Looking for 4-Prong Phone Outlet to Modular Plug

[nr]

Does anyone know where I can find the above? It has a 4-prong phone outlet at one end, a 3" or so modular cord, then a modular plug.

[Jim Redelfs]

You could remove the old jack and install a new, modular outlet (jack) in its place. The wiring is very simple. Good luck.

[hallerb]

On Apr 24, 8:37=EF=BF=BDam, Jim Redelfs wro= te:

Radio shack sold them, although RS cut much of what they sold and jacked up the price a LOT on the little that remains:(

They are basically a toy store these days

[nr]

Yes, that is correct, but that's not my intent. Since I cannot find a switched phone connector (to switch a phone on/off), I want to use the

4-prong setup to accomplish this. Continuously inserting and removing the modular plugs causes the clip part to break off. I will plug the modular plug into a 4-prong adapter, the adapter into the 4-prong outlet which is plugged into the modular jack. I am open to alternatives.

[Terry]

How about a phone with a ringer with an on/off?

[Terry]

I used to buy everything at Radio Shack until I bought a computer from them way way back.

Well.....it took 2 computers. The Coco was ok, but the 1000 soured me to Tandy.

[Mark Lloyd]

RS used to sell a "ring control cord" that was just a fullwave rectifier with a DPDT bypass switch.

I have several old VCRs, and I don't use videotape much at all. I do have a couple of those VCRs in use as TV tuners. One costs a lot less than something that's JUST a tuner.

[Mark Lloyd]

I have a Uniden (TRU9480) that came with 3 handsets, and claims to allow as many as 10.

[Jim Redelfs]

It sounds SOOOOO simple.

However, many older folks will recall the Western Electric desk and wall telephone that, unless specifically modified by an official Bell technician, could not be silenced without disconnecting the set.

The Bell System knew what it was doing.

Just a week ago I got a call on my company cell (already 30-minutes past quitting time) from the owner of a large, popular "sit-down" restaurant. She had been calling the restaurant all day but getting "nothing". As it turned out, the caller would hear the line ringing but there was never an answer.

Being AT the Central Office when I took her urgent call, I "shoed" the pair (metered the cable pair with the C.O. battery disconnected) and it looked good.

I drove the few miles to the PACKED restaurant and walked into the main dining room with my tool-belt slung over my shoulder. The two, middle-aged hostesses were overjoyed to see me.

I reached over to the Trimline-style cheapie chirper phone and grabbed the handset. The dialtone was just fine. I then grabbed the base/cradle of the set and turned ON the ringer switch. It had been off. "Trouble" fixed.

[Terry]

We were called out to an office one time. They had no lights. I talked to the guy that called us. He showed me the area where the lights were not working. He said they were always on, but were off when he came in that morning.

Walked to the switch.....click.....problem solved.

[nr]

You are correct, but that won't serve my purpose. I want to use the 4- prongs to allow me to easily disconnect the connection, since I can't find a modular cable with a switch on it (anyone know of one?). Removing and inserting a modular plug will damage the plastic clip. Removing the 4-prong plug from it's jack does no damage. So, I am trying to find a 4-prong jack with a modular plug.

[Stormin Mormon]

Toggle switch to break the red wire.

If you post your real question (need), you're more likely to get answers you can use.

[Stormin Mormon]

Any electrician can put a switch that breaks the red wire.

[mm]

I thought they sold modular cords, with modular plugs on each end, with switches on them, close to one end, to turn off the phone.

If not, just use the modlular plug, and when the tab breaks off, replace it. They sell cutter/crimper/pliers for this purpose for about

10 dollars I think for the plastic version which works well enough, and they sell the little clear plastic connectors at 10 for 4? dollars.

Just note which way the wire is before cutting off the old plug. Is black on the left or the right when the tap side is up. Don't just hold the wire in place, because if you let go of the wire it will flip over.

I think the cheap crimper I have will do both 4 and 6 wires plugs, and I know it will do phone line plugs as well as the cord between the phone and the handset. Those plugs are a little bit harder to find, but not that hard.

[hallerb]

being a service tech myself its amazing the wierd troubles that occur.

had one lady dump all the toner out of her copier twice to clean it she didnt like dirt....... although that black dirt is what made the copies.....

[Jim Redelfs]

A double-pole switch, to open BOTH sides of the pair, should be used to eliminate an unbalanced condition. (Hum on line)

[Jim Redelfs]

A great idea, but I don't recall ever seeing such a critter.

The crimper is a great idea. I bought a plastic cheapie that pressed perhaps a dozen plugs before one of the handles broke while being squeezed. I went to the local Graybar Electric and bought a "real" (metal) crimper, along with a bag of RJ11 plugs and the smaller, handset-size plugs (dunno the USOC).

In the POTS world (Plain Old Telephone Service), pair polarity is a virtual non-issue these days - and hasn't been important for years. This, of course, applies ONLY to a "base cord" that delivers a POTS line to a device.

Maintaining proper alignment is always best in any case.

Don't squeeze it too hard. I suspect I used more force than necessary when my plastic tool broke in my hand.

There are many that use the smaller-plugged, COILED handset cord to run from the jack/outlet on the wall to the base of the phone. It makes a VERY loose fit and is prone to trouble, but it does work - usually.

The REAL coup would be to crimp an RJ11 plug onto a coiled handset cord. I believe I have seen such a mutant cord once or twice in my travels. I always thought that such a cord would sell like hotcakes.

[mm]

I'm not sure maybe they never did. I either made on or bought one for my girlfriend. If I made one, it was difficult because of the wires are thin. Regardless she never used the switch after all and threw it back at me when we had an unfriendly breakup. It's in the next room if I can only find it.

It pays to be weak. I have that going for me. Girls like it too, but usually only the stronnnng ones. :(

I think once, I couldn't find the little ones, so I used a wide one and sanded it off at each side to fit. I think it was still a bit too wide, but I was afraid the thing would fall apart if I kept sanding.

And in another case, in my bathroom, I have a handset that plugs right into a wall jack. So I clipped off the little plug and put on a wide one. On the wall plate is a switch to answer the phone with, a neon light to show me when it is ringing, a switch to turn off the beeper with, and a beeper so I can hear when it is ringing (although that worked on the test bench and hasn't worked since. Hmmm, now I have a cell phone to call myself with so testing would be a lot easier.) I keep the thing dry and answer between rings. So far I'm still alive.

[mm]

That's like washing a typewriter ribbon. I wonder if anyone ever did that.