Either my iPhone is now equipped with Smell-o-Vision or I just had an acute olfactory hallucination, because when you popped the cover off of the old answering machine I swear I could smell the old circuits wafting their essence at me..
Looking at the back of the first machine. "OH MY GOD - WHAT IS ALL THIS CRAP!? I'VE DIED AND GONE TO HELL! DON'T MAKE ME TRY TO REPAIR THIS MESS!? Oh, it's not my problem. Never mind." "The robot arms are designed to throw the handset across the room and into the faces of your loved ones."
Two bits of info that might be of interest in your troubleshooting: 1) US phones often ring at 20 or 30 Hz. IIRC, BT used 16.67 Hz. Depending on how the ring sensor works, you might not be matching frequencies correctly. (Of course, I'm thinking in terms of a 21st-century PLL, so YMMV. 🤷♂) 2) US phones come in both 24v and 48v varieties, depending on the era and region. If your Strowger system is using the other voltage, that could explain some of the mic gain issues you're seeing. Cool stuff! 👍
As a Yankee who used to own that very type of phone back in the day, I should note/nitpick that the American phones don't go "ring-ring", but one long "riiiiiiiiiiing". I mention this as it may effect the response of the Ansaphone.
Thanks Moses. It works so all good only needs a second of ac pulse. Unfortunately can't replicate it as have U.K. ringing machines. One day I'll bodge a ring for this phone! But not today cheeeers
Not always - certain systems did a continuous ring, but most were interrupted; the later Bell practice was two seconds on, four off. Answering machines, modems, and fax machines in the '80s would count the "on" periods and only pick up after, e.g., three rings. (Certain systems, mostly party lines, had specific patterns for each subscriber so they'd know when the call was for them and not for their neighbor.)
It'd be cool if you could get ahold of one of those machines that used to give movie times. Back when you'd call the theater's phone number and it'd read off the times.
I think it might not be lifting the handset high enough. You know the mic works, it's the same circuit you used to record the outgoing message. You know it's recording in answer mode because it heard you near the machine. I think there might be a contact for mic hot on the phone that's open unless the handset is lifted just a little bit more.
If it was the case the loop with the other phone would be made that's the only issue with what you are saying. If the speaker was not making contact the loop would be incomplete and I wouldn't be able to hear anything. However you can hear it recorded just very quietly
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER Was it hearing you through the phone's circuit, or was the mic just picking you up ambiently (hence the very muted level) and, as importantly, can you confirm that you can hear it with the receiver's on-hook buttons pressed just a little? Edit: I mean on the American handset. Pick it up and depress the hookswitches just a little. Do you still get sidetone?
@@SwervingLemon hey up. Cheers for the comment I'm not quite sure what you are meaning but I'll try and figure it out. The issue with if the buttons are still slightly depressed on the hook and the speaker is not in the loop would mean the loop would be broken and the mouthpiece wouldn't even work. I called something whilst it was engaged with the hands and you could still hear the loop
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER Ok. Damn. I had an old Bell handset that if you so much as brushed the hookswitches, the receiver no longer had any speaker output. Guess that's not the case here.
For sure the first one is a vacuum tube one, if the other two are also, they caps would need to be changed to give the best chance of working long term. The First one and the USA-made one are pretty dammm coooool. EDIT BTW idk about the USA, but here in Canada, all our phone lines work on 24V (not 120v) to the house then is dropped to 3V to 9V.
I thought all phone lines were ~48VDC on hook which then drops off hook. I've measured 6 volts when in use which matches what you said. US ringing is 90VAC 20Hz and I presume Canada is identical, but I think other countries are a bit different but still close enough.
Tape loop? I can totally see modding it, making it a tape delay unit... A thing of beauty and a splendid industrial design! Sounds like a CB radio though. "Bzzzzt!"
probably the only reason that product could exist in the first place is bell telephone (at&t) had a monopoly in america with a standardized telephone model
Great stuff as always Sam^^ Keep up the great work Maybe cleaning the magnetic heads and a new spool of tape might improve on the overall quality of recording
It would be cool to design some circuitry so when a person calls and leaves a message the loop starts playing back to the caller as they are talking! A kind of dial-an-echo 😂
Back in the day your outgoing message needed detailed instructions, because callers often would not understand the technology or what to do. "Hello. We are not available to answer the phone right know. Please leave a message after the beep including you name, number, and the time you called. We will get back to you as soon as possible." Some elderly people still have outgoing voicemail messages like this.
