Telephones... then and now

[kcflhrc]

You just cant throw VOIP products on any old crappy network and expect it to work properly. Hardwired networks are still the preferred method and in some instances the only method accepted. We still have several Norstars in the field working. If you can keep lightning and power surges out of them it's not uncommon for them to run flawlessly for 20+ years. The PBX's are just about as bullet proof. Nortel kinda fell behind when VOIP started and I think ultimately contributed to their downfall. It was painful doing VOIP on Nortel in the beginning.

 

[hawkeye08]

I mentioned Skype for Business earlier, the biggest issues users have with it is WiFi connections (sometimes it just won't work) and satellite internet. I think the latency kills it... I am amazed how well it works with all the variables out there...

When building out a new environment, it is easier to design and build it right... but let's face it, many environments already exist in some fashion and have limited budgets to upgrade, so it seems to be a compromise always (budget vs done right)... a few Netflix watchers can bring down a normally stable network...

 

[r porter]

i can remember these clacking away in the office dad worked in when i was a kid. one of the fellows he worked with tried to teach me code but i never quite picked it up.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have a telegraph set from Scouting... we would string wire and practice Morse Code...

 

[k0ua]

I have a telegraph set from Scouting... we would string wire and practice Morse Code...

copying clicks from a sounder and that old j38 or even a buzzer like you probably had with your boy scout "rig" is pretty tough compared to copying modern pure audio tones from a radio. I have tried copying the "clicks" from a sounder on old movies, and I cannot do it. Plus the fact that many of the characters are different in the old Railroad code than the modern version as used over radio. I can copy about 18 Words Per Minute in conversation, and maybe a bit faster if it is callsigns or signal reports, but I am no speed demon like some guys that can easily copy 40 WPM all day.

I have an old navy key like this that I rarely use (Just for Straight Key Nite in December) but mostly I use my Bencher Chrome Iambic paddles like these.

Wow! I noticed the Chrome paddles are up to $169 now. I gave $25 for mine.

 

[Ford850]

I thought of this thread when I saw the following article. "Verizon workers can now be fired if they fix copper phone lines"
Verizon workers can now be fired if they fix copper phone lines | Ars Technica

 

[k0ua]

I thought of this thread when I saw the following article. "Verizon workers can now be fired if they fix copper phone lines"
Verizon workers can now be fired if they fix copper phone lines | Ars Technica

It seems pretty clear that Verizon is trying to abandon their copper plant. Of course it is easy for them to transition to wireless service as that is their money making end of the business. Maintaining copper plant is a loser for them. The handwriting is on the wall people. If you are a telco cable splicer, your days are numbered. And they are small numbers..

 

[kcflhrc]

I don't see copper going away, at least for my area for a very, very long time. But all I do is fiber now so I really don't care. In the major cities, sure. But in the small rural towns we service we will be fixing that copper cable for years to come. I'm referring to towns under 10k residents. Technology is still being developed to utilize copper more efficiently so it will be a while for us. With CAF2 and fiber to the node that is about all we are doing with a few exceptions if 8 FTP Subdivisions. Give me 10 more years, that's all I ask.

 

[ultrarunner]

Some of the copper in the cites... at least where I bought my first home is circa 1922.... this is when the 300 home subdivision was built...

Amazing that it will soon be 100 years old... but then so is my 30 amp 120v knob and tube house service for 3 bedrooms 1150 square feet... one 20 amp fuse for plugs and one 15 amp for lights...

Minimum new service is 100 amp 220v

 

[ultrarunner]

Just to point out 33 years ago today in 1983 the first commercial cell phone call was made with a Motorola "Brick" that weighed 2.5 pounds... average cell phone monthly bill back then was $200 and the "Brick" cost around $4,000