[Boatanchors] OT: Western Electric Bell Telco Rotary dial test set, info requested

Sun, 15 Jun 2003 02:58:20 -0400

GM All
Sorry for the cross posting, but I realize that there are a bunch of 
both former WU and MaBell/ Western Electric types out there, who may be 
able to give me some information as to the correct wiring of the old 
rotary linemans test set. (the orange one) .
It does not have one heck of a lot of numerical designators, with the 
exeption of the obligatory "Bell System Property, not for sale, and of 
course, Western Electric"

On the interior, on the front side (the side with the dial) there is a 
number 1013B which appears to be rubber stamped,
and a small paper sticker with what I presume to be either a mfg or 
inspection date of 5-80 (printed) and "F" written>

It appears as if sometime in the past, someone tried to rewire the two 
clip leads, which (natch) are litz wire, and neglected to
put proper spade terminals on the conductors, which I am going to have 
to do.  Inside, there is what in a normal phone would be the matrix, 
which has 3 terminals, marked 1,2, and 3.
The red input lead was connected to terminal #2,  This matrix unit also 
contains the talk/listen pushbutton switch,
and there is a mysterious orange tape covered "black box" with white, 
black, red, and green leads eminating from this mysterious unit.......

I have a suspicious feeling that the input leads were at one time 
crossed, as the "red" input lead goes to  the terminal 2, which has a 
black lead, with a spade lug also attached, and the "black" input lead 
was connected to the "red" lead from the mysterious orange block, which 
connects to the microphone element.

All the passive components, a blue colored resistor?? appears to be open 
with the following indicia printed theron
150R 2028 L4A and 150R repeated. There appears to be a small hole blown 
in the side of this item. It seems, however
that it is blown open,,as I am getting an infinite reading. There is a 
1.0 uf cap, with additional indicia 5960, 1-80. a tolerance of
+/- 10%, and below that the initials WE, HAW,596G and 1-80. This tests 
normally and within tolerance.

Examination of the the switch and the reciever element as well as the 
transmitter element indicate that they are in good shape and working 
normally. the dial, likewise is working normally...

I believe the problem to be the open resistor? as it has a hole blown in 
the side, and since I acquired this without any data, I have absolutely 
no idea of the proper wiring, as I feel the input leads are reversed.

If anyone has any data or a schematic of this test set, I would be 
greatly appreciative of being able to know something about thas as other 
than the one problem it appears in good shape... The only other thing 
missing is the belt clip, so if anyone has one laying about out there, I 
would be interested in obtaining same..

Thanks much for any info which you can provide..... I've only been in 
this electronics biz for 40 years, but have never run across
one of these before that needed any work, and I seriously would like to 
restore it to operating condition..
73 es tnx de Greg WA3IVX/ NNN0BVN

-- 
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
                                                   --Edmund Burke

Greg Moore NNN0BVN PA
U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS)
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