1970/1980 Code-a-Phone and DUOFONE Answering Machines

[@singletona082]

Oh cool speak n spell got a job answering phones.

[@stvlu733]

This tape mechanism reminds me of a musical instrument called the Melotron which work on a spring loaded tape. It would be cool if you could show one in action.

[@asn413]

i love those things!

[@Damaniel3]

I spent my high school years working at a store that rented videos and sold refurbished phone equipment (weird combo, but the owners were former Bell System employees), and since Ford Industries was headquartered here (Portland, OR) at the time they were made, they had and sold a ton of refurbished Code-a-phones. They used a pair to handle after-hours callers (one for the rental side, one for the phone side), and the same units had been in use for nearly 20 years at the time I stopped working there.

[@w8nwo]

Nice presentation. Thank you for documenting these rather obscure answering machines. And thanks for the shout out, too!

[@databits]

You’re welcome!

[@singinglawnchair]

6:07 * The 8 Bit Guy has entered the chat *

[@channelwoodgrange]

The narrator from Gauntlet got a second job! Good for him. I've never seen such bravery! "No one is available to answer your call right now, but remember: don't shoot the food!"

[@MrRcCam]

Code-A-Phone 333 Switch Details: 1. The rear panel "C/A" (Cancel/Accumulate) switch was for remote message access. The Cancel mode erased messages after remote listening, Accumulate retained the messages. 2. The "RU Delay" switch was the RingUp Delay function, which counted rings before answering. Early units had a POT (variable resistor), later designs had a rotary switch. 3. The FTO/VC was the Fixed Timeout/Voice control switch. FTO limited incoming messages to 30 seconds long, VC recorded as long as the caller spoke, then hung up after 8 seconds of silence or steady dial tone. 4. CPC Dis Time switch was Calling Party Control Disconnect Time. The CPC was a phoneline signal (current interruption) that would signal the caller hung up, which told CPC equipped devices to hang up. The CPC pulse varied, depending on the central office. This switch was set for the best operation at the installed location. Notes: The available switch functions and location depended on PC Board version. Not all releases had the switches seen in your video. All of your front panel lever switches are missing the decorative chrome knobs. The memo switch has a safety lock; requires pressing down, then pull forward. AC Power Supply: On early models the AC wall supply voltage was a very large 13.5VAC design (p/n ACC-322). Later models used a smaller 13.5VAC design (ACC-386). These have AC voltage outputs, not DC. PCB POTs: The four POTs (adjustable resistors) on the circuit board were: Record Bias, Voice Control Sensitivity, Amp Gain, and Remote Coder Frequency. Remote Control Hand Held Coder: The battery operated remote coder (not shown) was a small handheld unit with a speaker. While away from the office, the user held it against the mic on the telephone and pressed a button after the machine's announcement played. The audible sound the coder produced was available in 6 different frequencies ranging from 850Hz to 1675Hz. This tone was interrupted (modulated) by a 20Hz rate, which gave it a uniquely pleasant warble sound. The coder frequency was matched to the machine (models 333 and 555 only). A number (1-6) printed on the bottom of the unit will indicate the required matching coder (which must have the same number stamped on it). The Code-a-phone TRI Series (222 / 333 / 555) machines were produced over several years, starting in the mid 1970's. Early machines used USA made mechanics and TTL logic chip based circuit boards. Towards the end of the 1970's they switched to a Microprocessor based design with lower quality "metric" (asian made) mechanics. The "metric decks" experienced ongoing quality issues. Code-A-Phone was a brand produced by Ford Industries, Inc. NOT affiliated to the Ford Motor Corp. Code-A-Phone (Ford Industries) was owned by Roseburg-Lumber Company in Oregon. Perhaps the wood end panels on the Code-A-Phone cabinet came from their saw mills. The Code-A-Phone 333 sold in the 1970's for about $500 USD ($2500 in 2022 dollars). The similar looking 222 (non-remote model) was about $400. The top-of-line 555 model (more advanced remote functions) sold for about $700. They were marketed for business use due to the high cost.

[@frankowalker4662]

I loved the intro. LOL. The Ford machine is very interesting. Clever use of springs.

[@KurisuYamato]

So, you're not going to help Bob at all? Jokes aside, awesome look at these two beauties. Gotta say that spring rewind for the announce tape of the FORD machine was really awesome, if a little rough I'd imagine on the tape!

[@databits]

Appreciate the comments! Yeah, I got Bob a truck. :)

[@Madness832]

The only cool answering machine, that I have left, is the Sony TAM-50. This is a hybrid machine -- digital chip for outgoing; microcassette for incoming. Not sure if its exact age, but the manual is copyrighted 1992.

