may be able
to add Noise Cancelling, Amplification,
Push-to-Mute and
Push-to-Talk to
your handset!

And so many more that we need a computer program to figure out which one you need...

Our Handset Lookup Program tells us how to make your handset. Without our custom software, there's no way to manaufactuer handsets!

We currently have over 1500 makes and models of business telephones listed. When you call us, we ask you the make and model, and we look for it in the program - which tells us the type of shell to use, the type of transmitter and receiver, the type of amplifier for an amplified handset, and the color. We don't always need the exact make and model, since we can search for any part of a word or model number to find your handset. As you can see in the screen shot (above), we have over 200 listings for Avaya / Lucent / AT&T phones alone!

We put that information on your order, which then goes to production. It usually ships the same day if you call us by 2:30PM Chicago time.

We manufacture and test your handset to order right in our shop, and usually ship the same day you call!

After we manufacture your handset, it's tested on a phone for that particular type of handset, using a real live human's ear! We have quite a few test systems in our shop, so we can test every handset we make.

We have amplified, noise cancelling, PTT, PTM and replacement handsets for most of the phones made by most phone system manufacturers:

AT&T / Lucent / Avaya / G3 / Definity / Partner / Merlin
Northern Telecom / NT / Nortel / Norstar / Meridian
Toshiba
Panasonic
ESI / Estech
Samsung
NEC / Nitsuko / TIE
Vodavi / Vertical
Comdial / Stromberg Carlson
ITT / Cortelco
Atlas / Key System US
Inter-tel / Mitel
...and LOTS more!

NOTE: We also make special handsets for OEMs, including Push-to-Operate 6 wire handsets in hardwire (with spade lugs), armored and modular. We make handsets with double prong operator plugs, and any special plug you can think of. We can put a volume control on a handset without an amplifier in it, if you can drive the handset loud enough with your device. We can put volume control wheels and PTT/PTM buttons on the outside of the shell, instead of inside where your fingers rest. We can make almost any handset into a 2 wire phone (tip and ring) without a dial by putting a network in the handset. If you need a strange handset, we can probably make it... FAST!

There are a lot of really strange shaped handsets out there. Some of them don't sound great, or they don't feel great in the hand. But most of them look pretty cool. In many cases the ear and mouth part are essentially the same size and shape as the K-Style handset, which Bell Labs spent a ton of time and money coming up with (which is based on the original G-Style handset). In some cases the entire shape is very strange, and there was no engineering involved - just a designer (who would never have to use the phone anyway).

Because the human ear and mouth haven't changed recently, it makes sense for modern telephone manufacturers to keep the K-Style size, angle and placement of the parts that go up against your head. The size and shape of the concave (indented) part of the receiver on the handset is critical to the sound of the handset, as is the acoustic seal of both the transmitter and receiver inside the handset.

If you don't like the handset for a particular phone, we can check our Handset Lookup Program, which might tell us if there's an equivalent handset that will look a little different, work well, and hang-up properly on the phone.

If you're looking for an amplified handset for someone who wears a hearing aid, CLICK HERE to read our Hearing Aid Compatibility Technical Bulletin. Sometimes they need to operate an automatic T/M switch, as well as have amplification which will also increase the magnetic output of the handset. Some of the receivers in modern handsets don't have enough magnetic output to activate the reed relay in the hearing aid, which automatically turns-on the telephone pickup in the hearing aid (instead of having to throw a T/M switch).

In some cases, we can put a higher gain mic (louder transmitter) in the handset, so people who speak very softly or have throat problems will be heard better. We can only do that with business type phones, not consumer phones.

Sorry, but we can't list the cost of each of the 1500+ makes, models and combinations of handsets we can make here on our web site. Call us so we can look up the handset in our program, and put the individual combination of parts on the order (which tells us your cost).

Because there are so many types of handsets, we only build and test the most popular variations in advance. To make your handset, we pick each of the items listed on your order, and assemble them for that particular type of handset right after you call. Nobody could afford to stock all of these different types of handsets in every configuration... But we're experts at this since we've been building handsets to order since 1993.

G or K-Style Push-to-Talk or PTM Bar

PTT or Mute Bar

We make many variations of our handsets
to suit your needs...

