3 ms·

Unrelated, but I highly recommend anyone visiting Seattle check out the Connections Museum, open on Sundays only. It has several different genuine analogue and

Unrelated, but I highly recommend anyone visiting Seattle check out the Connections Museum, open on Sundays only. It has several different genuine analogue and early digital telephone exchange frames saved from being scrapped from genuine telephone exchanges. They turn them on and you can actually call from one phone to another inside the museum. The museum itself actually shares a building with a real telephone exchange. Lots of old books, technical journals and schematics too. I just thought to post this since when I visited in September, some actual retired telecoms engineers were part of the tour group. One had been involved in the development of submarine cable technology.

jonathankoren 3y ago
I recently discovered their YouTube channel, and it is absolutely fascinating. https://youtube.com/@ConnectionsMuseum https://youtube.com/@ConnectionsMuseum
Aloha 3y ago
Technically only the not yet functional DMS-10 is digital, everything else is analog. The 3ESS is a stored program, computer controlled analog switch - it uses the same remreed technology the 1AESS used to set up call links. Out of all of those however, panel is my favorite however, it sounds amazing to listen to, both the equipment and what the line sounds like. A call between a panel and the number 1 xbar sounds amazing, nothing quite sounds like revertive pulse signaling. Interestingly enough, there were three switches made that used RP internally - Panel, 7A Rotary and 1XBAR - and if you go find video of the 7A Rotary, you'll see it sounds almost exactly like panel, because the unique sounds of the rotary sequence switches both exchanges use.
Solvency 3y ago
Is the fact that the museum isn't available 85% or the week intentional irony or something?
- 93po 3y ago
  It's all unpaid volunteers, and I think the museum is free if i recall correctly
93po 3y ago
I will second this. It's super cool and the volunteers there love showing people stuff and have lots of enthusiasm for it

jonathankoren 3y ago

I recently discovered their YouTube channel, and it is absolutely fascinating. https://youtube.com/@ConnectionsMuseum https://youtube.com/@ConnectionsMuseum

Aloha 3y ago

Technically only the not yet functional DMS-10 is digital, everything else is analog. The 3ESS is a stored program, computer controlled analog switch - it uses the same remreed technology the 1AESS used to set up call links. Out of all of those however, panel is my favorite however, it sounds amazing to listen to, both the equipment and what the line sounds like. A call between a panel and the number 1 xbar sounds amazing, nothing quite sounds like revertive pulse signaling. Interestingly enough, there were three switches made that used RP internally - Panel, 7A Rotary and 1XBAR - and if you go find video of the 7A Rotary, you'll see it sounds almost exactly like panel, because the unique sounds of the rotary sequence switches both exchanges use.

Solvency 3y ago

Is the fact that the museum isn't available 85% or the week intentional irony or something?

93po 3y ago
It's all unpaid volunteers, and I think the museum is free if i recall correctly

93po 3y ago

I will second this. It's super cool and the volunteers there love showing people stuff and have lots of enthusiasm for it