I called a car phone from 1946...sort of maybe

At a car show last weekend (3/19/22) in Marietta, GA I ran across something a little different and want some opinions on how this might work. This gentleman had a 1946 Ford and in it was a working Bell radio car system from the same year. The odd thing was it was working, you could call it with a modern phone and he could answer and talk to you. Whether it was some trick phone with modern tech or what I do not know. He said it was original but would the magician give up his trick?
Link to old Bell Systems video about radio phones
• 1940s BELL TELEPHONE "...

[@psgflier]

He's probably using a Ham radio-radio relay set-up. Retro fitted the old radio to ham 2 meter. Lots of radio-relay set-ups around and setting up a radio to route through a phone or computer is pretty common. There used to be a marine operator system all along the coastal areas. You could call a marine operator on a marine radio and make a phone call. It was a duplex system so one side was on one frequency and the other on another. Got a lot of entertainment listening in on conversations after being on the fishing grounds for a few weeks. You could only hear one side of the conversation unless you had two radios. It was pretty handy when away from shore or in remote areas, but cell phones killed it.

[@theeddies]

I need to get in touch with him. I think your suggestion or a VOIP system are most likely. Honestly, talking to the guy for a few minutes I could see him being into either tech or both as a hobby.

[@AaronEngineering]

G'day Eddie. I did watch this on the television when you uploaded it, but couldn't comment. That car phone is absolutely amazing. I think he might be pulling our leg, as this would have been old analogue system. Very well narrated and thoroughly explained by you mate. I learnt something today. Cheers, Aaron.

[@theeddies]

Yeah he was having everyone on. He won't return my call, lol.

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday Eddie, either way his done this is still a awesome phone, I honestly didn’t know this technology was around in the 40’s, thanks for sharing mate, cheers

[@theeddies]

Hey Matty, I had seen old movies with "phones" in the cars but just assumed they were just radios, this was quite the complex system and very expensive at the time. All the best!

[@CAMPGMAY]

we super dig the Eddies New sub and fans from Nor Cal Cheers G

[@theeddies]

Thanks Gmay, back at ya!

[@MRrwmac]

I remember those and as you said it was a “radio phone” with an operatoer to make the connections. I wouldnt think that service is being provided anymore either.

[@theeddies]

Agreed, it has to be a gag with cell tech somehow.

[@elanman608]

My guess would be that he has re-tuned the equipment to work on a ham radio frequency and built a base station connected to his home phone. Though I couldn't see any sign of a VHF aerial on the car in your shots.

[@theeddies]

That is a good point. If he were using ham equipment, you would think there would be some sort of rather large antenna. There was not even the antenna on the roof like in the old Bell video.

[@Steviegtr52]

I'm sure they sell a kit that fits old phones . Like you say there is no exchange for the old PTT talk systems any more. Good prank though. Loved the MGB V8 roadster. I never did make one. It was a will do one day that never happened. Thanks for the video. Steve.

[@theeddies]

Hello Steve, the Roadster is around at nearly all the shows I go to, usually the only Brit car there. I think he was in the British Car only show that I filmed last year sometime. Nice guys and very nice car. And yes the car phone guy was playing the prank up. He had business cards printed for the entertainment value.

[@thinkandrepent3175]

Some HAM tranceiver units have some crazy adapters like internet maybe VoIP?, I'm sure it could be done that way.

[@theeddies]

I wondered about ham radios if that was possible. Interesting idea. Thanks!

[@sigurasg]

An easy way to rig this up would be to use a VoIP adapter. This gives you a POTS outlet wherever you can bring a bit of DC power and a data connection. The phone then just plugs into the POTS outlet, these adapters are still compatible with the ring voltage needed for a 50s phone. To make a call from the phone he might also need a pulse to DTMF adapter. The data would most easily come through an LTE network adapter, so cell service. Nice gag though.

[@theeddies]

That does sound like a fairly easy thing to setup. Sounds like just using the phone as a dum terminal. And like you say "nice gag" to get get attention at a judged show, lol.

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Eddie, I don't know who it works but it is pretty cool...If you find out please let us know. Cheers. Paul,,

[@theeddies]

Thanks for reminding me Paul. I need to try to call him today being the weekend, he might answer. All the best! Eddie

[@wktodd]

I thought I'd just replied to this? Anyway..? I've seen adapters for 1980's car phones , that use cell phone mechanism. If it was duplex then i guess he's using something similar. I suppose he could have an automated base station locally to do the rely, but that would require expensive radio spectrum that may not be available these days.

[@theeddies]

You did. I re-uploaded after a few minutes. Sorry about that. You could read his phone number in the original. So I had to blur it. He at least acted as if it was half duplex. Pushing the button when he talked to me. It was so quick I am not sure if that was necessary or not. I really wish I could have gotten more info but it was too busy. I have tried the number again and it just rings, no voicemail, which is odd. I will try him again this weekend, maybe he will take the car for a drive.

[@johnstrange6799]

What if you're just calling someone's house (whom acts like an operator and) has a radio which transmits to a frequency that he has modified the car unit to receive on?

[@theeddies]

Imagine the wife sitting at home being a switchboard operator every Saturday while hubby runs from show to show playing his joke phone. Dedication to the gag, lol.

[@johnstrange6799]

@@theeddies Remember 'When a Stranger Calls'? "The calls are coming from inside the car!"

[@theeddies]

@@johnstrange6799 Lol, the wife is in the trunk with a switch and lever.

[@machinenutdel6764]

The invention of the mobile phone Ed. One of the worst things that ever happened, " put that sodding phone down when you"re shopping I would like to get through with my trolley, sorry Ed. one of my pet hates, really should be banned ! sorry I walked into you ,I was on the phone ! "Get stuffed " Im guessing you have enough going on with your life not to need a mobile phone. Bastard phones, dont like facebook either ! Phew thats better !

[@theeddies]

Ok grandpa, its a cloud, we get it you can stop yelling now, lol.