TELEPHONE HISTORY PAGES
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This boy is standing on a pole with many "Open Wire" phone lines (not too smart). Poles would feed out in all directions from a town's Central Office. | ||
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Our site has lots of ads and pictures... Most from old telephone trade magazines. We also have some technical information for you, and some neat items for sale!
You can click on most of the pictures on this page to see a larger version. If you have pictures that you'd like to see on our site, e-mail Mike Sandman at mike@sandman.com, and we'll try to get them on and credit them to you.
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OLD PHONE ACCESSORIES
This is my favorite section, since it shows how ingenious some of the pioneers of the phone business were!
The Beginning of the end of the Bell System... The Hush-A-Phone was a simple product that slipped over a Candlestick Phone or Telephone Handset and gave the user some privacy (the first noise canceling microphone!). There were no electrical connections, it just slipped onto the phone. It had been advertised and sold in trade magazines for years. An AT&T lawyer just happened to see one in a shop window on his way to lunch one day, and decided that it was his job to stop the sale of this device since it was being attached to the Phone Company's property. AT&T had previously won many court cases against companies who sold advertising trinkets (premiums) that slipped over or otherwise attached to their phones. These trinkets had phone numbers for the local coal company, funeral parlor and general store, but you couldn't attach those numbers to your phone since the phone wasn't yours.
The Hush-A-Phone Decision was a big win over AT&T in the US Court of Appeals, in 1956. It allowed the Hush-A-Phone (and every other similar device) to be stuck to AT&T's phones.
The Original CarterFone
More than a decade
after the Hush-A-Phone Decision,
Tom Carter won a decision against AT&T
that allowed anybody to connect anything to AT&T's telephone network,
if they used an AT&T
"Protective Coupler." That was the
Carterfone Decision, in 1968.
Tom Carter fought the battle with AT&T which led to today's total deregulation (well, just about) of telephone equipment in the US. As a matter of fact, the PTTs in just about every country in the world (a PTT is the FCC of other countries) followed the US lead of deregulating their telephone network after seeing the benefits US citizens saw when they were able to connect whatever they needed to the telephone network, both voice and data. Without that deregulation, it's possible the Internet would have stayed a network used by the government and large corporations, since the Phone Company would have surely made the price of data service, even slow modems, beyond the reach of most of us.
I mentioned to Helen Carter (Mrs. Tom Carter) that I didn't know how they stood up to AT&T, a company who specialized in crushing other companies. She replied:
"A few years before Tom's death in 1991, Harry Newton called me and said "Quick Helen....what would you put on Tom's tombstone"...so I responded quickly with "Here lies a stubborn Texan". That's the secret of how he did what he did."
Helen Carter also said:
"Tom's earliest prediction (about 1970) was that someday "voice and data will merge". So many people just laughed at that."
After the Carterfone Decision, up until the FCC started allowing connection of FCC registered equipment in 1976 (that you could buy in a local store), subscribers had to rent a protective coupler from the phone company (maybe $10 a month per line), which supposedly protected the public telephone network from any harm caused by the customer's phone equipment (CPE).
From my own experience, these protective couplers were very unreliable. They often left phone lines dead because they were defective, or the card cage they went into was defective (the cards and card slots had dissimilar metals, which caused oxidation and intermittent operation). The Phone Company didn't care, and didn't try to fix them very hard. They figured eventually the subscriber would get tired of dealing with the problems and go back to renting from them. I guess they were wrong.
I have to say that as an Interconnect phone man I made a lot of money going around checking dead line complaints. Probably 95% of the dead line service calls on phone systems are not the phone equipment, but a problem with the phone line coming into the building. It was that way before the Carterfone Decision, and it's that way today.
The CarterFone itself was a device that patched phone calls into 2-Way Radio equipment. It didn't actually wire into a phone or the telephone network. It had an acoustic coupler for a standard handset.
If you have an ad for a CarterFone let me know and I'll put it on our page and attribute it to you.
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Here's a picture of an original CarterFone (click on it to see a bigger version):
Jon Giberson's original CarterFone that
sits on the credenza in his office.
Jon is from Connections, a company specializing
in call accounting.
The plaque under the glass says:
The Original "Carterfone"
This original Carterfone, manufactured by Carter Electronics in 1959, served a need for mobile radio users to interconnect with the public telephone network. Use of the Carterfone was challenged by the telephone companies in 1966, and a lengthy struggle began that ultimately let to the Federal Communications Commission.
On June 26, 1968, the FCC handed down the landmark Carterfone Decision. The resolution of Tom Carter's struggle for acceptance of the concept of Interconnection permitted the creation of a multi-billion dollar industry that today serves all areas of communications needs data, voice, message. The historic Carterfone Decision allowed an open, competitive market to exist for communications equipment and facilities to the benefit of the communications user.
This original Carterfone is one of the few remaining devices in existence, and has been preserved to commemorate the historic legal milestone it represents.
Carterfone Communications Corporation
Dallas, Texas
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Here are some more pictures of an original CarterFone (click to see a bigger version):
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Rudolph Wratten wrote in and said he has a different model CarterFone. He says his is an acoustic coupler with a twist, a bar that both opens the line and dials the number. A standard 500 set is placed in a tray, and a bar goes over the switchhook cradle. The mobile user had a telephone dial that pulsed a tone, this pulsed the bar and thus dialed the number. The radios were half-duplex, this is to say, you could talk or listen, one or the other. In San Antonio, the CarterFones were marketed by a General Electric radio dealer, Industrial Radio.
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Here are some scans James Francis sent of the CarterFone 1969 Second Annual Report (click to see a bigger version):
The middle page includes a picture of an IMTS type phone sitting on the "hump" by the front seat of a Cadillac... in 1969. The IMTS phone was similar to the first mobile phone, which was the MTS (Mobile Telephone Service), offered by Phone Companies. IMTS was the "Improved Mobile Telephone Service." There were also Radio Common Carriers (private companies) who offered the same type of service through their own radio channels (granted to them by the FCC). Actually, I think the phone on the hump is an RCC version of the IMTS, because I don't see the Bell logo on the front. RCCs usually also offered pager (beeper) service, before the Phone Companies got into it..
In the '60s through the '70's an acoustic coupler was often used for data (usually 110 baud, per Ed Cummings), by placing a regular telephone's handset into rubber cups (the acoustic coupler). Beeps from the other end of the line would be changed into serial data going into some kind of computer. Serial data from the local computer was changed into beeps and transmitted to the other end of the line. Since the data was just audio (beeps, kind of like Morse Code), there were no extra exorbitant charges for data use from the Phone Company, and there was no equipment to rent since there was no wired connection to the phone line (thanks to Tom Carter, and the Carterfone decision).
A Data Modem CarterFone is a logical extension of the original CarterFone, which used the acoustic coupler to patch voice from a phone call into a two-way radio (and vice-versa).
A drawback to the MTS and IMTS systems was that they used only 12 or 24 radio channels for a whole metropolitan area. That's 12 or 24 conversations at a time. Talk about frustration... and expense. The phones were thousands of dollars, it had a steep monthly charge, a very high per minute charge (could be over $1.00 a minute - notice the key lock on the face of the IMTS phone!), and even then you might have waited an hour or more for a free channel to make a call!
Modern cellular systems still use a limited number of radio channels. Rather than a single channel covering a whole metropolitan area, the channel might only serve a few block area, allowing 24 conversations at a time within a few blocks - not a whole big city! The 24 channels are then reused on the next few block area, and so on (that's where the term "cellular" came from).
The first pager service I saw was in the late 60's, from Roger's Radio (an RCC) in Chicago. Very popular with doctors. It was a tiny radio receiver with a really tiny speaker. When you wanted to page someone, you'd call the RCC (Roger's) operator, who would add that pager number to the queue of other people being paged.
There were no beeps with this baby. The operator simply read the list of pager numbers into a recorder every fifteen minutes or so. The recorder was an endless loop that would keep repeating the operator's recording. The recorder simply played the audio back into the radio transmitter, which covered a good part of the Chicago area (from an antenna on a tall building downtown). To see if you were being paged, you'd remove the pager from your belt, and push and hold a small button on the pager while holding the tiny speaker to your ear. You'd listen through the recording to see if your number was there. If it wasn't, you could stay at the bar a little longer?