T-Style Amplified Handset Volume Control

Amplified

G or K-Style Amplified Handset Volume Control

Amplified

Round Push-to-Talk or PTM button

PTT or PTM Button

Amplified G-Style with Noise Cancelling Transmitter

Amp & Noise Cancelling

We can combine these different styles
in many handsets...

Noise Cancelling Nortel Handset with Mic Level Volume Control

Noise Cancelling with Mic Volume Control

Noise Cancelling Transmitter Port on K-Style Handset

Noise Cancelling

G-Style Noise Cancelling Transmitter

Noise Cancelling


Momentary or 2 Position Rocker Switch	Locking Weather/Dust Resistant Button (IP67) for PTT/PTM/PTOperate, or Volume Up/Down		Momentary Weather/Dust Resistant Button (IP67)
We can often put two Buttons / Rockers on a Handset, one behind the receiver and another inside where your fingers go...	Most Amplified Handsets can be made with a Momentary or Locking 2 Position Button or Rocker instead of a volume wheel, for a high / low volume control (which is ADA compliant with under 18db of gain).
	External Mute Switch with Momentary, or 2 Position Rocker Switch. It simply goes in-series between the handset cord and handset jack on the phone. It makes any handset Push to Mute, Push to Talk, or Transmitter On/Off.	Round PTT/PTM Button

Noise Cancelling Microphone Theory

Noise Cancelling Handsets
are used in areas with lots of background noise like factories or restaurants, or in areas where when you page from a phone you hear feedback - because that phone is near a paging horn or speaker.

The Noise Cancelling Transmitter is a very unique
and sophisticated device. That type of microphone
has openings in both the front (like all mics), as well
as the back.

Since ambient noise enters the mic from both the
front and rear, the same pressure is on both the front
and rear of the diaphragm. Because the ambient noise
doesn't make the diaphragm vibrate, the ambient noise
isn't heard.

Since speech is entering from just the front of the
mic, the diaphragm vibrates from just the speech...
Cancelling out the noise.

With a noise cancelling handset (or headset), you
must speak directly into the mic - you can't hold
it under your chin and expect to be heard by the
other party.

A lot of people think you need an amplified handset in a noisy area. NOT TRUE!

If you turn up the volume on an amplified handset in a noisy area, you bring up the voice on the other end of the call, but you also bring up the background noise - which makes it just as hard to hear when the volume is turned up. When you add a noise cancelling transmitter to an amplified handset, you're reducing background noise and increasing the volume of the person on the other end - so you'll be able to hear just fine.

Most modern phones have a handset volume control built-in to the phone. Sometimes they're not very loud, but in some cases by using a noise cancelling handset without an amplifier built-in, you can hear just fine. One benefit of an amplified handset with a volume control wheel is that it's easier for the user to adjust, without having to look down at the phone. In some cases, every time you hang-up the phone the volume returns to normal, which makes an amplified handset with the volume control wheel more than a luxury.

All of our noise cancelling handsets have a small port (hole), which brings the ambient noise to the rear of the microphone. If you block the port, the handset will no longer be noise cancelling, and will work just like a regular handset. We place the port in our handsets in a place where it would be very difficult to cover it with your hand.

All of the noise cancelling handsets we make for Northern Telecom's M-Style and T-Style sets also include a small volume control for the microphone that can be adjusted by a technician with a small screwdriver. This lets the technician lower or raise the volume of the microphone depending on the particular phone, the user's voice, and the background noise. It's also been used to lower the volume so a "coach" sitting next to the employee can't be heard by the prospect on the phone.

This same pot (volume control) for the transmitter can be added to most of the noise cancelling handsets we make, to suit the customer's needs.

So what if we don't have an amplified handset for the particular strange shaped handset you've got?

Use our In-Line Handset Amplifier

If we can't make an amplified handset for your particular phone, our In-Line Handset Amplifier
is compatible with nearly every business phone, and most consumer phones with the dial in the
base (not in the handset).

It takes under a minute to plug into just about any phone...

Just unplug the handset cord, plug the In-Line Amplifier back into that jack, and plug the
handset cord into the other side of the In-Line Amplifier. Move the convenient slide volume
control to adjust the volume (it raises the volume by 18db).

