More about field phones

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

There are numerous ones out there. The TA-312 is most popular and quite reliable, however they are going up in price and are becoming scarce. There are some foreign military stuff out there as well, German, Russian, Yugo. They usually run off of 2 "D" cell batteries. To hook them up you'll need a 2-1 wire type. Polarities do not matter, range on these are 14 to 22 miles! That's allot of wire.........you can use just two field phones together or you can get a switchboard (SB-22/PT) if you can find one they aren't cheap, maybe $300. They run on "D" cells also if I'm not mistaken. With an SB-22 switchboard you can wire in up to 12 phones.

So if you are thinking of setting up a BOL on a large piece of property or securing a neighborhood, this could be a solution. Your switchboard at your Command center. Field phones at you LP/OPs. set your watches and secure you perimeter.

Here's an example of what you can do:

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/3509/czjo.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/89/czjo.jpg/)

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This has a Yugoslavian TLCi-10 switchboard. But it didn't cost me $300, I found it for $86. Since it came without a handset, I wired a H-60/PT handset and it works just fine. I'm going to replace the surplus 6 pin plug with a commercial one and solder in the whole thing and I'll be down town.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/4946/q5uk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/203/q5uk.jpg/)

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This is a typical USA set up. Hope all this helps anyone who is interested, and answers some questions.

[ElevenBravo]

Correct me if Im wrong, which happens once in a while.. a great while.. but the switchboard is optional, you can tie several in on a closed loop and still work the units.

Only, when you pulse up... ALL phones will ring. AKA party line.

What say thee?


Its been just a few months (err... years) since I set some up, and I was a grunt and not in commo (but I envied those guys, had a pretty good field life... like chitting in buckets with seats while we had to dig cat holes, etc.. etc.. etc..)

EB

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

No, you're right, you don't have to get a switchboard. You can wire them in series if I remember correctly. And Yes they will all ring at the same time and "YES" it's a party!
It took some digging but here's the link with all the other links and manuals for free, grab them while you can and stash'em! This covers the TA-312's Operation and maintenance. Also some basic other shit. Have at it.

http://radionerds.com/index.php?title=TA-312/PT

[Echo2]

I would love to have a SB-22 for our retreat....we have 9 TA-312s....but I can use the $600 for something better...like ammo...:)

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

I have yet to see another Yugo switchboard but I'll keep my eye out. $600 seems pretty damn steep did you check with that website I posted? See if Pete has one. Just a thought.

http://www.signalcenter.com/

[Echo2]

Yup...the last 2 to show their head on ebay were between $500 and $700....:(

- - - Updated - - -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIGNAL-CORPS-MILITARY-SURPLUS-SB-22-TELEPHONE-SWITCHBOARD-RADIO-FIELD-PHONE-PRC-/270901001680?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f12f53dd0

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

I checked with him last night and......yup. $600+$50 shipping. Here's a quote of what he said.

"Currently I have 18 SB-22's. 15 of them are complete and operational. The other three I use for parts. I sell them complete with a Brand New Headset (extra new ear cushions). My first three years with the 82nd ABN at Fort Bragg I fixed these, as well as field telephones. The other remaining 17 years of my 20 year career as a Signal Corps Officer, I used all this equipment in my military signal job supporting many combat units in Vietnam, Europe, and stateside.

I've sold about 8 of them the past 2 years without any issues afterwards. There isn't a complete one being sold on EBAY. It's always "as is" or "not tested." I sell them for $ 600.00 plus 50.00 shipping. I end up fixing many that were bought on EBAY and invariable ends up costing the owner close to or more than $600.00.

It takes me about a week to prepare one for shipping; it would be costly to have one returned for issues, so it's to my vested interest to be very meticulous in preparing one for sale."

But still.........$600! I feel like I stole my YUGO!

At's all I know, I picked up some more extra parts from him last night. Stuff to stash and needful things like another RL-39 harness kit so I can hook it into the reels of wire I have and feed and rewind with ease.

[Echo2]

At a local swap meet....I did manage to score 4 rolls of 2 lead wire....1500 meters per spool.....English mfg....green spools.

[Stormfeather]

Ive got a few TA312's and as a few folks here know, been on the lookout for a few more. Theres a guy in Vietnam that sells them on ebay, but damn the shipping costs suck! Every now and then a pair or a single comes up for sale, and I think I have a few other sites that deal with them, will check my links.

[Fidel MD]

Wired field phones are cool....I have some TA312's, a few TA1;s, and a couple of EE8's - two with leather (original WWI era) cases, some with canvas (WWII) cases. And a SB-22. There is an expansion pack available for the SB22 that allows you to hook multiple switchboards together and have a bigger network.

When we built our place we pulled WD-1/TT wire to various places, along with extra phone wire, which can be used also (just pick a pair of colors).

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Sounds like like planned well in advance, keep a lid on it, OPSEC my brother, OPSEC.......There are many uses for the generators in them thar phones too I might add...........snicker, snicker.....

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Ive got a few TA312's and as a few folks here know, been on the lookout for a few more. Theres a guy in Vietnam that sells them on ebay, but damn the shipping costs suck! Every now and then a pair or a single comes up for sale, and I think I have a few other sites that deal with them, will check my links.


Here's what signalcenter.com is selling them for and again I'm quoting Pete:

"TA-312/PT's for 90.00 with carrying case and straps, security light, U184 lamp, and users manual. Plus 12.35 shipping."

I'm not advertising for this guy but at least he's American, a retired VET, and trying to make a living.

Might I add, we did get a pair from Israel $41+$70 shipping! I had to do repairs on those and they didn't come with anything, we did take a big chance with those.