Greetings & Salutations to The Group!
I'll get right to it. We have a Western Electric 511c(I believe) KSU with 4 400D cards installed and 11 ITT 2564 6-button phone stations. Everything is working fine, but I'm looking to add a speakerphone to my desk.
From what I've been able to gather, I'm looking for the model 2844 Speakerphone. However, I'm not sure and I'm unable to find any additional information about this device, OR where to purchase said device.
The desired goal of my quest is to have the 2564 on my desk and an "accessory" speakerphone for long waits on hold, conferences, etc. I would need the ability to place any of the 4 lines on speakerphone, but do not require dial-out functionality from the speakerphone.
What I imagine (or hope, as the case may be) is there exists a device that has the 50 pin connector, which I could couple into the existing desk set connection, and has 6 buttons just like the phone sets, without the dialpad.
I hope I've explained myself and my goals well enough to make sense and I thank all for any help given. Thanks again.
--Joe
Viking welcome
Would you be kind enough to complete your profile.
Theres a listing for new ones to call 1-856-346-4929 and shows 4 new ones .
he also listed 2842 sets ,i think some were icm speakerphones and some were full speaker.
If Ed pops in he has some older books .
and could clarify this for you .
Hello,
Thanks for the information. I think you were referring to SurplusMaster? It looks like they have a variety of equipment that would suit my needs.
It looks like the Speakerphone 4A is what I need. I read the recent topic of "Western Electic speakerphone" and it looks like it couples right into the 50-pin connector.
One question, I read in the above mentioned topic there is a "rockerswitch transmitter." Does this mean the TX audio is disabled until I press the switch? If so, is the RX audio muted while the TX switch is pressed? I'll probably be using the device mostly to prevent neck cramps while "waiting for the next available associate."
One other question; when the speakerphone is active, on a call, is the touch-tone keypad disabled on the phoneset, or will it still send tones down the line so I can, "Press 1 to hold, Press 2 to hold a really long time...."?
If anybody has a manual for the 4A, or could explain the operation of the device, e.g., do I have to lift the handset off the cradle, etc., I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks to all for the info & help!
--Joe
Joe:
Yes, the 4A speakerphone is what you want, but your phone will need to be a 2565, not the current 2564 that you have. So, you will essentially need to buy both. Once you have the 2565 and the 4A with the appropriate connector, then yes, you can almost plug the whole setup together yourself. The only wiring you will have to do is connecting the power transformer to the connecting block.
As far as operation of the 4A, it's really pretty simple. The rocker switch selects either on or off. There's a rotary volume level wheel on the right side. If you are on speakerphone, you can mute the transmitter by holding the rocker switch down in the "ON" position. You have to hold it down to keep the transmitter muted. For normal conversation, all you have to do is turn it on to begin the call and off to end it. It's really no different than using the phone normally.
When you turn on the 4A, the 2565 phone is fully-functional, in that you still use the dial, line keys and hold button on the phone. The handset remains in the cradle the whole time the 4A is in use, in fact if it is lifted, the 4A automatically cuts off.
Sources for the 4A are becoming increasingly limited, so if you are on the fence about buying one, you should do it now.
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the great information. Two questions:
1) Why is the 2565 required?
2) Would the 2568 (or any other phone set) work?
Just more for curiosity than anything else. Thanks again for all of the help.
--Joe
Joe:
The 2565 has a special dial in it that has connections that are brought back out of the phone in the line cord to the 4A speakerphone connection block. This phone also has a few additional leads from the hook switch to allow the phone to be "turned on" without lifting the handset. These leads (violet/green, violet/brown and violet/slate) are required and expected by the 4A. If you have a 2564 set, it lacks the special dial contacts, not to mention the entire compliment of five "violet" pairs in the line cord. It stops at yellow-slate with the 2564 model. Modification of a 2564 is not an economical option.
As for the 2568 question, I will have to get back to you on that, but I seem to recall that any 256X series phone above 2564 supported the 4A.
Hi Ed (& Group),
I've checked with SurplusMaster, Surplus Sales of Nebraska, Barclay Enterprises, and NTCP. None of these guys have a fully functional 4A for sale. Do you (or anybody else) have other ideas as to where I should try? I've also been checking Ebay regularly.
If I'm unable to find a 4A, would replacing the 256x set on my desk with the 2844 give me the same functionality all in one unit? Or is there another model that will handle 4 lines with a built-in speakerhone?
As always, thank you for the input.
--Joe
Joe:
Yes, the 2844 will give you everyting in one package and it's not a bad looking phone. It's more a matter of finding one.
We used to purchase a good bit of 1A2 equipment from Eltas, but I don't know if they still carry it. I will say that their refurbised equipment was really good in quality. I don't think they do it anymore, but you can try them at (800) 488-2830.
You might want to look into the Comdial Voice Express (VX41) and the 6-button keystrip if you can find it. It was a really nice phone for it's time and had a lot of nice features, like speed dial buttons, etc.
Anyway, here are some other potential suppliers:
Southern Telcom (800-752-1107); Blue Sky Telephone (800-774-4341) and Communication Support Equipment (877-288-8909).
You might want to try:
tel-part Inc.
