sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems 1A2 and Comkey Telephones & Systems special 1A2 connectors

They are key telephones designed to be unplugged and replugged (so called "portable") by the subscriber when not in use, as opposed to permanently plugged in sets. They have a special engineering # stamped on the base. (GSE xxxxx)

The applications were outdoor phones near places where there was a swimming pool, or other weather affected areas, board rooms of corporations, or other spots where the subscriber did not need or want a full time installation. The plug was large enough not to incur damage from clumsy subscribers. The socket was a cast aluminum box, with mounting ears, approx 6" by 3" by 3" deep, with a spring loaded cover, e/w a gasket. The socket came factory wired on a length of 25 pair cable.

Since the plug/socket arrangement had only 16 pairs, some wiring compromises were necessary. Five PU require 10 pairs. (T,R,A,L) Then add the 5 lamp grounds, a buzzer pair and a ringer pair, and A1 ground requires total 15 pairs. One more spare for signaling if necessary. Like the man said, 4 yellow pairs and all 5 of the violet pairs were left out.

I had several NYTelCo subscribers with these phones, notably rich & famous in penthouses/terraces in Manhattan, where the phone was brought out and in by the staff. When a phone needed to be replaced in urban or high class suburban locations. because of damage from weather, it was a hassle to order these "special assemblies", as they were called. I Believe only the New York company offered them, but they may have been available in other places.

Towards the end of 1A2, I took a few of the male plugs off of damaged sets, used a Dremel to create a rectangular slot in the back of the plug, and pop riveted a 25 pair female amphenol connector onto the back of the plug. I then soldered the appropriate wires and made adapters, so a standard 565 or 2565 could be taken off the shelf and used immediately with no service delay. Alas, the end of 1A2 was upon us, so I never had a chance of submitting my design to Bell Labs, in the hopes of receiving a certificate, suitable for framing, for my amazing creation.

We aren't Bell Labs, Arthur, but we sure appreciate your contributions here. Great bit of history on the connectors.

Jim

I knew Mr. Bloom would know!

Those are the ones in the picture and no, I've never used - or even seen them.

Thanks, Hal!

Sam

The company I worked for right out of HS did a lot of work for Boing Aircraft and the aerospace industry making test systems. Those connectors were on the back of rack mounted equipment. They were used because they thought the heavy cables would have caused problems hanging down off the regular Amphenols that we all know. We used those by the thousands also.

-Hal

Arthur,... we sure appreciate your contributions here.

You're very kind.

Uncle Arthur! Long time no see!

Found my password. LOL

Was it ********?

Glad to see you back, Uncle Arthur.