Not long after that, the Motorola Pageboy Pager took the country (and doctors) by storm by always automatically listening for specific tones being broadcast on the radio channel, and literally "beeping" to alert the user when those tones were heard.
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This is an old 8 minute AT&T video from 1979 that talks about the drawbacks of the old IMTS
mobile phone service, and the benefits of the "new" Cellular mobile phone service:
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Here are some neat ads...
OLD EQUIPMENT
WANT OLD PHONES?
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Need to buy an old phone?
Need to sell an old phone or collection?
Need an old phone repaired or refurbished?
Need parts for your old phone?
Need to convert an old phone to work today?
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608-582-4124
Call to get your copy of their unbelievable full color catalog!
With over 30 years of experience, they can help you! Whether it's original or reproduction parts, a repair, a single old phone, a novelty phone, or even a set of crank phones to make your own intercom between your house and garage, they're the ones to call.
Located in Galesville, Wisconsin, PHONECO is a family business located in a four story building packed with phones and parts, providing full refurbishing and FCC authorized repair facilities. They've also got many trailers stuffed with old telephones and equipment. Their downtown Galesville building is a piece of history itself, with the basement level being an old livery where carriages would drive into the building.
Ron and Mary Knappen, the owners, are internationally known antique telephone experts. They've actually "written the books" on antique phone collecting, pay phone collecting, and phone company histories... including huge multi-volume sets that are the core of the knowledge of today's antique phone collectors.
WHEN WERE 2, 3, 4 or 5 DIGIT PHONE NUMBERS USED?
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When was it made? You've found a great antique, and it has an old phone number on it. You figure that if you can find out when 3 digit phone numbers were used, you'll know when the antique was made... Right? NO! |
Every Phone Company, different cities at the same Phone Company, and even different exchanges in the same city from the same Phone Company converted their Central Office (CO) equipment at different times. They may have gone right from 2 digit numbers to 7 digit numbers, or they may have gone from 2 to 3, to 5, to 7 digit numbers over 50+ years. The only way to know is to find someone still alive in that specific city who has a really good memory, find some other documentation where you might be able to figure it out, or ask the Phone Company's historian. The historian used to be the best option, except that most of the Phone Companies have closed their museums and fired their historians. The guys who run phone companies today (we're almost back to a monopoly) really don't care about the history of the phone business. Before they worked for the phone company they may have run a bakery or steel mill. They don't care about the phone business any more than they care about who picks up the garbage for the company. Sorry, but it's going to be very difficult to find out when a particular city went to a particular type of dialing... without a time machine. NOTE: Irwin Schuster from Tampa says that if you know the city and state that the phone number was located, and you have access to local newspaper files (and lots of spare time), the ads should tell you what year that item was made within a very small range. |
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This is a neat old 17 minute AT&T Video from 1961 when the Phone Company went from Letters and Numbers to
All Number Calling (which took quite a few years to make it through all the Phone Companies in the country):
OLD BUTT-SETS
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- 81A Test Set (Buzzer)
- Electronic Toner
- Inductive Probe (Banana Probe)
- Very Early WE (Non-dial) Butt-set, with later Belt Worn Dial (This handset was originally made for Army Field Phones)
- First Craft Access Terminal (MONSTER with Screen and 300 baud Modem!)
- First Craft Access Terminal - Back (needed to be charged every day!)
A Handy Test Set Snap By LYNN W. SHIPMAN May 2,1908
A very convenient device for attaching a lineman's test set to wires can be made from a piece of No. 10 copper wire. The form of the device is very clearly shown in the accompanying illustration.
Each snap is made from a piece of wire 12 in. long, which has been twisted twice around a 5/8-in. bolt, after which the ends are twisted together and the bolt slipped out of the ring. After forming the clip in this fashion, the twisted ends can be soldered to electric light drop cord, the joint taped and the attachment made to a magneto test set of the type ordinarily used for testing line trouble.
In addition to its durability, the writer has found that this type of clip is in some respects a great deal more convenient to rise than the "suspender clip" frequently furnished with the test sets for making attachment to wires. A small snap with saw-tooth jaws frequently catches when the lineman is climbing between the wires, or when being removed from the line, and causes annoyance. It will be readily seen that the home-made clip will not catch on anything, and it is very much more easily put on and removed. The strength of the attachment is shown in the rough test indicated under the conditions prevailing when the accompanying photograph was taken. A test set weighing 22 1/2 oz. is suspended directly from the clip and easily sustained. This shows, in addition to the security of the connection, that a good electrical contact is obtained with the wires to be tested. However, one of the advantages in this clip is that a good pull will release it. The usefulness of this will be appreciated when it is considered that in most cases a lineman will fasten his clip to the wire to be tested and then retire to a convenient place on the pole to wait until he can finish the test with the wire chief. With this type of fastener, when the test is finished, it is unnecessary for him to go hack within reaching distance of the wires in order to detach the set, as a gentle pull on the drop cord will release the snaps.
The Kickmeter (Pointmeter) was the primary cable test set for I/R (Installation/Repair) Technicians for many years. At many Phone Companies, it's been replaced by an electronic tester, called the Sidekick.
Click here to see a 1941 manual for the Kickmeter. If you can't read it because it's too small in IE, click on the bottom of the graphic, and then click on the little gray and orange box which will make it bigger. To save it, right click and choose "Save Target As" to save it to your hard drive.
An experienced phone man can determine the distance to faults on a dry pair (with no battery) by simply flipping the reversing switch a few times, and reading how far the needle "kicks" on this rather simple (but rugged) volt-ohmmeter.
45V Battery
Dimensions: 2 5/8" x 3 1/2" x 15/16" thick.
This battery was used in a number of Western Electric testers, including the famous Kick Meter (Point Meter).
They are now discontinued...
We do have a Conversion Kit that lets you use regular 9V batteries in place of the original 45V battery, if you don't mind your Kick Meter not being 100% original (see below).
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TOH5LCONVERSION KIT FOR 45V KICK METER BATTERY
Conversion Kit allows you to use regular 9V batteries in place of the old odd-shaped 45V battery.
9V Kick Meter Battery Conversion Kit Instructions
Fits right in the battery compartment of the Kick Meter.
Kit includes 9V batteries and snaps to connect to the battery connector in the Kick Meter.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TOH5NTELEPHONE SERVICE IRON-ON 3 inch PATCH
So maybe you want everybody to know you're the Phone Man?
Iron or Sew them onto your Shirt, Jacket, Hat, and even your Tool Bag!
The 3 inch size fits perfectly almost anywhere!
These are official looking patches!
They have the familiar bell (the copyright has expired), and the type style is the same as the original from many years ago. Really neat!
Limited Quantity!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TLS4E427 NETWORK - TAKEOUT from 2500 SET
427 Type Network
427 Style Network from a regular 2500 Set.
Use it as a replacement for a bad network or to make your own telephone.
Style may vary. This Network has been removed from a tested 500 or 2500 Set.
Click HERE for Typical 2500 Set Wiring Diagram (pdf)
Limited Quantity!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST5BANALOG TELEPHONE NETWORK - FITS IN A HANDSET!
Network Board
Make a Handset into a 2 Wire Phone
Size: 2.5" x 1" x .5"
Small Network Board connects to Tip and Ring, electret mic and standard receiver cartridge to make a whole phone (without a dial) with this little circuit board.
Click HERE for Connection Instructions (pdf)
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # XMT1B
Restore your antique Western Electric or BECO Rubber Butt-Set with this replacement Belt Snap Hook.
I don't know why, but most of these are missing from the Butt-Sets that are still laying around. Includes long screw and nut for mounting.
Limited Quantity!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TOO2BBENT-NOSE BUTT-SET CLIP WITH NAILS and SPIKE
Bent-Nose Butt-Set Clip with Nails / Spike
This is the standard Butt-Set Clip.
The Bent Nose allows the Clips to be used on a 66 Block without shorting together.
The Bed-of-Nails allows the tech to simply clip to the wire
to make contact without stripping the wire.
The Spike is used to connect to aerial drop wire by going through the heavy insulation to the wire.