[@jeepguy95]

Jordan U. on KZbin has a video of the next model up in the RadioShack DuoFone lineup: the TAD-252. The TAD-252 has a few additional features, which include the ability to record your own greeting.

[@moritzm.3671]

What I always found very interesting about tape based answering machines is that they allow you to remove the recordings. Most digitals I've seen didn't have this feature.

[@chrisa2735-h3z]

When you left a message on the Ford you sounded like one of the Animaniacs I absolutely love that!!🤣🤣🤪

[@TheChipmunk2008]

CPC Disc probably refers to calling party clear disconnect time... Basically how long it waits before assumingng they've gone. Or alternatively it may be setting the type of signal from the phone system. Typically a short disconnection or a polarity reversal when they hang up.

[@Jimmyhaflinger]

here in italy we have some cool answering machines, the "liliphon" from the 60s based on a loose loop of 2" tape much like some tape echo systems, and we had the ansafone mark 7 from the 70s which is a big heavy reel to reel machine built almost to military standards

[@audiodood]

That code-a-phone looks awesome

[@johnathin0061892]

On the bright side, it is a step up from Ashen's violin. Needs a "talk like a fool" key though.

[@TMNT39]

The "outtake" of that video is to this day my favorite ashens video (and I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that) That video kills me everytime without fail

[@johnathin0061892]

@@TMNT39 Same here! Poor Ashen almost passed out from laughing!

[@tilmanluther1887]

My great aunt used to have an answering machine that sounded like this thing.bringsbakc memories

[@joearnold6881]

Well, it’s nice to see that the Speak & Spell voice actor got more work.

[@VincentVader]

I had one of the 1st tapeless digital answering machines back in the mid 90s. Probably still have it somewhere.

[@ACBMemphis]

Very interesting design! Looks like the beep on the outgoing message is generated rather than saved on the tape, which begs the question does your outgoing message have to be exactly 30 seconds? (That spring was getting awfully close to hitting the axle...) I once had an old "Cobra" brand answering machine that played the entire OGM tape, regardless of message length, and the beep was recorded on the tape. So, in a moment of high school fun, I replaced the beep with a sound effect and said "Please leave your message at the sound of the burp!" Anyway cool video as always!

[@MrRcCam]

Code-A-Phone 333's outgoing announcement length was variable, up to 28 secs. Beep tone was electronic, announcement length was set by a cam operated switch that was mechanically positioned when the record lever was released.

[@MaxBrauns]

That absolute Unit - of a - phone! Cant believe that an ebay seller shipped that vintage machine without any packing material and cant believe it survived the trip!

[@databits]

Yes!! I'll post a photo of the box in the Community section. A miracle.

[@DanielleWhite]

This got me thinking about the one my parents had in the early 1980s. It used full size cassettes though I think the outgoing message was on and endless loop cassette. The main thing I remember was that it would often pick up because of nearby lightning and record a few seconds of dial tone each time.

[@The700XXrider]

Kind of odd they didn't just use a clock spring for that auto rewind.

[@coolelectronics1759]

lol the intro you know what they say: "Wonderful sound strange shape"

[@BBC600]

I personally think it would be interesting to hear (if they made any) Duophone models with announcements in other languages such as French.

[@firewalker1372]

Not going to lie, that opening was rather annoying.... 😂 😂. I live 4 hours south of Atlanta. I really want to drive up there and punch someone in the arm for this product 😂. Curious if the Ford industry machine has any relevance to Ford motor company. Another great video, keep up the great work dude.

[@BBC600]

I too wonder that about Ford

[@AaronOfMpls]

Given the different logo, it was probably started by someone _else_ named Ford.

[@AureliusR]

Depending on the power supply inside, you might actually be able to run stuff like this on DC. If the power jack goes straight into a rectifier and then to a regulator, you can just find a DC adapter that is roughly 1.414x the voltage of the AC adapter and it will work fine. However, if the input goes into a transformer, definitely do not use DC as you'll probably wreck the input side of the transformer.

[@asn413]

does the 80s in3 have anything like the Ti voice chips from the speak and spell? sounds similar

[@coondogtheman]

The audio quality isn't bad for rim drive mechanism. Those are usually not the best quality due to wow and flutter.

[@ramakrishnamishra8179]

Awesome

[@vercetii1]

It's just me or Databits looks like the lead singer of Eresure?

[@AEIOUY234689]

What happened with the original thumbnail for this and the previous video?

[@alec4672]

I hope Bob is okay

[@rajubhaikondhiya8928]

✔✔✔🙏