That makes sense! I never considered that the time of the call wasn't just automatically saved/shown back then. Meanwhile my 'modern' voice mail instructions are "When you hear the beep, hang up and just send a text instead" lmao
It's always annoyed me when they open with "hello" so you're not sure if it's a genuine answer or not! My dad's always said "I can't come to the phone right now, if you leave your name and number I'll get back to you" which is just a more concise version of yours. I've always structured mine like that too, probably because I grew up around his. Although I added a little section about hanging up and redialling if it's especially urgent, to account for "do not disturb" modes on modern phones. Sometimes people will call again after 10-15 minutes when it's urgent, which won't trigger an exception like calling again within a couple of minutes does. Of course it's hardly relevant most of the time because the only time I really get calls are things like doctor's appointments. Most other important communications come in the post or by email. Still, I like to have something just so people know I will get to it, which a pre-canned response provided by the phone network doesn't do.
Not sure probably someone else already said this but should the headset be in the different direction? isn't the mic now on the speaker side. And the ear side of the phone should be on the side where the answering machine sound is coming?
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER HI. Thanks for the fast reply. Yeah you are right of course. I got confused myself with the what is recording what is not. :D (Slapping my for head) HAHHAA!
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER Doesn't make sense that the mic gets people talking in the room but can't hear a speaker that's right up against it... Maybe the hook switch on the phone is wonky and when it's lifted up by the arms enough to take it off hook it isn't lifted enough for all the contacts to meet, and that's muting the speaker?
Random electronics question for you Sam... When working with keyboard switch matricies (eg the piano keyboard for midi).... what frequency are you clocking each key? I've got an 11x8x11 (hit/velocity) matrix that im trying to make a controller for from scratch and im curious how fast is acceptable to cycle the multiplexing
If you're 10x the fastest speed that you're likely to press the keys you should be fine, realistically you probably aren't hitting the keys at more than 10Hz so 100Hz should be more than adequate (10ms loop). If you're using a microcontroller then it will probably scan pretty quickly. As Sam says though you can adjust it on the fly and try that.
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER When i pulse each of the 11 lines, i get 8 data line outputs like a byte so id have to detect the frequency and change my baud rate for the serial input im planning
American phones on British equipment are are quieter in general, because there’s an impedance mismatch. From memory I think American phones expect an impedance of 900R but British equipment has a line impedance of 600R - so can’t drive enough power in the speech circuit to make it loud enough. There may be ways around this, but I’ve never tried… as 500 types fall outside of my interest! You may be able to tweak the network in the phone to set it up for a PAVX line, which Google suggests is 600R even in the USA?
Yes interesting. Sounds good! I suspected a region mismatch. But having checked the phone up against another level wise. It was still recording a tad low. Got a couple of ideas. If no work I'll be looking into botching the phones circuit
Believe it or not, Sam isn't at home Please leave a message at the beep I must be out, or I'd pick up the phone Where could I be? Believe it or not, I'm not home
Either my iPhone is now equipped with Smell-o-Vision or I just had an acute olfactory hallucination, because when you popped the cover off of the old answering machine I swear I could smell the old circuits wafting their essence at me..
lol.. aroma of warmed dust and insect pooh....hmmmm
Off Gass
when you call grandpa for a "short" phone call lol
Lol
Looking at the back of the first machine. "OH MY GOD - WHAT IS ALL THIS CRAP!? I'VE DIED AND GONE TO HELL! DON'T MAKE ME TRY TO REPAIR THIS MESS!? Oh, it's not my problem. Never mind."
"The robot arms are designed to throw the handset across the room and into the faces of your loved ones."
The aesthetic of the American one is just amazing.
Two bits of info that might be of interest in your troubleshooting:
1) US phones often ring at 20 or 30 Hz. IIRC, BT used 16.67 Hz. Depending on how the ring sensor works, you might not be matching frequencies correctly. (Of course, I'm thinking in terms of a 21st-century PLL, so YMMV. 🤷♂)
2) US phones come in both 24v and 48v varieties, depending on the era and region. If your Strowger system is using the other voltage, that could explain some of the mic gain issues you're seeing.