800-275-8355 or on the web
https://www.tel-part.com
Tom:
I called them before my previous post. They are 100% out of the 1A2 business; they only had one technician left who could service it and he retired two years ago. We used to get all of our unusual 1A2 equipment from them. Too bad.....
Their website is also dead. Nothing works; you have to just call them. I guess the guy that handled their 1A2 also handled their website.
well I'll be damned.
There not many businesses who able to survive selling 1A2 equipment these days.
Thanks Ed
I called tel-part a few years ago and they
already dumped their 1a2.
Isnt there another 4a topic around with a guy looking for a 4a?
southern telecom 1-800-752-1107
There also was a guy in the midwest sold Met sets
and comkeys if anyone remembers the name.
Cincinnati Bell also sold stuff like this if someone has number of supply side ,Maybe they are still around.
Hi Gang,
I called Eltas and they are also out of the 1A2 biz. They referred me to Triad (800-735-6597), who does not have either the 4A or 2844 in stock. Southern Telecom was also out of both.
I called Blue Sky and they have a couple refurb'd 2844s in stock so I ordered one. It should be here in a couple of days, and it seems like I'm waiting for Xmas to come. Nobody seemed to have the 4A in stock, but I will still keep looking, if not just to have one as a piece of telecom nostalgia.
Once the phone gets here and I connect it, I'm sure I'll post some addt'l info on how it went and how envious everybody is. Word slipped out about my search here at the office, and I've already been dubbed "Bosley".
Thanks to all for the help.
--Joe
Look to see if you can find a Comdial Voice Express.
It is a single line telephone that can have 5 button or 10 button keystrip added to it. It competes with the 4A. Has a display, speed dial,clock. I bought 10 about 3 yrs ago for $50. each. Can't remember from who, Sorry
These are some of the suggestions I made in my post a while back with regard to suggested suppliers and the Comdial Voice Express.
Joe, you might need some assistance if your current system has intercom because ITT sets don't come with buzzers installed. If you don't have intercom, they it should be plug and play.
F.Y.I., I received a call back from Triad (800-735-6597), indicating they have some complete 4A speakerphones in stock (in case others may be searching).
--Joe
Thanks for the note, Ed. We currently do not use intercom and have a mix of phones (WE & ITT).
(slight digression) It's kind of neat seeing the KSU hanging on the wall being fed with fractional T service by an ADIT 600. New technology meets old. So far, the old has proven far more reliable. Oh well... onward and downward....
Kind of like the East meets West I suppose.
I am glad to hear that you may have reached a solution. So the real question is did you receive the ITT 28XX and hook it up yet? You mentioned being like a kid at Christmas eve.
I have been on the edge of my seat ever since!
TA-DA!!!
It arrived today! Well... Sort of...
I had ordered the 2844 and a 2842 was shipped in a 2843 original box!
Well, I'm not positive about that. The stamp on the bottom of the set says 2842 44 BA M 3 85. From what I've been able to gather, that means:
1)It's a 2842 phone set
2)BA means it has a "stratight line" ringer??
3)M for metropolitan model (letters & numbers)
4)There is a compliance sticker on the bottom indicating a date of 07/85, so does the last number of the model number above indicate manufacture year?
What do the rest of the characters indicate? I have an ITT chart that lists the code numbers, is there an up-to-date (ha-ha) version, mine is from 10/1970.
I'm assuming there is little difference between the 3 sets? It works and looks excellent. I had to add a little toggle switch above the speaker so I could mute TX audio when needed.
What are the differences (if any) between the 3842/43/44?
Thanks!
Oops.. I meant, "What are the differences (if any) between the 2842/43/44?"
--Joe
UPDATE---
I found the color code chart for ITT phones and the 44 in "2842 44 BA M 3 85" stands for "light ash" color. Still unsure of the "3"...
--Joe
Joe:
I am pretty sure that 3 is the month and 85 is the year of manufacture. Yes, 44 is the color code for ash (00=black, 09=ivory, etc.), BA indicates the ringer's coil type, and the M indicates a "Metro" dial, meaning one with letters included. If you had an "MBA", it would indicate that the handset cord is modular, not hardwired which is indicated by a "zero" before the BA.
I think the different model numbers were indicative of the number of buttons because there was a single-line, ten-button and twenty-button version.
Joe:
I forgot to ask, did it plug and play OK for you?
Hi Ed,
Yup, plugged and played no problem... I just unplugged the 2564 and plugged in the 2842 and plugged in the wall-wart and everything came to life. No problems at all.
Two noteworthy items:
1) The RX audio quality from the speakerphone is exceptional. Very full sound and not tinny like modern speakerphones.
2) The switching / local TX audio detection function for the speakerphone is also outstanding. I've used modern speakerphones and the slightest noise will cut RX audio and chop the conversation. Not with this baby... As soon as I started talking though, it picked up the TX audio and no syllables were lost.
As a kind of neat feature, the lamp under the OFF button for the speakerphone turns on and off to indicate which side of the conversation has control of the TX audio. When lit, local TX audio is transmitted, when extinguished, remote TX audio has the con. Nifty.
Well, I thank all who helped in this quest, especially you, Ed. This board is a great resource. I definitely will stick around & try to offer what I can. Thanks again.
--Joe
Joe: I agree with you about the quality of the speaker. They use a nice heavy magnet in the speaker to provide rich sound.
I am glad everything worked out and was happy to assist.