What is a redbox? How do I make one? If you have any questions of this sort, then you really should go visit the PLA, since RBCP's got a great guide for beginners.

However, if you're looking for a little help finding where the crystal in your Radio Shack 43-146 is, take a look here for a view of the open box.

First off, buying and modifying a Tone Dialer is really no big deal. But some RedyoSchak stores have reportedly been give people a hard time, and everyone seems to whine about not finding the right crystals etc, etc, etc. So for the good of mankind, here's some tips...

Note: for informational purposes only, you are responsible for your own actions, don't do this shit. Oh, and a lot of the tips on purchasing the dialer are for the anal-retentive, but why not make everything go as smoothly as possible?

Tips on purchasing a Tone Dialer:

1. Be sure to buy #43-146, the "33 number programmable" version. Yep, it's the $24.95 one, not the $15.95 non-programmable one. If you get the cheap one, you'll have a rather hard time boxing, seeing as you'll only be able to make nickle tones (sort of).

2. Don't let the clerk try it out. If he does, and you screw up the electronics, you might have a harder time exchanging it for a working one. If the guy whips out the AAA batteries, just tell him you're in a hurry. And if all else fails (I.E., you fuck up the electronics, and the clerk won't exchange it), just try back later, when another clerk is working. (Or you can do it the American way, screaming obscenities and demanding to talk to his manager! Be sure to mention "my family was counting on this dialer to work!", and the time tested favorite "I'll never shop here again, mister!")

3. It's not THAT important, but don't give them your real name. They're not going to hunt you down and bust you if you just buy one. If nothing else, just do it for the purpose of fucking with 'em. Who gives a shit, right?

4. SAVE YOUR RECIEPT!

5. Have a little story ready for the clerk, in case the he asks you what you want it for. Examples of stories I've used include "I bought this really cool old rotary dial phone at a garage sale..." and "My uncles's a long distance trucker and he's always forgetting the phone numbers of his relatives..." This tip isn't really important either, just kind of a way to avoid any possible suspicion, or in case the idiot refuses to sell you one.

Tips on making a Tone Dialer type redbox:

1. Know what you're doing. Check out pla002.txt.

2. Be very careful when dealing with the switches. Radio Shack does NOT usually make high quality components; the dialer's switches are no exception.

3. Try not to strip any screws or scratch up the casing very much, just in case you fuck up the electronics, and have to exchange it for a new one... This is where not letting the loser behind the counter test it out comes in handy.

4. Try to use a 6.50 mhz crystal, instead of the 6.5536 mhz one. The 6.50 mhz crystals fit in the casing easier, and are closer to the real tones produced by the phone. Supposedly, this gets you fewer run-ins with those damned live operators. A good place to buy the crystal is Mouser Electronics. $1.55+$2.00 shipping. They arrive in about five to six buisness days. Just go to www.mouser.com and do a search for "6.50 microprocessor timing crystal".

5. Use a low power (20w or less) soldering pencil. Otherwise, you might fry the other components! If you're wonderng what to replace, take a look at the inside of a Tone Dialer.

6. Save the old crystal! (In case you decide to make a combo box later.)

7. If you're fairly confident with your solderin' skills, why not go for broke? Get an DPDT switch from The Shack, and two small gauge 4 inch wires. Connect the wires to where the old crystal was soldered, and the other ends to the two center contacts of the switch. Then solder the old crystal (3.58mhz) to the two contacts on one side of the switch, and the other crystal to the two contacts on the other side of the switch. Check out pla002.txt or the redboxfaq.txt for a more detailed explaination.

 

Good luck and happy boxing....

Feel free to send comments, suggestions, or other tips/experiences to: Napalmoliv@hotmail.com