Posted on Jun 25, 2014
Who remembers the TA-312 field phone? I was ADA and it was a must! What are your stories?
50.8K
1.49K
333
81
81
0
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 The rugged and reliable TA-312 was used from the 1950s through the 1980s before being superceded by the TA-838 analog field phone.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 The rugged and reliable TA-312 was used from the 1950s through the 1980s before being superceded by the TA-838 analog field phone.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
7
7
0
No one knows the hell of being a 31F and actually having to use a SB-86 in a month long training exercise.
(7)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Wow, you want to talk about, being tactical and technical, have at it with the SB-86.
(14)
(0)
SFC Steven Harvey
Yea it was not fun, I was with the 312th Field Hospital and when they started the MASCAL portion it was quite interesting.
(2)
(0)
7
7
0
SSG Tim Everett
*blowing into the handset to make sure the PTT works*
"Yes, congratulations, your radio is now fully inflated"
"Yes, congratulations, your radio is now fully inflated"
(1)
(0)
6
6
0
(1)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
Excuse my youth, but I never got the chance to play with this neato contraption. I will simply compare it to the Zack Morris phone on "Saved by the Bell" of a different generation. Hope it works out great in your tree fort SFC Merino. If I, or other RP participants for that matter, are ever invited please conduct a class on it first.
(1)
(0)
LtCol David Durcsak
Almost bought a pair of these at a gun show...great piece of gear. Does anyone know what they use now?
(2)
(0)
6
6
0
6
6
0
1LT William Clardy
SFC Mark Merino, were you aware that the TA-1, in marked contrast to the TA-312, has been certified for use as an intra-ship communications terminal in Battlestar-class spaceships?
(6)
(0)
SFC Mark Merino
I laughed my butt off when I saw that as well. They did claim to use "old, un-networked computers and communications"...lol
(4)
(0)
5
5
0
My favorite TA-312 story happened at the National Training Center (NTC). I was a Battle Captain in the Ops Center and we were executing a big air assault and I requested a status on how much fuel we had on hand after the first turn. So, I cranked the TA-312 direct line we had strung to the Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) and received an answer from a very young sounding female voice, “FARP, Private XXXX, can I help you?” I asked for the NCOIC, found out he was napping, which he deserved and definitely needed, and then I asked her if you knew the remaining fuel status. She went and checked, came back and gave me the status. “Thank you,” I replied. She replied, “10-4 good buddy! Over and out!” I just stood there in the TOC with what I am sure was my mouth open before dying laughing. Everyone in the TOC just looked at me till I explained what just happened. The let the FARP NCOIC know what happened a day or two later and he apologized. I told him it kept us entertained for the rest of the night and not to worry too much about it as I knew she had just come from AIT. He assured me they were currently retraining on “proper comms procedures.”
(5)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Oh yea, Sir never a dull moment with the ole TA-312, Iconic in all aspects of commo. Roger...Out!
(12)
(0)
5
5
0
Hey Turtle, hold these two wires, I need to check to see if this is working :D
(5)
(0)
5
5
0
As Armored Cav, wasn't totally unusual to setup OPs and run either the TA-1 or TA-312 off the back of the track where you had connections for it, to link it to the Intercom system on the vehicle.
Also, at the Guard towers and bunkers on the DMZ they were used, till we turned the American sector over to the ROKs in 91.
Also, at the Guard towers and bunkers on the DMZ they were used, till we turned the American sector over to the ROKs in 91.
(5)
(0)
SGT Thomas Lucken
When I was at FT Riley, we use to take the Hoffmans, commo wire, and batteries, and go fishing at Milford Lake! :-) :-)
(1)
(0)
(13)
(0)
5
5
0
5
5
0
I still remember the old SB22 Switchboards that they connected too. I am too happy to not have them anymore.
(5)
(0)
SFC Peter Cyprian
Yeah...that SB-22 sucked! I was really blown away in AIT when we had a class to teach us how to answer and patch.....a whole day to learn "number please" and then plug it from one line terminal to another.
(4)
(0)
MSG John Wirts
How about call signs? I remember one board I operated had the call sign "Fluffy Coaches" never could get the distant end to quit laughing!
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google