Hello Everyone,

I'm searching for info on a phone styled intercom for a live show I'm doing
in a few weeks. I hope this is the right place to ask.

The audio guy in the rear of the hall wants to be able to speak to the
backstage folks without having to wear a headset all of the time, as in a
clear com system. Imagine that, he thinks he needs to hear the sound in the
house and he wants to use both ears. A phone styled com with flash to notify
would be ideal, old technology that it is.

Problem is, I can't find one to rent anywhere. I have found little on the
net about models or makers. Telex has some models, but finding them in real
life is another matter.

I'd be pleased to hear from anyone who has clues or suggestions for
alternate methods of acomplishing this task. I've already thought about cell
phones in vibrate and 2 tin cans and a string.

joe

[Scott Dorsey]

captain capstan wrote:

The audio guy in the rear of the hall wants to be able to speak to the
backstage folks without having to wear a headset all of the time, as in a
clear com system. Imagine that, he thinks he needs to hear the sound in the
house and he wants to use both ears. A phone styled com with flash to notify
would be ideal, old technology that it is.

I've always homebrewed this kind of thing. Put two telephones in series
with a 12V lantern battery, then figure out a signalling method. Usually
a relay that triggers when the other phone is off-hook, which lights a light.

You can probably buy something commercial from Dictaphone, but it would
seem more trouble than getting a couple old phones.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Walt]

captain capstan wrote:

I'm searching for info on a phone styled intercom for a live show I'm doing
in a few weeks. I hope this is the right place to ask.

The audio guy in the rear of the hall wants to be able to speak to the
backstage folks without having to wear a headset all of the time, as in a
clear com system. Imagine that, he thinks he needs to hear the sound in the
house and he wants to use both ears. A phone styled com with flash to notify
would be ideal, old technology that it is.

Problem is, I can't find one to rent anywhere. I have found little on the
net about models or makers. Telex has some models, but finding them in real
life is another matter.

You got Clear Com already? Then just add a Clear Com HS-6 telephone
style handset:
http://www.clearcom.com/products/par.../headsets.html

It's what I use whenever I need to mix and be on the horn at the same time.

//Walt

[jakdedert]

captain capstan wrote:
Hello Everyone,

I'm searching for info on a phone styled intercom for a live show I'm doing
in a few weeks. I hope this is the right place to ask.

The audio guy in the rear of the hall wants to be able to speak to the
backstage folks without having to wear a headset all of the time, as in a
clear com system. Imagine that, he thinks he needs to hear the sound in the
house and he wants to use both ears. A phone styled com with flash to notify
would be ideal, old technology that it is.

Problem is, I can't find one to rent anywhere. I have found little on the
net about models or makers. Telex has some models, but finding them in real
life is another matter.

I'd be pleased to hear from anyone who has clues or suggestions for
alternate methods of acomplishing this task. I've already thought about cell
phones in vibrate and 2 tin cans and a string.

joe



Clearcom sells telephone handsets with 'talk' switch built in...direct
replacement for the headset. Just plug it into the standard beltpack.
I believe a standard Bell handset can be adapted to work, as well.

jak

[jakdedert]

Walt wrote:
captain capstan wrote:

I'm searching for info on a phone styled intercom for a live show I'm
doing in a few weeks. I hope this is the right place to ask.

The audio guy in the rear of the hall wants to be able to speak to the
backstage folks without having to wear a headset all of the time, as
in a clear com system. Imagine that, he thinks he needs to hear the
sound in the house and he wants to use both ears. A phone styled com
with flash to notify would be ideal, old technology that it is.

Problem is, I can't find one to rent anywhere. I have found little on
the net about models or makers. Telex has some models, but finding
them in real life is another matter.

You got Clear Com already? Then just add a Clear Com HS-6 telephone
style handset:
http://www.clearcom.com/products/par.../headsets.html

It's what I use whenever I need to mix and be on the horn at the same time.

OOps...didn't read far enough down the thread before answering....

jak

//Walt

[Richard Crowley]

"jakdedert" wrote ...
Clearcom sells telephone handsets with 'talk' switch built in...direct
replacement for the headset. Just plug it into the standard beltpack.

I believe a standard Bell handset can be adapted to work, as well.

Seems unlikely. Clearcom wants a standard mic-level signal as from
a dynamic mic as there is no bias/power for electret except on the
newer models. OTOH, Bell telephone handsets are carbon or
carbon substitutes done with electret mic capsules.

I have the equivalent schematic for the original Clearcom unit on my
website... http://www.rcrowley.com/ComClone/Schematic.htm
I added "R30" to provide bias for electrets, but it is not present in
the original Clearcom design. That "bias" might also work with
carbon, I'll have to try it, but there are likely signal level differences.