It's no longer recommended that you use the Nails or Spike on wire that's used outside, that can get wet. Although the holes are self sealing they won't keep water from getting to the copper conductor.
Be sure to bend over the strain relief!
Order 2 if you need a set!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TOO1ORED BOOT for BUTT-SET CLIP
Red Boot for Butt-Set Clip
This is the standard Butt-Set Clip Boot.
You do need to remove the clip from the cord to put it on the Clip!
Order 1 Red and 1 Black if you need a set!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TOO1QBLACK BOOT for BUTT-SET CLIP
Black Boot for Butt-Set Clip
This is the standard Butt-Set Clip Boot.
You do need to remove the clip from the cord to put it on the Clip!
Order 1 Red and 1 Black if you need a set!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TOO1RAdvertisement
REPRODUCTION ANTIQUE PHONES...
Would you like a reminder of what it was like to talk on a phone in the old days...
Without the expense of a real antique phone?
Click on any of these phones to see our selection of Reproduction Nostalgia Phones
A reproduction of an old phone with modern features
(like touch-tone dialing) can be an
inexpensive way to bring back the old days!
Sandman-Store.com is The World's Biggest Telecom Store!™
ROTARY DIAL SPUDGER with POCKET CLIP and CAPS
Rotary Dial Spudger
The straight end is used to release the plastic fingerwheel from a rotary dial.
Includes a molded pocket clip and caps.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TOO2DOLD BECO CATALOGS
You can learn an awful lot about the telephone business from these two catalogs, from 1968 and 1977. I did!
Warren Bohnsack's father owned the Germantown Telephone Company in New York, where he learned the telephone business. After deciding he was a much better salesman than a phone man, he left the operating company where his mother and sister operated the magneto switchboard, and his brother handled the inside and outside plant. His family still runs the phone company today.
The wholesale prices in these catalogs are very entertaining! The first catalog (below) is full of refurbished phone equipment that is very useful as an aid to identifying old phone equipment. It even has old 1A1(wire spring) key telephone equipment, and conversions from old WE 302 and Stromberg-Carlson 1543 sets to "modern looking" 500 sets.
In the second catalog (their 30th Anniversary Edition) you'll see some very interesting pictures of young ladies along with lots of telephone equipment. The picture of "Ma Bell" is not what we think of today, with telephones strategically placed around her (cover and page 17). A great way to sell stuff to phone men, but it wouldn't work today (it's not politically correct). I've wanted to do it in our catalog for years, but Donna has threatened me with great bodily harm to important parts if I did.
Beco's best known product is their 1011 Rubber Butt-Set. They bought the rights to the Rubber Butt-set and the 81A Test Set (predecessor to the electronic toner) from Western Electric. They updated the Butt-set to use a standard size rotary dial, instead of the little one that required a pencil or small fingers to dial (but I loved that Butt-set!), put a better "Talk/Monitor" switch in the unit, and put in a modern T-1 transmitter and U-1 receiver. That Butt-set is the most rugged ever developed, and is still in use today around the world! They replaced the rotary dial with a touch tone pad in their tone model, still in the same round shape.
The first catalog shows the 1011 with a Western Electric dial, and a mouthpiece area that's exactly like the original WE set. The second catalog shows a redesigned model with a larger rubber mouthpiece, and an AE dial. It also shows the 81A Test Set (buzzer), which faded into obscurity as soon as electronic phone systems started appearing. The buzzer in the 81A is easily heard when tracing wires, but it was soon learned that the large spikes created by the buzzer destroyed electronic phone equipment. If you have an 81A Test Set, don't even think about using it!
The second catalog also shows the mid-70's line of Stromberg-Carlson phones. I particularly liked their 1800 sets that looked just like the WE Call Director, but was available in a six button version. I loved them because they made it easy for me to compete with Illinois Bell, who could only supply traditional looking 2564 six button desk sets. They were pretty reasonably priced, too.
NOTE: BECO is out of business. These are genuine antique catalogs from 30 or 40 years ago, so unless you have a time machine you aren't going to be able to buy this stuff for the prices listed!
If you really want something you see in one of these catalogs, your best bet is to call Mary at 608-582-4124. She might have it for sale, or know where you can get it.
OLD CORD and CORDLESS SWITCHBOARDS
Switchboards were originally located at telephone company Central Offices, and were used to connect subscribers together so they could talk. When businesses began installing multiple phones within their buildings, an on-site switchboard was used to connect a particular phone to an outside line. The switchboard also provided an intercom, where the operator would connect one phone to another in a different part of the building. These were the first PBXs (Private Branch Exchange). Some companies installed a separate PAX (Private Area Exchange), which was an automatic intercom between employees using various types of dials or push-buttons. Not all locations in a business would have both types of phones on the desk, since few employees would need to talk to people outside their company in those days. While a PAX could be purchased by a business, a PBX and the telephones connected to it would normally be rented (costing quite a bit over the years!). Later, PBXs allowed users to dial both between phones and onto the CO lines. When there were multiple positions that weren't covered by operators (like at night), an operator could use a plug from her switchboard in a jack of one on either side. The plugs, combined with their associated switches, were what actually rang and connected telephones (the jacks). An operator could connect a phone with another phone, or a trunk that went to another office (also a jack). Phone company operators often had to keep track of the charges for the calls she connected, using a timer device called a Calculagraph. |
Central
Office Switchboards
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PBX & PAX Switchboards and Phones |
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Click for a bigger photo of the really old |
![]() Click for a bigger photo of the
Western Electric Magneto Test Desk photo courtesy of Dave Cherry, Cincinnati, OH |
![]() Click for a bigger photo of the Drops
(used |
Switchboard and 51A Lamp Extractor
These types of lamps are usually recessed into a hole, and you just can't quite grab them with a long nose pliers (it slips off). This is the traditional answer, with the original wooden handle.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TOO7COLD PHONES
OLD AT&T VIDEOS
Click the picture for a bunch of neat old videos from the
AT&T Archive on YouTube (opens in a new tab):
Retr0Bright
For decades, the world has been trying to find a way to remove the yellowing of plastic, caused by UV light.
UV light from both the sun and fluorescent office lights will eventually turn any light colored plastic yellow, including plastics made with UV inhibitors. If too much UV inhibitor is mixed in with the plastic, the plastic gets brittle and breaks easily.
This is a real problem for light colored antique phones and computers, since few people want to display the ugly yellowed plastic in their collection of neat stuff.
The yellowing is generally only on the vary top layer of the plastic - it's seldom if ever yellowed all the way through.
The first method for getting rid of the yellowing on plastic was to use a buffing wheel to remove the top layer of plastic. That's possible on a phone with smooth (shiny) plastic, but it won't work on textured or flat plastics. It's also very labor intensive because you have to buff off the plastic in all the grooves and edges, which can be difficult to impossible.
The plastic can also be sanded down with sand paper until the yellowing is gone, instead of using a buffing wheel with an aggressive rouge.
Note that a regular grinder that spins at 3600 rpm will destroy just about any plastic, because of the heat that builds up as you press the plastic against the buffing wheel. A real buffing wheel spins at 1800 RPM, and even then you have to keep the part moving - and not press too hard to prevent the plastic surface from being burned (you can destroy a perfectly nice antique very quickly with a buffing wheel!).
After the top layer of yellowed plastic is buffed or sanded off, the plastic has to be polished with a buffing wheel with a polishing compound, so it's shiny. Again, this is impossible if the phone or computer has textured surfaces.
For business phones, painting quickly became the method of choice to remove the yellowing, and sell the phone as refurbished. There are some good painters, and some very bad painters. They use good paint, and very bad paint. Drips, runs and dust in the paint is common with the bad painters (I've picked up a painted handset that felt like sand paper there was so much dust on it). Maybe not a big deal for a desk phone in an office, but a bad choice for an antique.
In the 90's, there was a company who dipped the yellowed plastic in a solution to remove the yellowing (the phone had to be completely disassembled). Apparently it worked sometimes, but the company went out of business.
Recently, some geeks who understand chemistry came up with a chemical mix they call Retr0bright. It's not a commercial cleaner you can buy. It's a formula for a mixture you can put together yourself to remove the yellowing from your own stuff... if you're really brave and careful (these chemicals could easily disfigure you, or worse).
