What Wiring needed to connect phone handset lead to PC?

[Jim]

I want to record my my phone callsbut get poor results using a device on
the line socket.

So I want to use the handset lead. There are four connectors in the
socket on the main phone.

What signals are these wires carrying and what circuit do I need to get
an audio-out signal to record the phone call?


----------

Retell sell these connector devices below for £20 and £40 (cheaper at
Farnell). I would rather build one. But how?

Record connector for telephone handsets (ref 156)
http://snipurl.com/r7bf

PC to telephone play and record connector (ref 157)
http://tinyurl.com/qq9nq

 

[Brian A]

I want to record my my phone callsbut get poor results using a device on
the line socket.

So I want to use the handset lead. There are four connectors in the
socket on the main phone.

What signals are these wires carrying and what circuit do I need to get
an audio-out signal to record the phone call?


----------

Retell sell these connector devices below for £20 and £40 (cheaper at
Farnell). I would rather build one. But how?

Record connector for telephone handsets (ref 156)
http://snipurl.com/r7bf

PC to telephone play and record connector (ref 157)
http://tinyurl.com/qq9nq

I would guess that it is not legal to connect to the phone line if it
is a public one. However...
You could use something as simple as a capacitor, to each of the
signal lines, in series with a resistor, say 1M, and then connect to
your sound card. Alternatively, a transformer arrangement, to share
the signal from your handset, would provide isolation so would be a
safer. You might find something on the Maplin site.
Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.

 

[Arfa Daily]

I would guess that it is not legal to connect to the phone line if it
is a public one. However...
You could use something as simple as a capacitor, to each of the
signal lines, in series with a resistor, say 1M, and then connect to
your sound card. Alternatively, a transformer arrangement, to share
the signal from your handset, would provide isolation so would be a
safer. You might find something on the Maplin site.
Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.

I always used to use a telephone pickup coil. Just sticks onto the body of
the phone using a suction cup. Picks up from the hybrid transformer. I think
most modern phones still use a hybrid tx but it's much smaller than the
older style ones, so it may be necessary to move it around to find the
optimum pickup position. Be aware that strictly speaking, it is illegal to
record a telephone conversation without the knowledge of the calling party.
You can feed the output of one of these coils to either the phono (
turntable ) input of a hifi, or the mic input of a sound card. Maplin LB92A
is the part number if you're in the UK, or should give you an idea of what
you're looking for if not. www.maplin.co.uk

Arfa

 

[[email protected]]

Be aware that strictly speaking, it is illegal to
record a telephone conversation without the knowledge of the calling party

That is not true. The legal position is that the class licence
requires that at least one party to the call must know that it is
being recorded. So if you know, they don't need to.

--

Iain
the out-of-date hairydog guide to mobile phones
http://www.hairydog.co.uk/cell1.html
Browse now while stocks last!

 

[Arfa Daily]

That is not true. The legal position is that the class licence
requires that at least one party to the call must know that it is
being recorded. So if you know, they don't need to.

Possibly. It certainly used to be illegal in the UK under all circumstances,
hence the reason that answer machines which had a live record function, such
as the Panasonic 2416, produced a regular bleep to the line, once this
function had been engaged. It was present as a result of a uP pin called "
/BEEP " as I recall, being tied down by link. For use in other countries,
where it was not illegal, it could be opened to float up, and disable the
feature.

The legal position has changed and is governed by a number of individual
pieces of legislation, each carrying their own caveats. Not the least of
these, are data protection and human rights. It is a potential minefield,
and whether or not the recording of conversations without the callers'
knowledge is legal, depends to a great extent on the purpose for which the
recording is being made. If it is just for your own totally private use,
then it may be perfectly legal. If, however, a third party could have access
to the recording in whatever format, then it may not be.

Thus, neither of us is actually totally correct in our black and white
statements of " no it's not / yes it is " - in the UK at least. Therefore,
it might be better to say to the OP, err on the side of caution, and make
sure that you understand the legal position, for your particular
application.

Arfa

 

[Stan]

it may not be.

Thus, neither of us is actually totally correct in our black and white
statements of " no it's not / yes it is " - in the UK at least. Therefore,
it might be better to say to the OP, err on the side of caution, and make
sure that you understand the legal position, for your particular
application.

Arfa

Right on Arfa. Some seem to make an assumption that because of legislation
enacted in one country that "Is the rule" everywhere! A radio broadcasting
station in say Europe etc. can be licensed to operate on Long Wave; i.e. a
frequency beween say 125 and 300 kilohertz; in accordance with international
frequency assignment treaties. In North America it is true to say "No
broadcasting below 500 kilohertz" in fact the approx 550 to 1700 kilohertz
band is, in the Americas, called "Broadcast Band". Occasionally I receive
information/admonitions from the FCC, (Who are they? Oh yes; an American
regulatory Agency) in Washington that don't apply at all here in Canada !

It also happens quite freqently here in Canada, where for example our
electrical safety and wiring codes are very similar (Although perhaps a bit
tougher in some respects in Canada? e.g. Microwave oven door lock switches
AIUI?) But our copyright, publishing and plagiarizing laws are different to
those of the USA.

Someone, for example, from say, Tennessse, may quote a regulation as they
have heard in that US state; later to find that it doesn't necessarily apply
in all other US states, let alone in a separate country; Canada, UK,
Australia etc..

As another current example; a newly enacted US law will require returning US
citizens, Canadian visitors and others to and/or seeking entry/reentry to
the US to possess valid passports or other 'official' (but undefined)
identification! While over 30% of Canadians, especially those used to
travelling, do have passports, the percentage of US citizens holding
passports is much, much lower. So it looks like there may be problem if/when
many US citizens want to 'step outside'?

So real life is various shades of grey?

 

[[email protected]]

Some seem to make an assumption that because of legislation
enacted in one country that "Is the rule" everywhere!

The only telecomms group this was posted to is uk.telecom.mobile

Guess what the uk bit refers to!

--

Iain
the out-of-date hairydog guide to mobile phones
http://www.hairydog.co.uk/cell1.html
Browse now while stocks last!

 

[Terry]

I want to record my my phone callsbut get poor results using a device on
the line socket.

So I want to use the handset lead. There are four connectors in the
socket on the main phone.

What signals are these wires carrying and what circuit do I need to get
an audio-out signal to record the phone call?


----------

Retell sell these connector devices below for £20 and £40 (cheaper at
Farnell). I would rather build one. But how?

Record connector for telephone handsets (ref 156)
http://snipurl.com/r7bf

PC to telephone play and record connector (ref 157)
http://tinyurl.com/qq9nq

Try a software solution.

http://www.voicecallcentral.com/

 

[Arfa Daily]

The only telecomms group this was posted to is uk.telecom.mobile

Guess what the uk bit refers to!

This of course, is where the problem of cross-posting pops up. The OP's
original post was copied to a number of groups. You saw it in
uk.telecom.mobile. We saw it in sci.electronics.repair. Whilst I am UK
based, many posters on this group are US / Canada / Australia based. Just
one of those things, and easily missed if you're not looking for it. I did
not particularly look at the groups that the message had been posted to,
just assuming a UK poster, as there was mention of Farnell and UK prices
;~}

Arfa