Cool stuff! 👍
Hey up cheers ted! I guess that's why the capacitor swap worked then! As for the voltage interesting I was not aware. Cheers
Indeed the same in Canada, 24V up to the house then it dropped to an Average 5V (from 3 to 9V)
The recordings have a Dalek quality to them. Take me to your (tape) leader. Extension 8…. Extension 8
Exxxxxtermiate
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER Cant quite picture a Dalek picking up a phone and conversing :) I think they’d need an Eye Phone.
Such a cool design, looks like something straight out of Fallout 4, even the font!
As a Yankee who used to own that very type of phone back in the day, I should note/nitpick that the American phones don't go "ring-ring", but one long "riiiiiiiiiiing". I mention this as it may effect the response of the Ansaphone.
Thanks Moses. It works so all good only needs a second of ac pulse. Unfortunately can't replicate it as have U.K. ringing machines. One day I'll bodge a ring for this phone! But not today cheeeers
Not always - certain systems did a continuous ring, but most were interrupted; the later Bell practice was two seconds on, four off. Answering machines, modems, and fax machines in the '80s would count the "on" periods and only pick up after, e.g., three rings.
(Certain systems, mostly party lines, had specific patterns for each subscriber so they'd know when the call was for them and not for their neighbor.)
It'd be cool if you could get ahold of one of those machines that used to give movie times. Back when you'd call the theater's phone number and it'd read off the times.
That was just fascinating, I'd no idea that mechanical answering machines existed. Thanks Sam that was great fun!
Yeah definitely interestingn!
I think it might not be lifting the handset high enough.
You know the mic works, it's the same circuit you used to record the outgoing message.
You know it's recording in answer mode because it heard you near the machine.
I think there might be a contact for mic hot on the phone that's open unless the handset is lifted just a little bit more.
I was thinking the same!
If it was the case the loop with the other phone would be made that's the only issue with what you are saying. If the speaker was not making contact the loop would be incomplete and I wouldn't be able to hear anything. However you can hear it recorded just very quietly
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER Was it hearing you through the phone's circuit, or was the mic just picking you up ambiently (hence the very muted level) and, as importantly, can you confirm that you can hear it with the receiver's on-hook buttons pressed just a little?
Edit: I mean on the American handset. Pick it up and depress the hookswitches just a little. Do you still get sidetone?
@@SwervingLemon hey up. Cheers for the comment I'm not quite sure what you are meaning but I'll try and figure it out. The issue with if the buttons are still slightly depressed on the hook and the speaker is not in the loop would mean the loop would be broken and the mouthpiece wouldn't even work. I called something whilst it was engaged with the hands and you could still hear the loop
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER Ok. Damn. I had an old Bell handset that if you so much as brushed the hookswitches, the receiver no longer had any speaker output. Guess that's not the case here.
That machine should be in a museum.
It is :)
Haha
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER Yep, that was the joke. :) Seriously though, it's a gorgeous machine.
Weird/awesome. I really admire how you're able to get things kind of working. Cheers!
For sure the first one is a vacuum tube one, if the other two are also, they caps would need to be changed to give the best chance of working long term. The First one and the USA-made one are pretty dammm coooool. EDIT BTW idk about the USA, but here in Canada, all our phone lines work on 24V (not 120v) to the house then is dropped to 3V to 9V.
I thought all phone lines were ~48VDC on hook which then drops off hook. I've measured 6 volts when in use which matches what you said. US ringing is 90VAC 20Hz and I presume Canada is identical, but I think other countries are a bit different but still close enough.
Tape loop? I can totally see modding it, making it a tape delay unit... A thing of beauty and a splendid industrial design! Sounds like a CB radio though.
"Bzzzzt!"
probably the only reason that product could exist in the first place is bell telephone (at&t) had a monopoly in america with a standardized telephone model
4:35 it's not a mini-XLR, it's a GX-16-2.
That American made one is so beautiful.
Late to the party...Love your determination...Thanks
That's hilarious,the way it threw the receiver in the air at first!
That's sweet hope to see it soon:)
Hainbach would love that machine.
Great stuff as always Sam^^
Keep up the great work
Maybe cleaning the magnetic heads and a new spool of tape might improve on the overall quality of recording
Yep! Indeed I'll be doing so soon. Just making the most of the rough quality first as it has its own charm
Wow, what a great extension to your switchboard this could become. Does it only take one message?
I like that screwdriver for going around edges 🤣
It would be cool to design some circuitry so when a person calls and leaves a message the loop starts playing back to the caller as they are talking!
