plan B

Drat...turns out the micro switches I ordered require just a little too much pressure to function in my payphone.  I don't know why I didn't realize this two days ago but I suddenly happened to think that the on-board computer must have some switches to count nickles, dimes, and quarters.  Found the spot and wired into the correct leads and cha-chingo...it works!  (Note: it only accepts quarters to function but visitors are welcome to feed as many nickles and dimes in as they want.)  Now if I can just put the new switches in a spot where I will be able to find them next time I need one.  82,92,57,0,B

payphone project

Spent an hour hunting for my soldering iron and finally found it.  Wired in a 20 second re-recordable sound module - audio out to the speaker in the receiver - nine volt battery power supply to the hang up switch - wire leads off the circuit board (that was tricky) for playback.  All I need now is the micro switch to activate it when a coin drops.  Cha-ching!  78,88,61,0,B

service call...

Pulled the forms off yesterdays pour and got prepped for more pavers.  Suddenly got a hankerin' for the Friday Fish Special at the Big Bend Motor Inn Cafe.  Hooked up with the good neighbor and headed south for lunch.  We got tied up with other business while in Study Butte and I was there long enough to run into the payphone master - my new best friend David.  He had just finished his rounds in the area and came out to TFL to check out my payphone.  He gave it his best try to hack in but it's a way outdated model.  Next trip down in a couple of weeks and he's bringing me a new phone to install in the booth.  Only in Terlingua.  65,73,33,0,B

lighting test...

Did a lighting test today for the payphone...96 solar powered LED's.  Not quite bright enough for me.  I have enough to double it so I think I can set up the permanent installation tomorrow.  Will make a nice lighted marker for when I come home after dark.  96,103,71,0,B

The Blue Phone

91,103,70,0,B

phone surgery...

Got the pad poured this morning...spotted some drought blooms all over the place out here.  Started stripping down the payphone so I can clean it up and add new graphics and some solar powered lighting.  They put those things together with lots of vandal-proof  fasteners that ordinary tools don't like.  92,103,71,0,B

overdue...

So last week I'm out front at the Big Bend Motor Inn having coffee with my buddy Chuck.  A guy comes up and introduces himself and asks about The Field Lab.  We chat for awhile and it turns out he services ATM's and payphones in the area.  Next time he comes south, he's gonna swing by and crack open my payphone so I can get it working (those things are locked up pretty good).  Decided today's project was to prep for a concrete pad so I can bolt it into place next to my incoming phone line.  94,104,70,0,B