Posted on Jun 25, 2014
Who remembers the TA-312 field phone? I was ADA and it was a must! What are your stories?
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The TA -312 Field Phone (LEGENDARY) WE CALLED THE BATTERIES BA 30S
The analog, 2-wire, battery operated TA-312/PT replaced and will interoperate with the World War II and Korean War EE-8 field phone. The rugged and reliable TA-312 was used from the 1950s through the 1980s before being superceded by the TA-838 analog field phone. TA-312's continue in use throughout the U.S. forces as well as many allied countries.
The TA-312/PT is a two-wire, battery operated field telephone. It has a
range of 38 km using WD-1 wire, and was a successor to the EE-8 field
phone used during World War II and Korea. Primarily used from 1950-
1990, it was replaced by the TA-838. It's typically stored in a canvas
bag. An optional TA-955 dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) adapter
allows push button operational interface with automatic analog switches.
To install the TA-312 telephone:
* Strip away one-half inch of insulation from each strand of the WD-1
wire line.
* Depress the spring-loaded line binding posts and insert one strand of
the wire into each post. It doesn't matter which one goes where.
* Adjust buzzer volume control knob to LOUD.
* Turn the INT-EXT switch to INT (Internal). The TA-312 has the
capability of either using the standard H-60/PT handset (INT) or an
external H-144/U headset (EXT).
* Turn the circuit selector switch to LB. (Local battery).
The TA-312
http://www.personal.psu.edu/wmc12/telephones/TA-312.html[6/25/2014 10:03:37 PM]
* Insert the two BA-30 batteries into the battery compartment (one up
and one down). Two D-Call batteries work just as well.
* Seat the handset firmly in the retaining cradle.
* Turn the handcrank rapidly a few turns. Remove the handset from the
retaining cradle and wait for the other operator to answer.
* Depress the push-to-talk switch to talk. Release the push-to-talk
switch to listen.
The Technical Manual used for the TA-312 is TM 11-5805-201-12.
The analog, 2-wire, battery operated TA-312/PT replaced and will interoperate with the World War II and Korean War EE-8 field phone. The rugged and reliable TA-312 was used from the 1950s through the 1980s before being superceded by the TA-838 analog field phone. TA-312's continue in use throughout the U.S. forces as well as many allied countries.
The TA-312/PT is a two-wire, battery operated field telephone. It has a
range of 38 km using WD-1 wire, and was a successor to the EE-8 field
phone used during World War II and Korea. Primarily used from 1950-
1990, it was replaced by the TA-838. It's typically stored in a canvas
bag. An optional TA-955 dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) adapter
allows push button operational interface with automatic analog switches.
To install the TA-312 telephone:
* Strip away one-half inch of insulation from each strand of the WD-1
wire line.
* Depress the spring-loaded line binding posts and insert one strand of
the wire into each post. It doesn't matter which one goes where.
* Adjust buzzer volume control knob to LOUD.
* Turn the INT-EXT switch to INT (Internal). The TA-312 has the
capability of either using the standard H-60/PT handset (INT) or an
external H-144/U headset (EXT).
* Turn the circuit selector switch to LB. (Local battery).
The TA-312
http://www.personal.psu.edu/wmc12/telephones/TA-312.html[6/25/2014 10:03:37 PM]
* Insert the two BA-30 batteries into the battery compartment (one up
and one down). Two D-Call batteries work just as well.
* Seat the handset firmly in the retaining cradle.
* Turn the handcrank rapidly a few turns. Remove the handset from the
retaining cradle and wait for the other operator to answer.
* Depress the push-to-talk switch to talk. Release the push-to-talk
switch to listen.
The Technical Manual used for the TA-312 is TM 11-5805-201-12.
