SPGDCM@CMSA.BERKELEY.EDU (04/30/87)
MSG:FROM: SPGDCM --UCBCMSA TO: NETWORK --NETWORK 04/29/87 20:40:24
To: NETWORK --NETWORK Network Address
From: Doug Mosher <SPGDCM at UCBCMSA>
Title: MVS/Tandem Systems Manager (415)642-5823
Office: Evans 257, Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
Subject: outgoing amplifier
To: telecom@xx.lcs.mit.edu
In telecom-digest no. 38,
hplabs!well!johnw@seismo.CSS.GOV (John Winters) writes that he wants a
5-watt amplifier to make his outgoing voice louder so his grandmother can
hear.
I can't reach his address to reply directly; I hope others will forward this
and others' replies to him.
Please note: it is only in recent years that stereo home amplifiers go up to
50-100-150 watts, in order to use extremely low-efficiency speakers that
provide various high-fidelity advantages. In the 40's and 50's, and AT PRESENT
on cheap audio devices and cheap car systems, 1 to 5 watts is PLENTY. With
your typical $5 regular-efficiency speaker, you could drive grandmothers
completely crazy with 5 watts (in the same room).
If you put 5 watts on an outgoing line with any efficient coupling, you would
probably be talking to everyone that shared a cable with your line in the
whole system. If not distorting your voice beyond recognition, also or
instead.
What's clearly needed is an amplifier on HER end. Very cheap boxes that one
simply sits the headset in used to be available in stores, or use the same
effort/money that would have amplified your end to work on her end. You could
also consider buying her a speakerphone; and I wonder if the central offcie
would do something for an elderly person, such as supply an amplified handset.
My final comment would be: are you sure both your and her instruments are
operating normally? It's at least possible that if either or both of you tried
any modern 3rd party phone you could get an improvement. You could have an old
standard with crusted-up carbon in your transmitter; people used to bang these
around to loosen the carbon.
Thanks, Doug
w outgoing amplifier