Now re the general information under the rubric "bush repairs", i think it's somewhat unfortunate young moderns could not encounter what were known as "coin telephones". I remember using one near Green Lake, Seattle, that sounded like its audio
went thru a class-C amplifier. I seem to recall that the hammer treatment only partially remedied this. Nowadays the thought of using some scuzzy pay phone appalls me. Even if wearing examination gloves.
-Hue Miller