Posted in these groups: 
TrainingCommunications
TrainingCommunications
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 112
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Man this brings back memories - I started my military career in the reserves as a 31K and pretty much all I did was mess with these phones and cables. I got so good at splicing that I garnered the nickname "Splice Master" in my unit. One year at our AT we had a mag drop (connection to a real telephone line) run into our switchboard and the rule was that the OPFOR was not supposed to cut the mag drop since that was our "real world" phone (this was before cell phones). Sure enough the idiots cut the mag drop so I had to go out at 2 am and follow the line through a swamp until I found the cut. There I am splicing it while my buddy held his red light on it when something suddenly dawned on me;
"Hey, this line isn't live, is i-ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH"
Great times man, great times.
"Hey, this line isn't live, is i-ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH"
Great times man, great times.
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SSG Peter Muse
hehe.. I was OPFOR at Ft. Jackson doing raids on reservists ARTEP'ing at Ft. Gordon and again at Hohenfels... yeah, we cut a few wires.. spliced some in and tapped the phone...I was the cutter not the tapper.. we followed the lines and captured the OP then took the HQs at daybreak.. as a CS trucker raiding CSS units it was great fun. thanks for sharing that item. Who knows this one?
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SP5 Michael Rathbun
I always tested out my Deutsche Bundespost landline connection (over quit a few klicks of wire) to our field exercise central switch with a sentence in Russian that can mean both "We know that you are listening, Comrades" and "We know what you are listening to, Comrades".
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We just used these during rotation at Hohenfels.
For those studying for the board, here's what the acronym means:
TA-312
Telephone Apparatus with three power supplies: 1 crank & two batteries (installed inverted)
For those studying for the board, here's what the acronym means:
TA-312
Telephone Apparatus with three power supplies: 1 crank & two batteries (installed inverted)
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MSG (Join to see)
lol, i remember that thing. would have to run wire for it to all the OP points and guard shacks in the field. I remember having to wind it up just to use it and you could give someone a good shock if you took the civer off, lol.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Thanks CSM Michael J. Uhlig, its amazing how you go almost 25 years not knowing until you have a discussion. Thank you candidly for the information.
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Ever notice the pictures of DR-8 are always so pretty? I remember when we had layouts and had to unravel the wire and wash it. All in a day's work. Then again, we armor-all'd the road wheels on the Bradley and used baby oil to bring out the shine of the camo paint. We even had a float set of brand new track pads for static displays.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Don't remind me, those were the days, especially in ADA setting up my Primary Target Line- the avenue of enemy aircraft. The TA 312 was used as auxiliary power from foxhole to Command Post in the perimeter.
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Worked with a Specialist that we all knew would strip the wires with his teeth.
Sent him down the hill to put in a new phone, waited what seemed the appropriate amount of time and gave the phone on my end a good crank.
Rewarded with a loud yelp. He was a bit miffed when he came back, but was still able to see the humor in it.
Sent him down the hill to put in a new phone, waited what seemed the appropriate amount of time and gave the phone on my end a good crank.
Rewarded with a loud yelp. He was a bit miffed when he came back, but was still able to see the humor in it.
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CSM Charles Hayden
SFC White, On an rainy FTX in w/ the Koreans in 1954; we ignored the 'juice' on the SB-22 WD1/TT wires (sp/memory) that our EE-8s fed into and spliced as required. The CPL I shared a pup tent w/ was also over 6 feet tall. Every time we touched the canvas another leak appeared.
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SFC Davis,
Are these being phased out? We have some in my company, and I was just talking to one of the guys in my shop last week about setting up a pair while I'm at JRTC.
I had no idea that these phones are so old. My AIT class learned about them in January 2012, so I just assumed they came with our new systems.
Are these being phased out? We have some in my company, and I was just talking to one of the guys in my shop last week about setting up a pair while I'm at JRTC.
I had no idea that these phones are so old. My AIT class learned about them in January 2012, so I just assumed they came with our new systems.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Well, I am not sure if they are phased out, yet for this phone is ireplaceable in my opinion. I am implying the longeveity and memories of a piece of equipment thats great among our Armed Services known for its various capabilities on the battlefield. I really enjoyed training on as a Soldier.
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CW4 Guy Butler
They're being phased out; they're no longer authorized on MTOEs.
A lot of units still have them (and the supporting equipment) as backup to VOIP phones because they're so reliable.
