GPO 706 telephone.
 

Hello
I have just acquired a grubby, but apparently complete, 706 telephone.
My intention is to clean it up and use it, a new stretchy cord, plug in cable and new rubber feet look like they should be replaced for aesthetics BUT is there any thing else that I should know/do or not do, as its another area I know very little about.
I am currently with Plusnet (therefore BT Openreach) on copper.

Any suggestions of what to do or what to read greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Philip

Re: Gpo 706
 

One of those replacement electret microphones is almost a must. I have them in my 706 and the Trimphones, they do make a big difference to the sound both level and clarity. You may need a rotary dial (loop disconnect, LD) to tone adaptor thing too if your line doesn't support LD.

Re: Gpo 706
 

P.S. My 706 is red too, makes it look important!

Re: Gpo 706
 

LD works on PlusNet for me.

Re: Gpo 706
 

Yes, you should be fine with LD - for now. Once copper telephone wiring goes the way of the dodo though, it will probably be a different matter - not that this is likely to happen any time soon (unless you're within one of the "pioneer" areas).

Re: GPO 706 telephone.
 

Thanks for info
Is the microphone I need this sort of thing?https://www.antiquetelephones.co.uk/...icrophone.html
or any other/better suggestions?

If it wasn't red, probably wouldn't have bought it!

I don't think we are a pioneering area for anything, only got street lights a few years ago!

Many thanks
Philip

Re: GPO 706 telephone.
 

Yours was made in 1962 and refurbished and modernised in 1979.

I'd change the line cord for a red one, and possibly fit a red finger plate.

These are very useable phones when sorted, we use one daily.

Re: GPO 706 telephone.
 

The traditional replacement is the transmitter 21A, but the one you linked to is probably similar or better, though the postage seems a bit steep at £4.50 if you're only buying one.

Re: GPO 706 telephone.
 

You can get the correct 'modern' transmitter (Microphone) from here: https://telephonelines.net/index.php...rosm9pb67qamd3 for less money. Whilst I agree that £4.50 is a lot to pay in P&P for the other one it would cost £3 for the postage alone.

Malcolm at Telephone Lines has more stuff than is on the website so it's worth asking if he's got anything else you want. The existing curly cord may well wash-up nicely and there's nothing lost by trying before paying for a new one.

Re: Gpo 706
 

I got inquisitive and first did a "hook test"( sounds impressive, but it involves just picking up handset and bashing the cradle- broke DT. Then I switched from MF to LD, and dialled"1" again I broke DT.
But then PN is "part" of BT and I can access the BT test network. Then again, once BT implement their VoIP network ( where phones plug into the hub), will we be able to use LD or indeed have a number of phones in the house ( not as part of a radio network)?