UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post - 'Button A-B' and grey payphones.

Darren-UK · 20th Nov 2009, 1:57 pm

Interesting. I didn't know there was a little bell which told the Operator what was going on. I do remember ink in the coin trays though. It wasn't unknown, also, for us lads to get connected via the Operator but press B to get our money back. Obviously the bell didn't ding but we got away with it so far as I recall.

The OP asks for an exact date for the changeover but, as I said, I remember this happening over a very long period of time. I imagine there would've been something of a purge when preparing for decimalisation, but then I do clearly recall the grey (Pay on Answer?) equipments taking £sd coinage and being converted to decimal.

Perhaps kiosks were generally updated as and when the equipment became due for overhaul.

20th Nov 2009, 1:57 pm	#5
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: 'Button A-B' and grey payphones. Interesting. I didn't know there was a little bell which told the Operator what was going on. I do remember ink in the coin trays though. It wasn't unknown, also, for us lads to get connected via the Operator but press B to get our money back. Obviously the bell didn't ding but we got away with it so far as I recall. The OP asks for an exact date for the changeover but, as I said, I remember this happening over a very long period of time. I imagine there would've been something of a purge when preparing for decimalisation, but then I do clearly recall the grey (Pay on Answer?) equipments taking £sd coinage and being converted to decimal. Perhaps kiosks were generally updated as and when the equipment became due for overhaul.