A lot of units still have them (and the supporting equipment) as backup to VOIP phones because they're so reliable.
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Stories , oh I have stories..
My first duty station, 8th ID... after about a year I was tasked as the company commanders driver (M151)
One morning he had to go to the Bde TOC.. so I drove him up there and parked.. One of the TOC security SM's yelled at me for parking in the worng spot and directed me to the parking area for the "lower ranking" officers... now keep in mind I was ordered to move and directed to take a particular path...
The TOC was 1/2 dozen GP large end to end, with the sides rolled up.... the long side facing me lined with tables, soldiers and ....TA312's
As I drove past the TOC to my assigned parking area...my M151 tires wrapped up the gaggle of WD1 played across the road... in an instant most every TA312 was snatched off the tables and out of hands being flung out into the road and trailing my jeep. I sensed something was wrong and looked left just in time to catch a glimpse of a few dozen TA312's leaping from the desks and flying into the air.. It was a visual straight from a Saturday morning cartoon.
I thought for sure I was hosed...My Bn CSM who had a reputation for ummm, agitated and frequently life altering responses to such events.... In a moment of unusual clarity and fairness .. the BN CSM... calmly asked me to assist getting the WD1 from around my axles then please move out of the way... so THOSE IDIOTS...lol who laid wire across the top of an active road can get busy digging a wire trench. I understand he had them "move" the trench a dozen times over the course of the FTX.. seems the trench was never quite in the right spot... nor never to be positioned in previously dug up dirt. Always fresh solid ground...
My first duty station, 8th ID... after about a year I was tasked as the company commanders driver (M151)
One morning he had to go to the Bde TOC.. so I drove him up there and parked.. One of the TOC security SM's yelled at me for parking in the worng spot and directed me to the parking area for the "lower ranking" officers... now keep in mind I was ordered to move and directed to take a particular path...
The TOC was 1/2 dozen GP large end to end, with the sides rolled up.... the long side facing me lined with tables, soldiers and ....TA312's
As I drove past the TOC to my assigned parking area...my M151 tires wrapped up the gaggle of WD1 played across the road... in an instant most every TA312 was snatched off the tables and out of hands being flung out into the road and trailing my jeep. I sensed something was wrong and looked left just in time to catch a glimpse of a few dozen TA312's leaping from the desks and flying into the air.. It was a visual straight from a Saturday morning cartoon.
I thought for sure I was hosed...My Bn CSM who had a reputation for ummm, agitated and frequently life altering responses to such events.... In a moment of unusual clarity and fairness .. the BN CSM... calmly asked me to assist getting the WD1 from around my axles then please move out of the way... so THOSE IDIOTS...lol who laid wire across the top of an active road can get busy digging a wire trench. I understand he had them "move" the trench a dozen times over the course of the FTX.. seems the trench was never quite in the right spot... nor never to be positioned in previously dug up dirt. Always fresh solid ground...
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Someone is being bad because they are all over Ebay. I kind of want one now.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Mark Merino wow, this equipment is still combat effective in todays modern times.
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SGM Mikel Dawson
I know where there is one in everyday use. If you are headed to the Salmon River Lodge down the Main Salmon River in Idaho. You have to ring up on one to talk to the lodge.
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CPL Brendan Hayes
Rubber binding post covers for $15. If you have a TA 312 you need your rubbers too.
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I have a pair of TA312s in my garage, both are in perfect working order. I have a roll of wire and I even have the blinky light that you can attach to the wire to give a visual signal. I used it in a film I made once.
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SFC Boots Attaway
I wish that I had a couple of them. I would run a line from my house to my brothers.
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SSG (Join to see)
I need to get a TM and a roll of wire to get mine in functioning order...or just take them to the VFW meeting and get some comrades to teach me....now there's an idea!...now to locate some wire....
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COL (Join to see)
Speaker wire should work fine. When you splice a piece of the TA-312 wire (WD-1) you see that only a few soft conductive strands are inside along with some harder wires that don't conduct. I'd try with speaker wire, but let me know if this doesn't work or get yourself some WD-1.
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