The
pictures at the left and above show computer cases before and after treatment.
This is actually very amazing. Of course, as soon as you remove the yellowing the UV light we all live in will start yellowing it again (unless you keep it in the dark?).
Click HERE to go to the Retr0bright Web Site, for more information.
OLD TOOLS and EQUIPMENT
In going through these ads, it's amazing to see how many of the companies in the telephone business were started in the Chicago area. Here are some neat old tools, blocks etc...
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TELEPHONE COMPANIES
In the beginning... There was the Bell System, an organization of phone companies with the same owner. There were also the Independents, who were all of the other phone companies owned by anyone else (who teamed up to compete with the Bell System).
The rivalry included "long distance" lines between phone companies, which carried traffic between cities. In the beginning, you couldn't even call someone who was a subscriber in the competing system, since the lines didn't connect anywhere.
There was pretty fierce fighting between these groups for many years. Bell eventually won, buying up most of the Independents after beating them into submission.
The Bell System owned Western Electric, which manufactured or sourced most of the popular stuff used by the Bell System. There were many manufacturers competing for the Independent's business, as well as trying to sell to the Bell System. You'll see ads for a lot of those companies throughout this page.
The Telephone, a video that we sell (further down the page), does a great job of explaining the development of the telephone and the Bell System - and how they beat the Independents. It's well worth watching, and not very expensive.
Click on the interesting patch on the left! It was sold by an organization called TAP in the 1970's. It was made to look exactly like the patch then worn on the jackets of Bell System employees throughout the country (the jackets with the racing stripes). Members of TAP were really the first "hackers," primarily concentrating on making free phone calls through "The Phone Company." They were based in New York. Members of TAP 'invented' the various colored boxes which allowed free calls. Some of them also did jail time, since 'Ma Bell' wasn't too happy with them - and she had a lot of pull with the authorities!
Bell System Advertising Independent Advertising
OLD PAYPHONES
OLD MANHOLE COVERS
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Photo by Stu Shulman Western Union Manhole Cover in Manhattan - New York City Located near Thomas & Hudson Street, Stu from S&S Interconnect took this picture in 2014, and says there were two of these along the sidewalk. He said it's not far from AT&T's old switching center at 32 Ave of Americas, and a couple of blocks from AT&T's current switching center on Thomas Street. |
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NOVELTY PHONES...
Phones
that look neat and
are conversation pieces
make your home more inviting...
And They're FUN
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Click on any of these phones to see our selection of Novelty Phones
Sandman-Store.com is The World's Biggest Telecom Store!™
Actual Poster distributed by AT&T to consumers in 1969. AT&T ran ads in magazines, asking for readers to write them a free copy. Even the full page ad was pretty impressive!
This fantastic Poster features pictures of 30 phones, ranging from Bell's first in 1876 to the "new" Picturephone in 1969 (which was never actually put into full production).
There is a Limited Supply of these posters, so you should buy one now if you think it would look good in your home or office. Shipped in a tube, ready for framing.
Click on the Poster to see it in more detail. Thanks to David Massey of the Tribute to the Telephone web site for the great scan of the Poster!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # CID3JAdjusting an old 500 or 2500 set to ring on lower voltages (like a VoIP device)
The old 500 and 2500 sets with double gong ringers, and 2554 sets (mini-wall phones) with single gong ringers, have a small bias spring to adjust the clapper on the bell. The bias spring was normally shipped in the high position so the bell wouldn't tap when a rotary phone was dialed or another phone went on and off-hook - which can put out a spike that's enough to move the clapper a little.
If you have less than the standard 90V AC ringing and would like to make an old style phone ring, you could try setting the bias spring to the low position to see if it rings.
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We
Specialize in Strange Telecom Stuff!
If you need a piece of telecom or electronic equipment manufactured, use our telecom expertise, our existing products, our plastic enclosures, and short run manufacturing experience to help you get your product made quickly.
It may take us as little as a day to engineer a way to solve a strange problem, and only a short time to put it into production... even in small quantities.
BOOK: Everything Happened Around the Switchboard
Everything Happened Around the Switchboard
by Michael R. Hathaway
Pages: 190
Soft Cover
This is really fun reading! I sure wouldn't want to do what Eldon Hathaway and his family did for over 30 years to keep the Bryant Pond Telephone Co. operating.
Setting poles, running open wire in the dead of winter, fixing and replacing old crank phones, repairing and replacing finicky old switchboards, driving and repairing finicky old telephone trucks... Makes me glad I've worked as a phone man in the city!
We don't know how good we've got it, but you can sure find out in this great book!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # CID3ABOOK: Just an Old Telephone Man
Just an Old Telephone Man
by Rufus "Judge" Pattengill
Pages: 100
Soft Cover
If you've been a phone man, this really hits home! Judge describes his career as a phone man, from his first days (including morning coffee), through his retirement.
He spent time as a Lineman, Installation/Repair, Tester, Engineer, and finally in management. He's got an incredible number of stories that would be interesting to anyone, but they're really funny and familiar to a phone man!
Well worth the read!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # CID2DCD-ROM: HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
by Mark Greenia
A History of the People and Machines that made Computing History!
A great tool for students, teachers, researchers, and anyone interested in Computer History. Covers early mechanical calculating devices, early vacuum tube computers, Giant Brains, early mainframes and minicomputers, early microcomputers and more!
Covers the following topics and more:
Early calculating machines Early typewriters and office machines Early electronic calculators Microprocessor History Historical chronology of Robotics History of ARPA, ArpaNet, Internet Historical Firsts in Computing Evolution of Counting Methods Photos of early computers and pioneers Early Vacuum Tube Computers Portable Electronic Calculators Early Storage Technology Five Generations of Computers Early Time Sharing; Magnetic Media Early Programming Languages
Mark Greenia put a lot of work into compiling this CD, which includes LOTS of pictures of old computer stuff!
Limited Quantity!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # CID5CTIN SIGN: AT&T Long Distance
Click on the Independent Badge to see a bigger version. Sorry, we don't have any Independent signs for sale.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # CID5ANeed DIALTONE to use, and show off your great collection of dial phones?
You can actually USE the phones in your collection!
The PBXtra is a small, inexpensive PBX that will allow you to actually use those great looking phones! You can attach 8 Phones with their own extension numbers to the PBXtra, to call among themselves. Even more if you double up on extension numbers! Each port has around 2 REN (will ring 2 bells in standard 500 sets).
If you want to call out of your house, dedicate one or more ports to outside lines. Since all 8 ports on the PBXtra are universal, they can either be extension ports or outside lines. Lines are accessed by dialing 9. You can program incoming calls to ring at any extension you choose (or all extensions). If you have 2 outside lines, you'll have 6 extension ports to use for phones. If you have 1 outside line, you'll have 7 extension ports for phones.
The PBXtra can be set up to use rotary phones for both inside and outside dialing, so it's perfect for collectors!
NOTE: Do NOT use the PBXtra with telephones that have a crank, and/or internal batteries. Those types of phones will probably blow up the PBXtra, but can be wired together among themselves to form a little "system."
8 PORT PBX: PBXtra
PBXtra Phone System
Comes Factory Configured for 6 Stations and 2 CO Lines (Loop Start Only)
Some Popular Uses:
I DON'T Recommend using the PBXtra as a phone system in your house or business, since modern Key Systems that have a light and button for each line, and a hold button, are MUCH Easier to Use! Even so, there are still some crackpots using this type of phone system (or Centrex) with single line phones, and they just tell you to "Call back if I cut you off while transferring you." That's a pretty impressive way to do business!
Some Specs:
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # CID3SCLOTH COVERED HANDSET CORDS
The Cloth Coverings on these cords make them perfect to replace original cords on antiques and replicas, or to give a modern phone an unusual look.
Great for home or office phones!
3.5' BROWN CLOTH COVERED RECEIVER CORD - 2 CONDUCTOR
Cloth 2 Conductor Receiver Cord
3.5' 2 Conductor Brown Cloth Covered RECEIVER Cord has Lugs, with Ties at ends for securing cord in receiver and base.
