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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: Pixel_Outlaw on Fri, 04 June 2010, 00:56:27

Title: Turning an old phone into a computer interface?
Post by: Pixel_Outlaw on Fri, 04 June 2010, 00:56:27

Does anyone know if it is possible to turn an old phone into a computer device since the handset both sends signals and receives them? In my current sleep deprived state it seems like a really funny idea to use a real phone handset to communicate over Skype and such. I'm talking about scrounging up an old 1950's phone, detaching it from the base and soldering it some 3.5mm jacks. Would this work or is there some missing components that would ruin my fun?

Title: Turining an old phone into a computer interface?
Post by: majestouch on Fri, 04 June 2010, 01:07:34

You can just hook one of these up to an old phone:

http://www.grandstream.com/products/ht_series/ht286/ht286.html

Or you can tear the innards of the phone out and then stuff that little guy inside.

EDIT: believe these only work for tone dialing.

Title: Turining an old phone into a computer interface?
Post by: Pixel_Outlaw on Fri, 04 June 2010, 01:16:36

I thought about one of those YUBZ phones but it appears that they got some rather negative reviews on Amazon.

Title: Turining an old phone into a computer interface?
Post by: Brian8bit on Fri, 04 June 2010, 10:30:54

(http://kujo.cs.pitt.edu/images/thumb/1/11/Coupler.jpg/800px-Coupler.jpg)

Title: Turining an old phone into a computer interface?
Post by: Pixel_Outlaw on Fri, 04 June 2010, 10:36:51

Now THAT is impressive.
I imagine you can touch all the circuits while the power is surging through them too?

Title: Turining an old phone into a computer interface?
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 04 June 2010, 10:43:46

Nice acoustic coupler modem!  After using our TI 99/4A for a few years we got our first "real" computer when the 80286 was released.  It had an internal modem (I think 1200baud).  Though internal modems were "cooler" and better devices, I was disappointed it wasn't like the one in War Games.  Though  I think it was even outdated when War Games was released in 83.

(http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o270/Zappanose/wargames1.jpg)

Title: Turining an old phone into a computer interface?
Post by: chimera15 on Mon, 07 June 2010, 19:10:45

Yeah, I always wanted an acoustic modem like in war games. lol  What's that one that looks hacked with the red phone do?  I don't think there's a way to fit them into a modern role now?