our phone system tour, How it all works

One of my subscribers had asked how our building's PBX phone system worked. This video, despite the low quality is a quick tour of how it all works.

The first part shows the Merlin II controller, the R3 processor, the 408 ATL board and the three 012 Basic telephone boards with built in Ring Generators (you can actually get the 012 board that does NOT have a built in ring generator. Those boards use a separate optional ring module that is installled in the power supply unit.) This system can be upgraded to a Merlin Legend system by replacing the processor and changing the 408 to the 408 MLX board. But. that means you need the legend phone sets as they use  ISDN protocol instead of the older Merlin terminals. I bought this system used but for a very nice price and built it up. I had to replace a old NiCad battery in the processor. This system can handle quite a few phone extensions. 36 good ole POTS and 8 AT&T voice terminals, as configured.

Part 2 shows how calls are transfered between the apartments on the system.

We have an attendant console that we use to program the system. We don't leave it plugged in as it is a VERY EXSPENSIVE unit. it is the Merlin II Display console that we use to program the system. Normally we use the BIS-22 phones with display.

Lastly, I show my new (to me) Vintage Realistic Nova 40 stereo headphones. Mine is the older model that does not have the volume control on the headphones. There is a newer Nova 40 that has volume controls. These work great on my Macs and my Iphone 3gs with a 1/4" to 1/8" stereo plug adaptor.