NOTE: This is used for telephones with a separate receiver and transmitter, like a Candlestick or a Wood Wall Phone.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST3A3.5' 2 COND SPADE CLOTH-BROWN
$13.95
4.5' BROWN CLOTH COVERED HANDSET CORD - SPADE TO SPADE
Cloth 4 Cond Handset Cord
4.5' Straight (not Coiled) Handset Cord has Spade Lugs, and Metal Retainers at ends for securing cord in handset and base. If your phone only uses 3 wires, just tape or cut off the extra wire.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST3J4.5' CLOTH SPADE/SP HS CRD-BRN
$13.95
4.5' BROWN CLOTH COVERED HANDSET CORD - MODULAR
4.5 Foot Brown Cloth Modular Handset Cord
Straight (not Coiled) Brown 4.5' (4 1/2 foot) Cloth Covered MODULAR Handset Cord.
These are most often used on Replica phones.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST3B4.5' MOD CLOTH HS CORD-BROWN
$10.99
4.5' BLACK CLOTH COVERED HANDSET CORD - MODULAR
Same as above, with Black Cloth Covered Cord.
4.5 Foot Black Modular Handset Cord
Straight (not Coiled) Black 4.5' (4 1/2 foot) Cloth Covered MODULAR Handset Cord.
These are most often used on Replica phones.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST3I4.5' MOD CLOTH HS CORD-BLACK
$10.99
CLOTH COVERED BASE CORDS
The Cloth Coverings on these Line Cords make them perfect to replace original Base Cords on antiques, or give modern phones a unique look.
Great for home or office phones!
7' MODULAR to SPADE BROWN CLOTH COVERED BASE CORD - BROWN
7' Cloth 4 Cond Spade to Mod Base Cord
7' 4 Conductor Brown Cloth Covered Base Cord has Spade Lugs with a retainer on one end (for the phone), and a Modular Plug on the other end for the wall.
The Modular Plug allows you to use your phone in modern Modular Jacks.
These used to be called 'Quarter Modular' (1/4 Modular) cords.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST3C7' MOD-SPADE CLOTH BASE-BROWN
$10.95
14' MODULAR to SPADE LUG CLOTH COVERED BASE CORD - BROWN
14' Cloth 4 Cond Spade to Mod Base Cord
14' 4 Conductor Brown Cloth Covered Base Cord has Spade Lugs with a retainer on one end (for the phone), and a Modular Plug on the other end for the wall.
The Modular Plug allows you to use your phone in modern Modular Jacks.
These used to be called 'Quarter Modular' (1/4 Modular) cords.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST3D14' MOD-SPADE CLOTH BASE-BROWN
$17.95
7' MODULAR CLOTH COVERED BASE CORD - BROWN
7' Cloth Modular Line Cord in Brown
7' 4 Conductor Brown Cloth Covered Base Cord has Modular Plugs on both ends, for modern phones.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST3E7' MOD CLOTH BASE CORD-BROWN
$10.95
7' MODULAR CLOTH COVERED BASE CORD - BLACK
7' Cloth Modular Line Cord in Black
7' 4 Conductor Black Cloth Covered Base Cord has Modular Plugs on both ends, for modern phones.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST3G7' MOD CLOTH BASE CORD-BLACK
$10.95
14' MODULAR CLOTH COVERED BASE CORD - BROWN
14' Cloth Modular Line Cord in Brown
14' 4 Conductor Brown Cloth Covered Base Cord has Modular Plugs on both ends, for modern phones.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST3F14' MOD CLOTH BASE CORD-BROWN
$17.95
14' MODULAR CLOTH COVERED BASE CORD - BLACK
14' Cloth Modular Line Cord - Black
14' 4 Conductor Black Cloth Covered Base Cord has Modular Plugs on both ends, for modern phones.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST3H14' MOD CLOTH BASE CORD-BLACK
$17.95
TELEPHONE LINE CORDS (MOUNTING CORDS)
These are Stocked Sizes of Mounting Cords,
but we can make anything you need:
(Click to go to that size)Very Short Modular Mounting Cords: Silver Satin & Black
5" to 18.5" Cords for Wall Phones and Special Applications7' 2 and 4 Conductor Modular Mounting Cords: Silver Satin & Black
14' 4 Conductor Modular Mounting Cords: Silver Satin & Black
25' 4 Conductor Modular Mounting Cords: Silver Satin & Black
6 Conductor Modular Mounting Cords: Silver Satin in 7, 14 & 25'
8 Conductor Modular Mounting Cords: Silver Satin in 7, 14 & 25'
For 8 Conductor Mounting Cords our Black & Gray Patch Cords work great... Especially as replacement VoIP Phone Mounting Cords!
We make Custom
Modular Line Cords with
2, 4, 6 and 8 Conductor
Flat and Round Cable
The TRUTH about Modular Telephone Cords...
You Won't Believe it!
Modular Line Cords are wired so the ends are REVERSED!
Black is on the RIGHT on the top plug, and on the LEFT on the
bottom plug on the other end of the cord
Bell Labs made the decision way back when that the order of the wires in each modular connection should be reversed.
That means that the order of the pins in the mod jack on the wall is in the reverse order of the mod jack on the back of the telephone.
Why? I have no idea but the guys at Bell Labs were the smartest guys around so they must have had a reason at the time.
Flat Telephone Line Cord often has a seam running down just one side of the cord to help with the orientation of the plugs as they're installed. Sometimes the individual wires in the flat cord aren't colored at all, or there's just one colored wire.
When held with the clips down, you can see that Yellow is on the right on
one end of the cord, and Black on the other.
In special applications the plugs may be put on so black or yellow is on the same side at each end. That's referred to as a Straight Through (Straight-Thru) cord (not reversed).
But Wait...
When Bell Labs came out with the 8 Conductor Modular Mounting Cords for the Horizon PBX (and later the Merlin) they decided to make the line cords Straight Through, not Reversed.
That's carried through to today's Modular Ethernet Networking Cords:
The wires are lined up the same from left to right on both ends of an Ethernet Cable.
Brown/White is on the same side on the Mod Plugs on each end of the cord.
5 INCH SILVER SATIN LINE CORD
5 Inch Modular Silver Satin Line Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Cord for Wall Phones or any device requiring a Short Mod Cord.
We can make any size cord you need.
Phone Orders at 630-980-7710, or this item can be ordered Online:
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER4I5" SILVER MOD CORD
$0.75
5 INCH BLACK LINE CORD
5 Inch Modular Black Line Cord
Standard Reversed Modular Cord for Wall Phones or any device requiring a Short Mod Cord.
We can make any size cord you need.
Phone Orders at 630-980-7710, or this item can be ordered Online:
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TLS5T5 INCH LINE CORD - BLACK
$0.99
8.5 INCH BLACK LINE CORD
8.5 Inch Modular Black Line Cord
Standard Reversed Modular Cord for Wall Phones or any device requiring a Short Mod Cord.
We can make any size cord you need.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TLS5R8.5 INCH LINE CORD - BLACK
$0.85
8.5 INCH STRAIGHT-THRU (Not Reversed) BLACK LINE CORD
8.5 Inch Modular Black Line Cord wired Straight-Thru
Straight Through (Not Reversed) Modular Cord for a device requiring a Short Mod Line Cord that's NOT reversed.
We can make any size cord you need.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MSA7P8.5 IN STRAIGHT MTG CORD[DIALE
$0.85
18 INCH BLACK LINE CORD
18 Inch Modular Black Line Cord
Black Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord for any device requiring a Short Modular Cord.
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # PAP9C18" REV LINE CORD FOR MLP
$0.89
7' SILVER SATIN LINE CORD - 2 CONDUCTOR!
7' 2 Conductor Silver Satin Modular Mounting Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord with only 2 Conductors!
Sometimes you have to make sure that whatever is on the second pair in the jack
doesn't get to the phone. That's where a 2 Conductor Modular Line Cord can save
you the labor of rewiring the jacks.
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER4T7' 2 COND MOD CORD
$1.99 Quantity Pricing Available
STANDARD 7' SILVER SATIN LINE CORD - 4 CONDUCTOR!
