Bell 103 Datasets

[Billy Pettit]

Jules Richardson wrote:
Tony Duell wrote:
> I can't help with dates, but I do have a few old ex-GPO modems in the 
> collection. 
> 
> The Modem 2B is a large box (about 16" square and 7" high from memory. 
> It's 300 baud, original and answer. The front panel opens by undoing 2 
> captice screws at the bottom and then hinging it up (there's a little 
> 'stay' to keep it open). Insider are 4 plug-in modules -- PSU, 
> Demodulator, Control, Modulator, with testpoints, fuses, and adjustments 
> on the front panels. 

Hmm yes, we have one of those at the museum; it's a wonderful bit of 
construction! I've been unable to work out if the 2B was the UK's first
foray 
into modems or not though - was there ever an official 2A, or maybe a 1B or
1A 
that were even earlier? (I'm off over to the museum tomorrow, but I don't 
think any of the ex-GPO lot will be in to ask)

There are some really good UK telecomms websites out there, but
unfortunately 
whilst they cover phones and exchanges and test equipment, none of them seem

to provide any details on the GPO modems...

cheers

Jules

-------------------------------

I asked a friend who is a historian on British telegraphy if he had any data
or dates.  Here is his reply:

Billy Pettit wrote:
> 
> 
> Bill the question is: what are the first UK modems and when did they 
> come out?  Can you help establish a time line?

Billy: Nothing in any of my reference books.  Might be worth an inquiry 
to the BT Archives:

http://www.btplc.com/Thegroup/BTsHistory/BTgrouparchives/index.htm

Bill


Billy