Field phone and switchboard inter-operability

[maple_leaf_eh]

The postwar TA43 field phone has two wires and two flashlight batteries. There is a push to talk switch on the handset, and no data capability by itself.

https://radionerds.com/index.php/TA-43~PT

I do know there was a switchboard that had patch cords for sending calls from scattered stations to one point, and directing the calls where needed.

The C42 radio had a handset that fed with WD1 phone wire to a junction box on the top tray. The remote had a thumb operated magneto on the handset which rattled a clacker in the junction box, and whoever was on radio watch could speak to the remote. I don't know if it had batteries or used the C42's power.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Hi Gary,

Pre-WW2 was mostly buzzer call instruments: Telephone Sets D Mark III and III* in leather cases, and a 10 line exchange (Buzzer Switch Unit 7+3). (For working in the "Danger Zone" (within about 3000 yards of the enemy lines) the Fullerphone (a Direct-Current telegraph instrument - morse only) would be used to prevent interception by the enemy (this was "point to point" only, it had no "calling features" and couldn't work through an exchange.

WW2 saw the introduction of Telephone Set D Mark V, with buzzer calling and buzzer or magneto answering. It could do morse code or speech, but was still interceptable, so the Fullerphone was still used if interception was likely to be a risk.

Linemen continued to use the D Mark III or a GPO 110 telephone for portability.

The "Office Telephone" for higher formations was Telephone Set "F", which originally supported buzzer and magneto calling, but later had the buzzer replaced by an "induction coil" (audio transformer) for better speech quality.
(The Telephone Set "F" High Power was for use on long lines and had a valve audio amplifier built in (separate battery boxes required)).

There was also Telephone Set 'H' in the same casing as the "F", which was "sound powered" (dynamic inserts for microphone and earphone) for short distance use (rifle ranges and coastal guns, etc.)

Telephone Set 'L' in a pressed steel case replaced the Linemen's phones. It was more robust but not waterproof and was later replaced by Telephone Set "J" which was fully sealed and tropicalised - this also replaced the "D" range as the Army dropped buzzer signalling from newer equipment.

Switchboards:

Universal Call 6-line and 10-line were used in forward areas, they supported buzzer or magneto signalling and are reasonably portable.

F&F (Field and Fixed) was a modular exchange that could be broken down for transit. It could also be connected to the GPO telephone network. (I can't put my hand on its manual right now, and can't remember if it supports buzzer signalling - depends on whether the indicators are sensitive enough.) It was basically an "Office" exchange for headquarters that was light enough (Ha!) to be taken into the field, as well as being used in fixed installations and vehicles.

Magneto 10-Line (WD) was a later (magneto only) switchboard that was waterproof. It required a separate telephone (usually a 'J') for the operator.

Various "Wireless Remote Control" units could also act as magneto telephones.

The 19 set group has most of the manuals if you need more detail.

Best regards,
Chris.

[Mike K]

Most of the WW2 era British pattern field telephone equipment was also manufactured outside of Britain. Australia and Canada ( and N.Z. ? ) built copies of the field phones D mk V and switchboards.

I have a Aust. made Telephone F , have also seen L phones . Here, the Postmaster General (PMG) , operated the govt. owned communications network, the PMG operated their own factories where many thousands of wartime field phones were manufactured. The PMG ran just about everything, from the telephone system to amateur radio licensing and exams.A friend did his radio tech. apprenticeship in the PMG during the 1960s.

Used to buy D mk 5 phones for $10 but the recent prices have been going through the roof, up to $200. Just recently I spotted two "A" remote control units at $125 each, Aust. built for the W.S. 11.

I've seen many Australian built field sets that were supplied with a die cast alloy case, over time, the alloy corrodes into a white powder substance. Don't know if the alloy cases were also seen in other countries ?

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Most of the WW2 era British pattern field telephone equipment was also manufactured outside of Britain. Australia and Canada ( and N.Z. ? ) built copies of the field phones D Mark V and switchboards.

Yes, the British Empire/Commonwealth meant that lots of equipment was designed in the UK, then manufactured (where possible) for local use in other countries. I've got (I think) New Zealand made signals kit, an Australian tripod and bomb disposal telephones, and US and Canadian manufactured WS19s and ancillaries.