NOTE: This Amplifier works. Others we found don't. Callers constantly tell us that they've tried amplifiers from electronics or drug stores, but they sound terrible or don't work at all. Our In-Line Amplifier is available with a 9V battery that lasts about a year, or with an AC power cube (if there's an outlet at the desk).

Handset and Headset In-Use Beehive Light

Handset or Headset In-Use Indicator with Amplifier

Everybody hates it when someone walks up and starts talking to them while they're on the phone,
but how do you know they're on the phone?

Handset and Headset In-Use Indicator Amplifier Control

STOP Interruptions!

Our In-Use Indicator combines our In-Line Amplifier
with an In-Use Light, to let everybody know when someone
is on their phone.

Bright white Beehive Light is connected to the Amplifier by a 6' cord.

Know when your co-workers are on the phone!
Both the Light and Amplifier work on ANY business phone
Use on a Cubical, or on Top of a Monitor
Works equally well with Handsets or Headsets (it's really nice to raise the level on the headset amp, sometimes)
Connects In-Series with Headset or Handset Cord
Easy-to-Use Slide Volume Control
Comes with Easy-to-See Bright White Lens (Red and Amber Lenses are available separately)
Requires a 110V AC outlet for the power cube (included)

Headset In-Use Adapter for Cisco Phones:

Cicso Headset Wiring Adapter

Universal Handset Cord UnTwister�...


What the heck is wrong with phone manufacturers?!?	The Universal UnTwister� tries to help these goofy handsets!

There are a lot of handsets where the engineers stuffed the jack wayyy inside the handset. On some of them, you actually have to remove screws and take the handset apart to replace the cord! I'm guessing that these phones were designed in countries where they've never actually used a phone.

Our Universal Handset Cord UnTwister� has a short cord that will work with any phone, with or without a recessed jack.

Since there's a cord instead of a solid nose piece (plug), the UnTwister� is not likely to break if the handset is accidentally dropped.

NOTE: This is not like the cheap white ones on the market that don't spin (so they're useless!).

Repairing Handsets...

If you need to repair a handset, if you can open it we probably have the parts to fix it. Worst case, you'll need a receiver, transmitter and modular jack. It's unlikely all three will be bad. Unfortunately, many phone system manufacturers sonically weld or glue their handsets together, or snap them together with many little fingers that can't be released after they're closed - making them un-repairable.

It's unlikely we would have replacement handsets, or know anything about the multitude of consumer phones out there. While some of these consumer phones are so cheap it would make more sense to buy another phone than repair the handset, some of the multi-line consumer phones (KSU-less) are incredibly expensive, but you can't get replacement handsets from the manufacturer. It's doubtful we would have a handset that would work on them since they're often highly stylized to make them appeal to a consumer (they're an odd shape and size, compared to a business phone handset). The manufacturer often makes it impossible to get these phones repaired. They usually change the design of the phone yearly, so you may not be able to buy compatible phones in the future.

One of the problems matching another brand of handset to a particular phone is that the little recess for the wall phone hang-up hook is often in a different place. That means that we may have a handset that will work for a desk phone, but our listing may say that it won't work with a wall phone (because the little flip-around hook won't catch the recess under the receiver on the handset).

Kiosk, Pay Phone, Intercom, 911 Center and Prison Handsets...

We can make nearly any handset imaginable, but you'll have to tell us what your needs are. We can design and make a prototype in as little as a day...

	There are LOTS of choices!

The Cup/Hookswitch normally mounts with screws from inside the kiosk or device.

An Aluminum Backplate with a retainer for the armored cord allows the mounting screws for the Cup/Hookswitch to be put in from the front of the kiosk or device.

The Cup/Hookswitch is available with a 2 Form C Mechanical Switch, a 1 Form C Magnetic Switch, or just the Cup with no hookswitch.

A Red Cup and Handset with Armored Cord is Also Available for an Emergency Phone

Hold-Down Clip for Trucks, Buses, Trains, Ships and Aircraft

M-Style Handset with Armored Cord
Euro1 Style Handset with Armored Cord			G-Style B3 Magnetic Hookswitch or Hanger with Armored Cord Block
		Waterproof and Dust Proof (IP67 Rated) PTT / PTM / PT Operate Button for Outdoor Use can be put in most style handsets (Push/Push or Momentary)
	Euro1 Handset in Chrome Hanger	For a more "modern look" than the traditional G-Style Handset, the Euro1 Handset will fit in the Chrome Magnetic Hookswitch or Hanger

Like our other handsets, these aren't pre-made. When you tell us what you need we build the handset in our POS system, which tells us what your cost is. Since every kiosk is different, you need to tell us how you intend to connect the handset to the kiosk.

