[GreenKeys] Fwd: Re: The demise of Western Union and its services

[wa2hwj@att.net]

E.F.Johnson made some of the first cell site transceivers for AT&T/Bell Labs 
for the celllar system trials in Chicago in the late 70's. I'm not sure if 
they ever did build any cellular phones (OKI got the big contract with
AT&T). 

As far as Bell Labs...they are still trying to be innovative..I am working 
with them on a project right now (wireless data) and they are very responsive. 
I worked there in early 1990 and it was an amazing place to work in. The 
problem at the time is that they didn't know which technology to go after 
first...they did make a good decision to go with CDMA, but other things such 
as cable TV and so on dragged the whole company down...hello LUCENT!

Jack WA2HWJ
> At 06:48 PM 2/25/03 -0800, you wrote:
> 
> >>1982
> >>
> >>
> >>Western Union acquires E F Johnson Company, manufacturer of cellular 
> >>telephone equipment.
> 
> Hm, the same EF Johnson hams know and love?
> 
> Short story, in 1986 a Johnson Viking Invader 2000 came into my shack and it
> needed some repairs due to water damage from where it was stored.  I called
> Johnson from a pay phone and they just mailed a schematic gratis, just like 
> that.
> Amazing.  Almost as amazing as the time a BurrBrown salesman send out
> a free sample chip to fix a lightning damaged 1200 baud modem. Seek and ye
> shall find.
> 
> --Chuck
> 
> 
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