Oh, the nostalgia!
In their day these telephones were the "modern" newfangled telephones from Telecom ... no more rotary mechanical dial, no more musical (?) mechanical bells - transistors had come on the scene and in a major development - tone signalling, not the original pulse signals sent to the exchange. Actually this instrument could do either, a "universal" phone if you like.
This particular instrument was used in a small business, the push button on the lower right-hand side is the 'recall' button and the recall function will only work when connected to a small PABX system (push the button, local PABX dial tone is heard, dial a local extension) In all other respects this is a stock standard 809 model telephone from Telecom, manufactured by STC (their factories were located in Alexandria, Sydney) and also AWA (Sydney) had a part to play in the manufacture of these instruments.
Actually, in theory this instrument shouldn't be on the market as Telecom NEVER sold their telephones back in the 1980's - you could only rent a telephone line, pay per call (if outside the local area) and the subscriber never actually owned the instrument ... that's how Telecom made their money!
This subscriber telephone DOES work on the modern NBN network, if your modem has a wired telephone port available. We use the telephone service alongside normal internet and I was easily able to check the operation of the telephone - all is good both outgoing and incoming calls (although I detest the ringer, it is more like a "squawk" than a ring! That's modern technology for you. See my "TESTING" section below for more details about this.
Let's get down to the description of this "plastic jobbie"
TELECOM - Subscriber Telephone Instrument
Model: 809
Special Features:
Recall button fitted (for small business use in conjunction with a local PABX)
Selectable Decadic or DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency) signalling
Push button dialing
Adjustable ringer Volume & Sound (adjust the 'Squawk" to sound different, but it remains a "squawk" - imagine if your hand is around the throat of a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo - it's that sort of squawking! Obviously the design engineers didn't have nice soft musical sounds in mind - this ringer will certainly alert you that someone is calling but a "nice sound"? I think not.
Last number redial function built in
Abbreviated number memory functions, allowing the store of up to 9 different numbers
Pretty "whizz bang" for the late 1980's!
TESTING:
Using our telephone service provided via NBN/TPG at the modem (a SIP service) and with the telephone instrument slide switch set to TONE (underneath). This is very important because if you try to send decadic pulses to your modem it will NOT WORK and nothing sensible will happen. So, with the telephone sending the DTMF tones, I was easily able to make outgoing calls and receive incoming calls without any problems. Checked the special memory functions and last number redial - all working fine but keep in mind that once the instrument is disconnected from the host modem, power is lost and all memory will vanish - you would need to reprogram the instrument.
SPECIAL NOTE: Obviously you need an adaptor lead (which I always keep on hand) that sits between the modem RJ12 port and the instrument Telecom type S810 plug - if you can find one(!), and yes it could be a challenge as most retailers wouldn't even know what you are talking about, it is not difficult to make one up yourself if you are familiar with telephone wiring practices of days gone by.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
The case colouring was officially called Golden Haze, a Yellowish Cream colour. Over time, the colour changes slightly, particularly in areas where cleaning fluids have been used - this was due to a reaction between household cleaners and the plastic used - not sunlight.
NO physical damage to the case or handset and no cracking!
All push buttons operate correctly and the switchhooks do not stick
Handset transmitter mouthpiece and receiver have both been cleaned and sterilised (ISO alcohol fine mist spray) ensuring that any remnants, after 40+ years of use, of "dribbles" or "earwax" are gone!
Line cord is undamaged
Telecom 810 plug (made by AWA) is undamaged and the contacts are clean
Look at that handset curly cord! So often you see these telephones that are offered by folks as having badly damaged handset cords, this one is nice and "curly"
In summary, a nice example of late 1980's telco subscriber equipment - very "Olde World" to have in the home AND stun your friends when you pickup the handset and call their mobile! Watch the jaws drop!
