8 Apr
2002
8 Apr
'02
6:50 a.m.
Ahh, then my Anderson Jacobson Model A 242A is likely to be
the third generation model. It is interesting to note that
along with the changes in model technology, the handsets on
telephones have changed enough over the years that few will
even still fit properly into the old acoustic couplers any
longer.
--tom
At 10:10 AM 4/8/02 -0400, you wrote:
The wooden ones are the original, 1st generation AJ's, IIRC...
I have the second-generation plastic shell that assembles
with an aluminum "waistband" and allenhead screws. The
third generation used thinner plastic clamshells and no
waistband, just some tapered Philips-head screws. The
3rd generation was also limited to 300 baud, while my
2nd generation could do 450 & 600 using the 300 standard
(Bell 101?).
-dq
-Douglas Hurst Quebbeman (DougQ at ixnayamspayIgLou.com) [Call me "Doug"]
Surgically excise the pig-latin from my e-mail address in order to reply
"The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away." -Tom Waits
This
reminds me, these acoustic couplers may need some periodic
maintenance, such as putting some talcum powder on the rubber pieces
that hold the telephone handset.
I've also seen it recommended for refrigerator door gaskets.
What talcum would do to protect rubberized plastic from
deteriorating is a mystery to me. Are we talking about
actual latex in any of these situations? I think not.
I would guess these rubbers harden or goo-ify over time
due to something other than lack of talc, such as long-term
exposure to UV or ozone or absorption of volatiles from
other plastics.
I have an old Anderson-Jacobsen 300 baud modem in a wooden
box that needs a new home, I think...