Telephone Networks (and alternate uses for them)

[Olefin]

I have seen old telegraph poles standing by rail lines in the North East and South - are those using analog phone lines or are they still the old telegraph lines?

So given that information Swaghauler the disruption in communications is more the disruption in satellite communications and digital phones - but analog phones would still work (as long as there werent breaks in the phone lines themselves)

that would mean that at least locally and regionally you should be able to still communicate as long as you working analog phones

[Olefin]

so given that information this thread should be called analog telephone networks or communication then - would that be a better description of what I was trying to say as to how communications would be possible even after the TDM?

[swaghauler]

Originally Posted by Olefin

I have seen old telegraph poles standing by rail lines in the North East and South - are those using analog phone lines or are they still the old telegraph lines?

So given that information Swaghauler, the disruption in communications is more the disruption in satellite communications and digital phones - but analog phones would still work (as long as there weren't breaks in the phone lines themselves)

that would mean that at least locally and regionally you should be able to still communicate as long as you working analog phones

The disruption occurs from THREE sources...

1) Fried telephones that got surged when the EMP came down the lines. This partially saves the lines because the telephone "grounds out" the surge. The phone is killed but the line will be spared as a result of this grounding. This is why you are advised to NEVER talk on an analog telephone during a lightning storm. YOU ARE THE GROUND!

2) Loss of grounding in periodic junctures along the line. Since the lines carry a small electric charge to power the phones, there are grounds every so many miles as well as booster stations to keep the current flow steady. These would be "shorted" during a power surge. In fact, they sort of act like "surge suppressors" by channeling excess voltage out of the system to mitigate damage.

3) Switching Stations. These replaced the old "operator system" with computerized switching that allowed you to call regionally or nationally. These stations also contained the power boosters to keep the lines current stable. These would be HEAVILY DAMAGED by EMP due to the number of phone lines coming in and the fact that many switchers were already operating at or above recommended capacities to provide the needed communication services. Here is where the real work would be.

A typical phone system will have one switching/booster substation and perhaps three or four connector boxes (which also act as boosters) in a 10-mile radius. You've probably seen the boxes situated along the road near intersections. They are about 3ft tall by 4ft wide and collect the lines coming from side roads before sending a larger line up the pole they are mounted on
Some have no visible pole because the lines are underground. This commonly done in cities. In fact, cities may place the switching/booster stations and the lines in underground vaults. PGH PA does this as well as Cleveland and Philly.

I hope that helps

Swag.

[swaghauler]

An interesting module or plot could revolve around either trying to "tap" an analog line to listen into enemy comms or capturing (or rebuilding) a switching station to provide commo for your own forces. These could become valuable strategic targets in a high ECM environment.

[swaghauler]

Don't forget the Army's "phone company" either. Some of you may have heard of DISCCOM units. These units had 20ft connex boxes that were set up just like switching stations to manage communications in a Brigade or Group setting. Mobile versions were mounted on 5-Ton Trucks and Hummers. These systems used a human operator but were responsible for managing both "phone traffic" AND radio traffic between large numbers of units. They were also responsible for laying and managing the miles of commo wire that supported large operations. These units could easily connect to civilian phone systems when needed.

[Olefin]

So if I am reading what you are saying correctly basically local service should work as long as you have an analog phone and possible from town to town if they were close together even without repairs. I assume the grounding boxes would be relatively easy to fix versus the switching stations

And if you went back to manual operators you could place longer calls but only with an established network of such operators. If not you would need to replace the computer switching stations for sure to be able to get regional or long distance phone calls working.

Would this be the same for using a telegraph key - ie lower amount of data being transmitted - would that make any difference or in reality it’s the same amount of effort as restoring phone service and thus not really any advantage?

[swaghauler]

Originally Posted by Olefin

So if I am reading what you are saying correctly basically local service should work as long as you have an analog phone and possible from town to town if they were close together even without repairs. I assume the grounding boxes would be relatively easy to fix versus the switching stations

And if you went back to manual operators you could place longer calls but only with an established network of such operators. If not you would need to replace the computer switching stations for sure to be able to get regional or long distance phone calls working.

Would this be the same for using a telegraph key - ie lower amount of data being transmitted - would that make any difference or in reality it’s the same amount of effort as restoring phone service and thus not really any advantage?

Correct. The switching system replaced the old human operators who connected calls into the '80s in some places. Humans can be used to replace the computerized switchers. You could use a TELEX system if you choose to with analog lines. The TELEX is that streaming system that TYPED out messages coming over the phone lines. TELEX paper or "ticker tape" was often thrown out windows during parades. It actually produced text messages before text messages were a thing!

Just remember that analog phones need both a continuous grounded line and a low wattage power source to transmit the messages (verbal or typed). This is WHY there are 2 D-Cell batteries in a field telephone. They provide the power needed to communicate up to 5km with just one phone's power. DISCCOMs can power the equivalent of a city-sized system.

[Olefin]

Opens up all kinds of ideas for adventures to either repair phone lines or get a switchboard back up so that you can restore communications in an area - and of course run into people who might not want that to happen especially if they have a vested interest in keeping people in the dark

[Legbreaker]

One small point. With the computerisation/automation of the telephone system, just how much of the equipment necessary to switch back to human operators still exists?

[Nowhere Man 1966]

Originally Posted by swaghauler

The disruption occurs from THREE sources...

1) Fried telephones that got surged when the EMP came down the lines. This partially saves the lines because the telephone "grounds out" the surge. The phone is killed but the line will be spared as a result of this grounding. This is why you are advised to NEVER talk on an analog telephone during a lightning storm. YOU ARE THE GROUND!

2) Loss of grounding in periodic junctures along the line. Since the lines carry a small electric charge to power the phones, there are grounds every so many miles as well as booster stations to keep the current flow steady. These would be "shorted" during a power surge. In fact, they sort of act like "surge suppressors" by channeling excess voltage out of the system to mitigate damage.

3) Switching Stations. These replaced the old "operator system" with computerized switching that allowed you to call regionally or nationally. These stations also contained the power boosters to keep the lines current stable. These would be HEAVILY DAMAGED by EMP due to the number of phone lines coming in and the fact that many switchers were already operating at or above recommended capacities to provide the needed communication services. Here is where the real work would be.

A typical phone system will have one switching/booster substation and perhaps three or four connector boxes (which also act as boosters) in a 10-mile radius. You've probably seen the boxes situated along the road near intersections. They are about 3ft tall by 4ft wide and collect the lines coming from side roads before sending a larger line up the pole they are mounted on
Some have no visible pole because the lines are underground. This commonly done in cities. In fact, cities may place the switching/booster stations and the lines in underground vaults. PGH PA does this as well as Cleveland and Philly.

I hope that helps

Swag.

I'm from the Pittsburgh area although I reside in Eastern Ohio, just north of Wheeling. I know just down the street from me, Frontier Communications has their central office for their lines. Also, back during the Cold War, Ma Bell used Pittsburgh as one of their major communications hub.