Changes were made for local manufacture: the Canadian Telephone Set 'D' Mark V has an aluminium (rather than steel) case, and the WS19 aerial base spacer is made of plywood (with cork gaskets) rather than rubber.

I have a Aust. made Telephone F , have also seen L phones . Here, the Postmaster General (PMG) , operated the govt. owned communications network, the PMG operated their own factories where many thousands of wartime field phones were manufactured. The PMG ran just about everything, from the telephone system to amateur radio licensing and exams.A friend did his radio tech. apprenticeship in the PMG during the 1960s.

Used to buy D mk 5 phones for $10 but the recent prices have been going through the roof, up to $200. Just recently I spotted two "A" remote control units at $125 each, Aust. built for the W.S. 11.

Prices have gone through the roof over the last few years, partly due to scarcity, but also due to people taking auction prices (where two people desperately want a particular item) as the actual value. Then there are the dealers (and optimists) waiting for the One True Sucker to appear and make them rich...

I've seen many Australian built field sets that were supplied with a die cast alloy case, over time, the alloy corrodes into a white powder substance. Don't know if the alloy cases were also seen in other countries ?

Canada made aluminium cased kit, because they had hydroelectric power to run aluminium smelters, and also wooden instead of rubber parts for similar reasons: locally available materials.

There's stuff I want for the collection available in Australia (Bags, Telephone Receiver - the forerunner of the "Satchel, Signals"), but shipping costs have also gone through the roof.

Too much stuff got melted down as scrap or buried in landfill.

Best regards,
Chris.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

The C42 radio had a handset that fed with WD1 phone wire to a junction box on the top tray. The remote had a thumb operated magneto on the handset which rattled a clacker in the junction box, and whoever was on radio watch could speak to the remote. I don't know if it had batteries or used the C42's power.

I think the remote handset is entirely passive, and powered from the J1 or J2 box in Wireless Harness 'B' (soft-skinned vehicles) or the equivalent in AFVs. (I must sort my library into some kind of order; I can't find the appropriate manuals at the moment.) The buzzer or other tone generator is in the J1 control box (from memory).

WD1 is identical to D10 cable. (D9 never made it into service, I can't remember exactly why, but suspect the insulation wasn't robust enough, and why D10 had a protective outer layer of Nylon over the PVC. The earlier telephone cables (D1 to D8) were a cloth-covered rubber insulated type, with wax (Ozokerite?) impregnated jacket. I've got the details somewhere.)

Chris.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

I think the remote handset is entirely passive, and powered from the J1 or J2 box in Wireless Harness 'B' (soft-skinned vehicles) or the equivalent in AFVs. (I must sort my library into some kind of order; I can't find the appropriate manuals at the moment.) The buzzer or other tone generator is in the J1 control box (from memory).

WD1 is identical to D10 cable. (D9 never made it into service, I can't remember exactly why, but suspect the insulation wasn't robust enough, and why D10 had a protective outer layer of Nylon over the PVC. The earlier telephone cables (D1 to D8) were a cloth-covered rubber insulated type, with wax (Ozokerite?) impregnated jacket. I've got the details somewhere.)

Chris.

I know a fast way to dull any knife is to try to cut WD1 wire! And yes, I think it was the J1 box on the C42. It's been a long time since I had to remember those designations!

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

I know a fast way to dull any knife is to try to cut WD1 wire! And yes, I think it was the J1 box on the C42. It's been a long time since I had to remember those designations!

D10 (or WD1) is four strands of tinned copper and three strands of tinned steel wire as I recall. It's hard to cut even with the approved tools (Pliers, Side-Cutting or Diagonal Nippers - and I can't remember if the Hellerman Jointing Tool had a dedicated cutter built in (I suspect it must have)).

Earlier field cables also had steel strands for strength (and copper for conductivity), and I suspect the change from 5-inch Pliers, Side Cutting to the 8-inch version (that necessitated the issue of a larger "Pouch, Tools, Lineman") was due to the difficulty of cutting the later cables with the lower leverage of the 5-inch ones. (There were also pliers with replaceable cutting jaw inserts at one point!)

Chris. (I remember making the (time consuming) "bound-in" joints, and having to insulate the thing with fabric tape, then waterproof the whole bodge with self-amalgamating rubber tape. I also remember the "Self-Soldering sleeves" that were quicker to use but not as robust. The Hellerman crimp sleeve joints were much faster and more reliable.)