These are examples of the sounds generated
by tone plant equipment by Stromberg-Carlson XY (a variant of the Step
by Step) switching systems.
Files are in MP3
format. Click on a link to listen.
Fonda, Iowa
These recordings were made in the summer of 1998 as the last XY
equipment was being phased out in GTE territory in Fonda, Iowa. This
switch was converted to digital in the fall of 1998.
Ringback Signal
Busy Signal
Reorder (fast busy)
North Hopkins, Iowa
These recordings were made in the spring of 1998 as the last XY
equipment was being phased out in Sprint/United Telephone territory in
North Hopkins, Iowa (served out of the CO in Hopkins, MO). This switch
was converted to digital on September 15, 1999. Notice the strange
cadences on the reorder signal.
Ringback
Busy Signal
Reorder
Intercept Recording & Reorder
Pickering, Missouri
These recordings were made in the spring of 1999 as the last XY
equipment was being phased out in Sprint/United Telephone territory in
Pickering, Missouri. This switch was converted to digital in the
summer of 1999.
Ringback Signal
Busy Signal
Harris G. Allen Telecommunications
Museum (Tomah, WI)
These recordings are from the Harris G. Allen Telecommunications
Historical Museum in Tomah, WI. These recordings are courtesy of Joe Molter.
Recorded in the summer of 1998.
XY Dial Tone
Dial Tone
XY Busy Signal
Busy signal - call is made to a number that is busy.
XY Ringback Signal
Ringback - Call is made to a number that rings but never answers.
XY Switching Sounds
Recording made inside the building where the XY office was. You can
hear the very noisy sounds of calls in progress.
XY Toll Ticketing
System Sounds
Carroll Lambert, a retired telephone
company employee, has graciously given us several recordings of a
Stromberg XY Toll Ticketing System that he recorded on a cassette
tape around 1970. These were from a system that was in service at
the Shenandoah Telephone Company (now Shentel) in Edinburg Va.
during the 1950s to the 1970s. He retired from Shenadoah Telephone
after 40 years of service. Warren B. French Jr. was President
and General Manager of the company when all this took place. The
Stromberg XY was removed when a North Electric computer controlled
NX1E switch was installed in 1974.
The following is a picture of the device
from a catalog. Click on the picture for a larger version.
#1
Time: 39 seconds
#2
Time: 32 seconds
#3
Time: 38 seconds
#4
Time: 2 minutes 13 seconds
#5
Time: 32 seconds
#6
Time: 1 minute 6 seconds
#7
Time: 1 minute 50 seconds
Other
Vintage Sounds Pages
Automatic Electric Step by Step Sounds
Stromberg-Carlson XY Sounds
Western Electric Crossbar Sounds
Canadian Vintage Sounds
FTR-Kellog Sounds
Miscellaneous Sounds
Main Sounds Index Pages
Modern Telephone Sounds Main Page
Vintage Telephone Sounds Main Page
International Telephone Sounds Main Page
Miscellaneous Telephone Sounds Main Page
Copyright 2009 Telephone World
Page last modified July 23, 2009
Contact us for more information