Standard 7' 4 Conductor Silver Satin Modular Mounting Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord with 4 Conductors
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER3A7' 4 COND MOD LINE CORD
$1.99
7' BLACK LINE CORD - 4 CONDUCTOR!
7' 4 Conductor Black Modular Mounting Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord with 4 Conductors
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MSC3R7' BLACK 4 COND MOD CORD
$1.99
STANDARD 14' SILVER SATIN LINE CORD - 4 CONDUCTOR!
Standard 14' 4 Conductor Silver Satin Modular Mounting Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord with 4 Conductors
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER3B14' 4 COND LINE CORD
$1.84
14' BLACK LINE CORD - 4 CONDUCTOR!
14' 4 Conductor Black Modular Mounting Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord with 4 Conductors
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MSC3S14' BLACK 4 COND MOD CORD
$2.49
STANDARD 25' SILVER SATIN LINE CORD - 4 CONDUCTOR!
Standard 25' 4 Conductor Silver Satin Modular Mounting Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord with 4 Conductors
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER3C25' 4 COND LINE CORD
$2.79
25' BLACK LINE CORD - 4 CONDUCTOR!
25' 4 Conductor Black Modular Mounting Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord with 4 Conductors
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MSC3T25' BLACK 4 COND MOD CORD
$3.29
7' SILVER SATIN LINE CORD - 6 CONDUCTOR!
Standard 7' 6 Conductor Silver Satin Modular Mounting Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord with 6 Conductors
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER3D7' 6 COND LINE CORD
$1.84
14' SILVER SATIN LINE CORD - 6 CONDUCTOR!
Standard 14' 6 Conductor Silver Satin Modular Mounting Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord with 6 Conductors
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER3E14' 6 COND LINE CORD
$2.55
25' SILVER SATIN LINE CORD - 6 CONDUCTOR!
Standard 25' 6 Conductor Silver Satin Modular Mounting Cord
Standard (Reversed) Modular Mounting Cord with 6 Conductors
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER3F25' 6 COND LINE CORD
$4.49
7' SILVER SATIN LINE CORD - 8 CONDUCTOR!
Standard 7' 8 Conductor Silver Satin Modular Mounting Cord
Straight-Thru Modular Mounting Cord with 8 Conductors
If you need it in Black to match a phone, White to get up and down a wall without being noticed (much), or in a longer length get our CAT5e Patch Cord which will do the same thing.
We can make any size cord you need!
Limited Quantity!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER3G7' 8 COND STRAIGHT LINE CORD
$2.69
14' SILVER SATIN LINE CORD - 8 CONDUCTOR!
Standard 14' 8 Conductor Silver Satin Modular Mounting Cord
Straight-Thru Modular Mounting Cord with 8 Conductors
If you need it in Black to match a phone, White to get up and down a wall without being noticed (much), or in a longer length get our CAT5e Patch Cord which will do the same thing.
We can make any size cord you need!
Limited Quantity!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER3H14' 8 COND STRAIGHT LINE CORD
$3.99
25' SILVER SATIN LINE CORD - 8 CONDUCTOR!
Standard 25' 8 Conductor Silver Satin Modular Mounting Cord
Straight-Thru Modular Mounting Cord with 8 Conductors
If you need it in Black to match a phone, White to get up and down a wall without being noticed (much), or in a longer length get our CAT5e Patch Cord which will do the same thing.
We can make any size cord you need!
Limited Quantity!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER3I25' 8 COND STRAIGHT LINE CORD
$5.99
14' SPADE TO MODULAR SILVER SATIN MODULAR CORD
14' Spade to Modular Line Cord - Silver Satin
Also called a 'Quarter Modular' or '1/4 Modular' Line Cord
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER3K4 CONDUCTOR SILVER SATIN MODULAR CORD - 1,000 FOOT ROLL
Modular Line Cord - Silver Satin
1,000 Foot Roll of 4 Conductor Flat Silver Satin
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER4B4 CONDUCTOR BLACK MODULAR CORD - 1,000 FOOT ROLL
1,000' Roll of 4 Conductor Black Flat Line Cord
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER4H6 CONDUCTOR SILVER SATIN MODULAR CORD - 1,000 FOOT ROLL
1,000' Roll of 6 Conductor Flat Silver Satin Line Cord
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # SER4DMODULAR TELEPHONE HANDSET CORDS CORDS
These are the Best Handset Cords we can find! A lot of Handset Cords turn into a knotted mess very quickly.
If you don't unwind your cords once in a while these will also eventually turn into a knotted mess, It will just take longer.
Modular Handset Cords are wired so the ends are REVERSED!
Black is on the LEFT on the top plug, and on the RIGHT on the
bottom plug on the other end of the handset cord
Bell Labs made the decision way back when that the order of the wires in each modular connection should be reversed.
That means that the order of the pins in the mod jack in the phone is in the reverse order of the mod jack on the handset. I don't know why?
Flat Telephone Handset Coiled Cord often has a seam running down just one side of the cord to help with the orientation of the plugs as they're installed. Sometimes the individual wires in the flat cord aren't colored at all, or there's just one colored wire.
When held with the clips down, you can see that Black is on the right on
one end of the cord, and Red on the other.
In special applications the plugs may be put on so black or red is on the same side at each end. That's referred to as a Straight Through (Straight-Thru) cord (not reversed).
In the old days when all the phones had carbon transmitters the polarity of the handset didn't matter. Today, 99% of the phones have electret transmitters which contain a transistor so they're polarity sensitive. If you somehow get a straight-thru handset cord on a phone with an electret transmitter that needs a regular reversed handset cord, there will be 'no-transmit.'
5 INCH BLACK HANDSET CORD - STRAIGHT (Not Coiled)
5 Inch Modular Black Handset Cord
Black Standard (Reversed) Modular Handset Cord for any device requiring a Short Modular Handset Cord.
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # TLS5S5 INCH HANDSET CORD-BLACK
$0.75
9 INCH SILVER SATIN HANDSET CORD - STRAIGHT (Not Coiled)
9 Inch Modular Silver Satin Handset Cord
Silver Satin Standard (Reversed) Modular Handset Cord for any device requiring a Short Modular Handset Cord.
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # ASY9B9 IN SILVER REC HS CORD
$0.85
9 INCH BLACK HANDSET CORD - STRAIGHT (Not Coiled)
9 Inch Modular Black Handset Cord
Black Standard (Reversed) Modular Handset Cord for any device requiring a Short Modular Handset Cord.
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # ASY9A9 IN BLACK REV HS CORD
$0.85
18 INCH BLACK HANDSET CORD - STRAIGHT (Not Coiled)
18 Inch Modular Black Handset Cord
Black Standard (Reversed) Modular Handset Cord for any device requiring a Short Modular Handset Cord.
We can make any size cord you need!
