another modest proposal...

[The Dark force of dance]

Y-ellow
At 12:18 PM 9/18/97 +1000, Rowena Larkins wrote:
>
>> ....if you had say a large number of reed relays, then you
>> could arrange them in a matrix say 12x12, connecting patchpoints
>> like in a VCS3, then by plugging magnets into the holes above
>> the relays which would be under the panel, you have a 
>> connection system THAT CAN BE USED UNDER WATER!!!!! 
>> 
>> seriously, if the magnets were embedded in something big enough
>> not to swallow, you could make a really trendy all wood surface
>>synth for the under two brigade! this is what the world needs!
>
>I used to work for the phone company in Australia, Telstra.

I'm really glad to hear you got over your affliction. :)

>There was (maybe still is ) equipment in telephone exchanges like that, except 
>it was designed for *big* relays and ran off 50 volt electro magnets. They 
>were called crossbar switches and they certainly were big. They were in grey
>steel boxes not nice wooden boxes. I'm sure that they could be picked up 
>quite cheaply at some disposal outlet.

You wouldn't believe how cheap. We use to buy 'em by the pallet load for 20
bucks a pallet. I don't know how many were on a pallet but lotz. We use to
cut the contacts off because they were made of palladium (sp?) and each
ericson crossbar would render a small fortune in precious metals. Like maybe
a hundred times the cost of buying 'em and transporting 'em. I don't know
that there would be too many left. Not after we got to 'em. Mind you all the
ones we bought were brand new and boxed. But just raid an old outback
exchange. You're bound to find some. :)   

>It is quite likely that some more modern devices (these were designed in the 
>50's) were installed that used reed relays.

>Oh and regarding the RJ45 patch cords, well, I acquired several, now I can put

Yea this news really pisses me off. I just required a veritable bucket load
of RJ45 technology because a network-head friend of mine gave me a very
convincing rave on how, one day, everything will use RJ45s. I think I'll
take them all round to his place and insert them in him analy. :)

Be absolutely ICebox.
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