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 The rugged and reliable TA-312 was used from the 1950s through the 1980s before being superceded by the TA-838 analog field phone.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 The rugged and reliable TA-312 was used from the 1950s through the 1980s before being superceded by the TA-838 analog field phone.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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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL: Naturally we used them. We also had to use the AN/GRC-9 (The Angry Nine). It was a radio, of course, and not a telephone. The problem was, if you didn't have good CW operators, you were in trouble! We also used that old hand cranked generator!
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That and the TA-1 with the CE-11. I Set this equipment up many times in an OP. The bradley fighting vehicle had wire terminals where you hook it up and talk to your NCO that was a little distance away.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Thanks for making me think, its been since 1992 since I left my BFSV (Bradley Fighting Stinger Vehicle). I was ADA and those terminals were mandatory to establish your battle rhythm. "Shoot, move and communicate".
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Wow did not know those field phones went that far back when i got to battalion in 2002. we used TA-1 and TA-312 in our Gun loops. My squad leader kept trying to get me to hold the two wires so he could shock me lol. but we issued shelter halfs and web gear with old alice packs filled with the rest of our 582 gear. It was great when we updated our gear to the modern day.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
I am glad to exploit the history and to share legendary equipment post that has stood the test of time.
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In a post apocalyptic era when the military is ruled by general warlords with out a proper government, those old TA 312s will be helpful.
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I remember all the poor OP's we would take out in training by sabotaging the lines. Early warning devices people......stay alert...stay alive.
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MSG John Wirts
SSG Michael Garcia - I started out as a 321.10 field wireman, I was trained in the pole orchard at Ft Gordon Ga, Garrison wire was open single strand steel with copper plating on glass insulators, lead covered cable on suspension strand, either on cable hangers, or if lucky with a cable lashing machine. Field wire was WD1, or spiral 4 cable with repeaters. Ah yes the good old days.
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There was a switch board that was used to set up different circuits, but I can't remember what it was called. There are times now when I wish my unit had them instead of Motorolas for short distance coms.
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WD-1, which had many other uses, was used before the ever popular duct tape.
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My first assignment at Ft. Ord, 77-78 was with the C&E shop. This was a DS/GS 3rd shop for repair. When there was no work in my primary MOS, I would train and work on repairing TA312s, squad radios, RTT22Bs, rat rigs, radios like the AN/GRC 106s, 522 modems, along side the teletype, radar, and other radio repairers. It was a busy shop, but for me, it was either working on C&E equipment or get put on detail. We had the WWII barracks, so top had his list of weed pullers, rock painters and other odd jobs to be done.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Interesting , TA 312 was a lifesaver to work instead of details. I was stationed at Planet Ord 2/62 A.D.A from 92-93
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SSG Mike Angelo
C&E shop, Hq/Lt Company, 707th. They are all up at Ft. Lewis now I suppose.
The Details early on in my assignments like Ft. Ord and Germany in 78-80 prepared me for a more diverse and colorful career. After 1980 my MOS split in 2 MOSs; FA support and Armor support. I supported armor units, mech infantry units and retired at Ft. Sill as a member of the NETT, new equipment training team M109A6 SP Howitzer, Paladin program.
The design of the Army in my era was Cold War Heavy.
After I retired in 96, I observed small team development and deployment coming of age and transforming the army toward what is observed today.
The Details early on in my assignments like Ft. Ord and Germany in 78-80 prepared me for a more diverse and colorful career. After 1980 my MOS split in 2 MOSs; FA support and Armor support. I supported armor units, mech infantry units and retired at Ft. Sill as a member of the NETT, new equipment training team M109A6 SP Howitzer, Paladin program.
The design of the Army in my era was Cold War Heavy.
After I retired in 96, I observed small team development and deployment coming of age and transforming the army toward what is observed today.
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SSG Mike Angelo
Prooving that land line commo is the favored secured mode, the rugged TA 312 in my era was the classic piece that has survived "In the Hands of Troops," both in field and garrison. Mickey Mouse phones...STU series were present even in the 70's but really, who had those at the unit level?
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Oh yeah...in Neubrucke with my good friend SGT Michael Corujo we enjoyed these in the mid 80’s..!! Hooah.
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SGT Michael Corujo
...and the time that I told a newbie to hold on to the bare wires to see if the battery (?!) was charged? Told him that it was low-level voltage and he leaped backwards 5 feet!
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