A kind of dial-an-echo 😂
Would be a combo of an answering machine and a tape echo. Could be tricky in regards of the number of magetic heads
Back in the day your outgoing message needed detailed instructions, because callers often would not understand the technology or what to do. "Hello. We are not available to answer the phone right know. Please leave a message after the beep including you name, number, and the time you called. We will get back to you as soon as possible." Some elderly people still have outgoing voicemail messages like this.
That makes sense! I never considered that the time of the call wasn't just automatically saved/shown back then. Meanwhile my 'modern' voice mail instructions are "When you hear the beep, hang up and just send a text instead" lmao
It's always annoyed me when they open with "hello" so you're not sure if it's a genuine answer or not! My dad's always said "I can't come to the phone right now, if you leave your name and number I'll get back to you" which is just a more concise version of yours.
I've always structured mine like that too, probably because I grew up around his. Although I added a little section about hanging up and redialling if it's especially urgent, to account for "do not disturb" modes on modern phones. Sometimes people will call again after 10-15 minutes when it's urgent, which won't trigger an exception like calling again within a couple of minutes does.
Of course it's hardly relevant most of the time because the only time I really get calls are things like doctor's appointments. Most other important communications come in the post or by email. Still, I like to have something just so people know I will get to it, which a pre-canned response provided by the phone network doesn't do.
Ironically waiting for a loop to end ;o)
magnificent.
Theee peeerson yuuuu are tryeeeing to ccaaawwel. XD
Not sure probably someone else already said this but should the headset be in the different direction? isn't the mic now on the speaker side. And the ear side of the phone should be on the side where the answering machine sound is coming?
Hey up. Cheers for the comment. Not sure how would work the other way. The mouthpiece is above the speaker and mic on the earpiece
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER HI. Thanks for the fast reply. Yeah you are right of course. I got confused myself with the what is recording what is not. :D (Slapping my for head) HAHHAA!
@@volanoisystuff2879 all good I got confused whilst doing it too haha. I did ask the question and took me a mo to get my head straight haha cheers
Mad scientist's answering machine
Nice weird stuff!
Different spec for European, the loop inside the phone isn't going to match the signal through the line, check from another phone.
Having checked the volume it is plenty loud enough there is no discernible difference in level
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER Doesn't make sense that the mic gets people talking in the room but can't hear a speaker that's right up against it...
Maybe the hook switch on the phone is wonky and when it's lifted up by the arms enough to take it off hook it isn't lifted enough for all the contacts to meet, and that's muting the speaker?
Random electronics question for you Sam... When working with keyboard switch matricies (eg the piano keyboard for midi).... what frequency are you clocking each key? I've got an 11x8x11 (hit/velocity) matrix that im trying to make a controller for from scratch and im curious how fast is acceptable to cycle the multiplexing
Make it variable on a potentiometer and you can try em all!
If you're 10x the fastest speed that you're likely to press the keys you should be fine, realistically you probably aren't hitting the keys at more than 10Hz so 100Hz should be more than adequate (10ms loop). If you're using a microcontroller then it will probably scan pretty quickly. As Sam says though you can adjust it on the fly and try that.
@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER When i pulse each of the 11 lines, i get 8 data line outputs like a byte so id have to detect the frequency and change my baud rate for the serial input im planning
American phones on British equipment are are quieter in general, because there’s an impedance mismatch.
From memory I think American phones expect an impedance of 900R but British equipment has a line impedance of 600R - so can’t drive enough power in the speech circuit to make it loud enough.
There may be ways around this, but I’ve never tried… as 500 types fall outside of my interest!
You may be able to tweak the network in the phone to set it up for a PAVX line, which Google suggests is 600R even in the USA?
“PABX” not PAVX - stupid fingers
the Canadian ones look the same but run 600R. i believe. might be the one ?
Yes interesting. Sounds good! I suspected a region mismatch. But having checked the phone up against another level wise. It was still recording a tad low. Got a couple of ideas. If no work I'll be looking into botching the phones circuit
Those screw drivers have seen some shit.
Believe it or not, Sam isn't at home
Please leave a message at the beep
I must be out, or I'd pick up the phone
Where could I be? Believe it or not, I'm not home
#tagurself I am Sam's bent screwdrivers.
If you record an annoying message you are doomed to call 100 times before it works.
A NSA phone? No thanks.
Anything below 300 Hz is overrated! 🙂