We can also put armored cords on M-Style handsets, if you'd like a more modern look. Or try our Black G-Style Handset with a textured shell, and shiny caps. We also make the Cup Style Hookswitch in Flat Black (textured).

Our Cup Style Hookswitch is available with either mechanical or magnetic contacts (magnetic has no moving parts), and with an optional clip to hold the handset down into the cup - particularly useful on buses, trains and planes, or anywhere you need to make sure the handset is hung up properly by the user.

For special applications, we can make a handset with a 6 wire modular jack (instead of 4 conductors), and we have black 6 conductor coiled or armored cords.

We can make any kind of special handset, and we do it quickly from design to delivery:

To connect to a network inside the a kiosk using four wires: 2 for transmit, and 2 for receive
For a network that used an Electret, Carbon or Dynamic transmitter (you have to tell us!)
With a network inside the handset so it can be plugged directly into a modem or phone line
With 3.5mm audio plugs to connect to a sound card on a PC in the kiosk
With 4 spade lugs
With a 4 pin modular plug
With 6 spade lugs
With a 6 Pin modular plug for Push-to-Operate
With a coiled cord
With an armored cord of nearly any length (standard lengths are stocked)
With buttons (PTT, PTM, PTO) in several locations
With volume control wheels in several locations - with or without an amplifier or network
With double prong operator plugs
With tilt switches that turn off the transmitter in the handset when it's set down
(to prevent voice loggers from recording conversations in the room)

Most prototypes are made in as little as a day. We stock almost everything you can think of!

	All Kinds of Options...

Speed Dialers and Hot Dialers

Hot Line Dialers, Speed Dialers & Networks

Lots of Accessories for Kiosks...

Priority Line Controller takes a line away from a phone so a special device can use it. Great for ATM Machines and Emergency Phones.

Priority Line Controller takes the line away from another phone!

Metal Dials

Metal Dials

Low Cost Plastic Dials

Plastic Dials

	And the Parts You Need....

Cup Style Hookswitch with Hold-Down Clip for Moving Vehicles

Rear view with mounting screw holes circled - use sef tapping screws

The Cup Style Hookswitch (also available with no hookswitch, for use as a hanger), mounts with self-tapping screws from the rear of the panel.

If you don't have access to the rear of the panel, use our Aluminum Back Plate Assembly which allows you to put four screws in from the front of the panel.

Ring Type Block Secures Armored Cord inside Kiosk or Cup	If you want to use the 90 Degree Entry Armored Cord Block, be sure to tell us to put it on the Armored Cord before we put 3.5mm plugs the cord! Spade lugs will fit through the Ring Type or 90 Degree Armored Cord Block	Chrome Hanger or Hookswitch

Block for Armored Cord allows 90 Degree cord entry into Kiosk		Magnetic or Mechanical Chrome Hookswitch

	*Our special Receiver is the only one* that will reliably activate a** Reed Switch, which is available in both our Chrome and Cup Style Hookswitches - or for custom mount behind a kiosk panel.
The component that's circled is a Varistor. A varistor is used to stop the inductive click		Mount the Reed Hookswitch behind your custom made kiosk panel

Use most Handsets with an Electret Transmitter
on a PC Sound Card, or USB Sound Card, with our PC Handset Adapter

Most of our Handsets are assembled right here in our shop, in the Chicago Area.

We have a large inventory so we can make a prototype or production quantities quickly (everybody wants stuff quickly these days!).

We purchase as much as we can from US vendors, but there are just some things that aren't made in the USA any more.


	A USB Dongle can be used if you don't have a sound card in your kiosk PC.

We make handsets that are compatible with the sound card in a PC, with 3.5mm Stereo Phone Plugs (wired mono). We can also make a USB G-Style Lexan Handset with an Armored Cord, for a Kiosk.

Call us at 630-980-7710 to have us work on your design today.

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Automatic Dialers, Hot-Dialers, Toll Restrictors & No-Dial Phones

630-980-7710