Wanted: Identification of artefact

[Robert Bergeron]

How about we give poor Terry a break of the Bob’s . I thought of posting this in the wireless section but it is wired . So we have two orphans : Terry and ringer . Anyone here know a Jimmy who could help me with this piece of kit ? Then we will have Bobs , a Terry and a Jimmy .

[chris vickery]

Frank vR? He’s a Comms guy.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Chris you helped me find a Jimmy . Frank you there ?

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

How about we give poor Terry a break of the Bob’s . I thought of posting this in the wireless section but it is wired . So we have two orphans : Terry and ringer . Anyone here know a Jimmy who could help me with this piece of kit ? Then we will have Bobs , a Terry and a Jimmy .

My brother's name is Robert/Robin/Rob/Bob so I can participate as an Honourary Bob...

[Jesse Browning]

The US field phone and switchboards had a similar arrangement for the headset plug.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

My brother's name is Robert/Robin/Rob/Bob so I can participate as an Honourary Bob...

Sounds to me like you missed it by one place on the birth order.

Robert is an old German name that means “bright fame.” It's taken from the old German name Hrodebert. The name is made up of two elements: “Hrod” which means fame and “Beraht” which means bright. The name was introduced to the people of England by the Normans in the middle ages.

[Jesse Browning]

Headphone jack.

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks Tony , Chris & Jesse . We have collectively determined it’s a Lineman’s tool called a ringer . It is basicly a magneto to produce current . I introduced two wires in the side holes and turned the crank . Ouch ! I was shocked . That’s what gave me the idea of using the volmeter . 4-5 Volts . I will try a few different plugs next week as Jesse suggests it may be a common plug from another piece of kit like a standard or a phone . So the ringer rings the bell on a field phone connected down the line to find and correct a fault . What other application could this be used for ? This is just my two Bob’s but we have at least 4 .

[Jesse Browning]

Headset plug.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Ah, the mistake was using the voltmeter on the DC ranges. The magneto generator in a field phone typically puts out 70 - 120 volts at around 19Hz (voltage and frequency will depend on load and how fast you crank it).

It's enough to give you quite a 'belt' if you're not expecting it - or even if you are.

It may be an accessory for early switchboards that used buzzer calling to allow them to be used with magneto telephones. (Or just to ring a bell (or bells) somewhere, e.g. on a rifle range.) The sockets are probably for standard 1/4" jack plugs (2 conductor type), as used of Switchboard U.C. and earlier types.

Best regards,
Chris.

[Bob Phillips]

I am kind of with Chris on this, maybe it would be worth carefully pulling off one side for a peek at the innards. IT WOULD be interesting to see, and by now you have whipped up a frenzy of curiosity in the peanut gallery!! Besides, I would hate to have you plug in a headset and accidently give yourself shock therapy!

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

... It is basicly a magneto to produce current . I introduced two wires in the side holes and turned the crank . Ouch ! I was shocked. That’s what gave me the idea of using the voltmeter. 4-5 Volts . .... This is just my two Bob’s but we have at least 4 .

And how many years of higher education did you complete? Ah, Bob! You know that the best humour is when you laugh at yourself!

[Robert Bergeron]

OK , ok , i will tear it apart tomorrow to show you the insides . Terry , yes it was stupid but an inquisitive mind has no limits …..Only an officer would do such a stupid thing. Might as well put my tongue on the poles …. .