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # PAP9D18" HS CORD REV FOR AUDIO FEED
$0.89
6' BLACK HANDSET CORD
6' Black Modular Handset Cord
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON6AHS CORD - BLACK - 6'
$1.39
12' BLACK HANDSET CORD
12' Black Modular Handset Cord
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON6BHS CORD - BLACK - 12'
$1.89
25' BLACK HANDSET CORD
25' Black Modular Handset Cord
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON6CHS CORD - BLACK - 25'
$2.89
6' FLAT BLACK HANDSET CORD
6' Flat Black Modular Handset Cord
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7JHS CORD - FLAT BLACK - 6'
$1.49
12' FLAT BLACK HANDSET CORD
12' Flat Black Modular Handset Cord
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7KHS CORD - FLAT BLACK - 12'
$2.19
6' CHARCOAL GRAY HANDSET CORD
6' Charcoal Gray Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7AHS CORD - CHARCOAL GRAY - 6'
$1.39
12' CHARCOAL GRAY HANDSET CORD
12' Charcoal Gray Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7BHS CORD-CHARCOAL GRAY-12'
$1.89
25' CHARCOAL GRAY HANDSET CORD
25' Charcoal Gray Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7CHS CORD - CHARCOAL GRAY - 25'
$2.89
6' AVAYA EURO (PARTNER) GRAY HANDSET CORD
6' Avaya Euro (Partner) Gray Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST1DHS CORD-6'-PARTNER GRAY
$1.79
12' AVAYA EURO (PARTNER) GRAY HANDSET CORD
12' Avaya Euro (Partner) Gray Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST1EHS CORD-12'-PARTNER GRAY
$2.79
25' AVAYA EURO (PARTNER) GRAY HANDSET CORD
25' Avaya Euro (Partner) Gray Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # HST1FHS CORD-25'-PARTNER GRAY
$4.99
6' LIGHT GRAY HANDSET CORD
6' Light Gray Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7DHS CORD - LIGHT GRAY - 6'
$1.39
12' LIGHT GRAY HANDSET CORD
12' Light Gray Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7EHS CORD - LIGHT GRAY -12'
$1.89
25' LIGHT GRAY HANDSET CORD
25' Light Gray Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7FHS CORD - LIGHT GRAY - 25'
$2.89
6' ALMOND HANDSET CORD
6' Almond Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7MHS CORD - ALMOND - 6'
$1.49
12' ALMOND HANDSET CORD
12' Almond Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7NHS CORD - ALMOND - 12'
$2.19
25' ALMOND HANDSET CORD
25' Almond Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON7OHS CORD - ALMOND - 25'
$3.98
6' OFF-WHITE HANDSET CORD
6' Off-White Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON6FHS CORD - OFF WHITE - 6'
$1.39
12' OFF-WHITE HANDSET CORD
12' Off-White Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Comes with sandman.com 30-Day Moneyback Guarantee
Part # MON6GHS CORD - OFF WHITE - 12'
$1.89
25' OFF-WHITE HANDSET CORD
25' Off-White Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON6HHS CORD - OFF WHITE - 25'
$2.89
6' ASH HANDSET CORD
6' Ash Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON6IHS CORD - ASH - 6'
$1.39
12' ASH HANDSET CORD
12' Ash Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON6JHS CORD - ASH - 12'
$1.89
25' ASH HANDSET CORD
25' Ash Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON6KHS CORD - ASH - 25'
$2.89
6' IVORY HANDSET CORD
6' Ivory Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON6LHS CORD - IVORY - 6'
$1.49
12' IVORY HANDSET CORD
12' Ivory Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON6MHS CORD - IVORY -12'
$2.69
25' IVORY HANDSET CORD
25' Ivory Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON6NHS CORD - IVORY - 25'
$3.98
6' WHITE HANDSET CORD
6' White Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON6OHS CORD - WHITE - 6'
$1.39
12' WHITE HANDSET CORD
12' White Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON6PHS CORD - WHITE -12'
$1.89
25' WHITE HANDSET CORD
25' White Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON6QHS CORD - WHITE - 25'
$2.89
12' CHERRY RED HANDSET CORD
12' Cherry Red Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Limited Quantity!
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Part # MON5MHS CORD-CHERRY RED-12'
$1.89
25' CHERRY RED HANDSET CORD
25' Cherry Red Modular Handset Cord
NOTE: Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
Limited Quantity!
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Part # MON5PHS CORD-CHERRY RED-25'
$2.19
NON-MODULAR (SPADE LUG) TELEPHONE HANDSET CORDS CORDS
These are Stocked Sizes of Non-Modular Handset Cords:
(Click to go to that size)Black Non-Modular Handset Cord: 6'
Ash Non-Modular Handset Cords: 9 and 15'
Ivory Non-Modular Handset Cords: 9 and 15'
Red Non-Modular Handset Cords: 6'
6 Conductor Black Non-Modular Handset Cords: 6'
6' BLACK NON-MODULAR (SPADE to SPADE) HANDSET CORD
6' Black Non-Modular Spade to Spade Handset Cord
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Part # MON9DHS CORD - NON MOD -BLACK 6'
$4.89
9' ASH NON-MODULAR (SPADE to SPADE) HANDSET CORD
9' Ash Non-Modular Spade to Spade Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON7SHS CORD-NON MOD-ASH-9'
$5.99
15' ASH NON-MODULAR (SPADE to SPADE) HANDSET CORD
15' Ash Non-Modular Spade to Spade Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON7THS CORD-NON MOD-ASH-15'
$7.99
6' IVORY NON-MODULAR (SPADE to SPADE) HANDSET CORD
6' Ivory Non-Modular Spade to Spade Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON9AHS CORD-NON MOD-IVORY-6'
$4.00
15' IVORY NON-MODULAR (SPADE to SPADE) HANDSET CORD
15' Ivory Non-Modular Spade to Spade Handset Cord
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON9BHS CORD-NON MOD-IVORY-15'
$5.99
6' RED NON-MODULAR (SPADE to SPADE) HANDSET CORD
6' Red Non-Modular Spade to Spade Handset Cord
NOTE: Color may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # MON9GHS CORD - NON MOD - RED - 6'
$4.00
6' BLACK NON-MODULAR (SPADE to SPADE) HANDSET CORD - 6 Conductor
6' Black 6 Conductor Non-Modular Spade to Spade Handset Cord
This is a 6 Conductor Handset Cord (Coiled) for Special Applications!
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Part # KIT2A6' 6 COND SPADE HS CORD-BLACK
$5.50
6' ASH NON-MODULAR (SPADE to SPADE) HANDSET CORD - 6 Conductor
6' Ash 6 Conductor Non-Modular Spade to Spade Handset Cord
This is a 6 Conductor Handset Cord (Coiled) for Special Applications!
NOTE: Industry Standard Colors may not be accurate on any particular monitor.
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Part # KIT2C6' 6 COND SPADE HS CORD-ASH
$5.50
15' BLACK SPADE to MODULAR HANDSET CORD - 6 Conductor
15' Black 6 Conductor Spade to Modular Handset Cord
This is a 6 Conductor Handset Cord (Coiled) that is modular on one end, and hard-wire (spade lugs) on the other end, for Special Applications!
The 6 Conductor Modular Plug on one end is often used on Trading Turrets for Push to Talk and Push to Mute operation (Push to Operate).
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Part # MON8ASPADE TO 6 COND MOD 15' BLACK
$9.95
7 FOOT STRAIGHT MODULAR HANDSET CORD
7 Foot Straight Handset Cord
7 Foot Straight Handset Cord (not coiled).
Specially made with handset sized (smaller) modular plugs, to plug into the smaller handset sized jack. This is technically called a 4P4C plug, with the jack sometimes referred to as an RJ-9 or RJ-22.
Put the spare pair from a station cable on our Handset Biscuit Jack, and send the audio to a central Voice Logger from our Handset Recording Adapter to that jack on the wall, using this Straight Handset Cord.
This cord is wired Standard (Reversed).
Using a cord with the smaller plugs prevents the phone from being plugged into the special jack for the Voice Logger, by mistake.
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Part # CHM5C14 FOOT STRAIGHT MODULAR HANDSET CORD
14 Foot Straight Handset Cord
14 Foot Straight Handset Cord (not coiled).
Same as above, but 14 feet.
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Part # CHM5DRETROFIT MODULAR PLUG - 4 Conductor
Make |
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Part # SER2QMODULAR REVERSING CORD
Modular Reversing Cord... Reverses the Polarity of Pairs 1 & 2
Don't want to remove the jack and swap the pairs, or can't do it in the phone room? Just stick the Modular Reversing Cord in-series with the polarity sensitive device, and you're done.
Other versions that reverse other pairs, including 8 pin plugs and jacks, are available. Just tell us what you need!
Phone Orders at 630-980-7710, or this item can be ordered Online:
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Part # SER3OWorld's Best Modular 6-8 Pin Crimp Tool - Ratcheting
Ratcheting Crimp Tool Doesn't Release Until Crimp is Complete
Does 6 Pin (RJ-11 Type 2-4-6) & 8 Pin (RJ-45 Type) Mod Plugs
We've tried all the others and this is the only one we can depend on!
Heavy duty metal construction with comfortable hand grips.
The secret is the floating crimper pins which are designed to ALWAYS stay parallel to the pins in the plug! Most crimpers start crimping on an angle at one side of the plug - causing the pins to sometimes get cocked.
We put a
lot of modular plugs on all kinds of
solid wire and flat custom cables in our
production department. We are so confident in these crimp tools that we've made our own Heavy Duty Crimpers using these tools to reduce hand strain for our production workers (we use three of them in our shop). We remove the hand grips and drill and tap one of the handles on the tool to mount it to the custom arbor press. We replace the actual Crimp Tool, which is the same one we stock and you can buy here, about once a year. They do eventually just plain wear out! (Sorry, we don't sell these Heavy Duty Crimpers) |
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I used to use an expensive AMP crimper that uses expensive replaceable dies which ONLY work with AMP brand plugs (which are hard to find). If someone crimped a regular mod plug (not AMP brand) in the tool, the pins on the soft pot metal die would get bent over and the die would be destroyed.
After throwing away my AMP crimp tool with the replaceable dies I've never had a problem with mod plugs! This is the most dependable crimper you can buy, and does 6 position plugs (2,4 or 6 pins) and 8 position plugs (does not do handset plugs - see our Handset Crimper below).
Suitable for flat silver satin cord and solid wire cable. Includes cutter and stripper for flat wire.
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Part # TLS1PWorld's Best Handset and 2-4-6 Pin Modular Crimp Tool - Ratcheting
Ratcheting Crimp
Tool Doesn't Release Until Crimp is Complete
Does 6 Pin (RJ-11 Type 2-4-6) & Handset (RJ22, RJ10, or RJ9 Type) Mod Plugs
Heavy duty metal construction with comfortable hand grips.
The secret is the floating crimper pins which are designed to ALWAYS stay parallel to the pins in the plug! Most crimpers start crimping on an angle at one side of the plug - causing the pins to sometimes get cocked.
This is like the regular 6 & 8 Crimper (above), but does Handset plugs and regular 2-4-6 Pin plugs - not 8 pin plugs. Suitable for flat silver satin type cord and solid wire. Includes cutter and stripper for flat wire.
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Part # TOO5PUniversal Handset, 2-4-6 Pin (RJ-11/12/14) and 8 Pin (RJ-45) Modular Crimp Tool - Ratcheting
All-in-One Ratcheting Crimp
Tool Doesn't Release Until Crimp is Complete
Does Handset
(RJ22, RJ10, or
RJ9 Type), 6 Pin (RJ11,
RJ14, or RJ12 Type 2-4-6)
& 8 Pin (RJ45 Type) Mod
Plugs
Heavy duty metal construction with comfortable hand grips.
The secret is the floating crimper pins which are designed to ALWAYS stay parallel to the pins in the plug!
8 Pin & 6 Pin on One Side
4 Pin Handset on Other Side
Suitable for flat silver satin type cord and round solid/stranded cable. Includes cutter and stripper for flat wire, and a stripper for round cable:
Strips Correct Amount of Jacket from Round Wire for an RJ45 8 Pin Type Plug!
Use a Scissors Not Dikes to Cut the Cable so the wires have a nice flat end that you can see through the clear connector to make sure they are all the way in.
You'll probably need to cut it flat with scissors after arranging the wires in order, before you insert the wires into the plug.
I find it easier to strip quite a bit of jacket off, arrange the wires, then cut it flat to the correct length with scissors before inserting the wires in the plug.
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Part # TOO5GModular Plugs for Flat and Round Wire
On most plugs for Solid Wire, the bottom half of the rectangle where you insert the cable is rounded - like a half moon (not all manufacturers do this, but the ones we carry do). Never use a modular plug with a rectangular entrance on solid wire, since it's only make for stranded or tinsel wire.
Solid Wire Plugs are made to work on the round solid copper wires that are used insides the walls,
and they also work on Stranded/Flat Wire.
It's often faster to crimp a modular plug plug onto the end of the cable that's going to plug into the equipment, rather than put up a jack and use a flat cord to connect to the equipment.
Stranded Wire Plugs are used on flat handset and base cords, which have tinsel or stranded wire. Tinsel wire is a bunch of copper clad ribbons, which is quite flexible compared to stranded or solid copper wire.
Stranded Wire Plugs won't work on solid wire because the points on the pins just put dimples into the tops of the solid copper wire. The pins work their way up and give you an intermittent connection almost immediately. They don't cut into the sides of the wire like plugs made for solid wire do.
Solid Wire Plugs dig into the sizes of copper wire, making a gas tight connection. A gas tight connection means that air can't get between the wire and the metal used for the IDC (Insulation Displacement Connection) terminal, causing oxidation and an eventual intermittent connection.
You will really be sorry if you use flat type stranded plugs on solid copper wire!
They cause hard to find intermittent problems that will cost you more in service calls than you made on the job in the first place... to say nothing of the really upset customer.
If you put the wrong plugs on the cable, the only fix is to go back and crimp the correct plugs on the cable!
Click HERE to see a Cable Pinout Chart to see where the wires go for each type of plug.
MODULAR HANDSET PLUGS
Modular Handset Cord Plugs are ONLY for Stranded Wire!
Sometimes called an RJ22, RJ10, or RJ9 Plug
Never crimp a handset plug on solid copper wire! It will be intermittent almost immediately!
Bag of 100
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Part # XMT1R4 CONDUCTOR SOLID & STRANDED MODULAR PLUGS
4 Conductor Modular Plug for Solid & Stranded Wire
Called a 6P4C Plug
Bag of 100
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Part # XMT9S4 CONDUCTOR STRANDED ONLY MODULAR PLUGS
4 Conductor Modular Plug for Stranded Wire ONLY
Called a 6P4C Plug
Never crimp this Stranded Only plug on solid copper wire! It will be intermittent almost immediately!
This plug is fine to use on flat telephone base or handset cord, but unless you are doing a lot of them it's better to use the Solid & Stranded Plug (above) so you don't mix them up and make a mistake!
Bag of 100
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Part # XMT3N6 CONDUCTOR SOLID & STRANDED MODULAR PLUGS
6 Conductor Modular Plug for Solid & Stranded Wire
Called a 6P6C Plug
Bag of 100
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Part # XMT1T8 CONDUCTOR CAT5
RATED SOLID &
STRANDED MODULAR PLUGS
8 Conductor CAT5 Rated Modular
Plug for Solid & Stranded Wire
Called a 8P8C or RJ45 Plug
Works fine for CAT3.
Bag of 100
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Part # XMT1EBLUE UNIVERSAL 2-4-6-8 PIN MODULAR PLUG
Blue Universal
2-4-6-8 Pin Modular Plug
An 8 Pin Mod Plug that slides into any Modular Jack - 2, 4, 6 or 8 Pins!
Use any regular 8 Pin Modular Crimping Tool.
Works with both Solid and Stranded wire (flat and round).
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Part # TOO5O6 CONDUCTOR K-PLUG
Non-Snag K-Plug
for Stranded Wire
This is the Plug to use with any Telephone Line Tester!
Non-Snag Clip on the Modular K-Plug is long enough to push with a pair of gloves on, and it won't break off!
Because it's longer than a standard Modular Plug, it's much easier to use with Testers that you need to plug-in and out all the time.
Use with stranded flat type wire, not solid copper wire.
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Part # TLS1D
12VDC 130ma Lamp
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Part # WAL6Q12VDC 130MA LAMP ONL
$3.79 Quantity Pricing Available
24VDC 70ma Lamp
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Part # WAL6R24VDC 70MA LAMP ONL
$5.79 Quantity Pricing Available
48VDC 35ma Lamp
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Part # WAL6S48VDC 35MA LAMP ONL
$4.49 Quantity Pricing Available
90V Neon Lamp with Resistor
This lamp is neat, because it will light when the line is ringing if the voltage is over about 80VAC.
It will also light on 85 to 140VDC for PBX Message Waiting. When used for Message Waiting, the lamp also lights (flickers) when the line is ringing.
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Part # WAL6T90-150VAC NEON LAMP
$4.79 Quantity Pricing Available
2012A 7 VAC DIAL LIGHT TRANSFORMER
7 VAC • With 5' Cord
You need to terminate the wires from the Power Cube - It doesn't have screw terminals
This is not the original type Power Cube.
Used on old Lighted Dial Phones (newer lighted dial phones are line powered).
Not for use on Orator or Speakerphones, which use 15-18VAC.
Limited Quantity!
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Part # SER7T