The PMBX4 website is built on a WordPress platform offering a fresh new mobile friendly style, higher quality images and with SSL security. It covers a wide range of old telephones, newer telephones, cordless telephones, telephone kiosks, telephone systems, answering machines, sockets and other miscellaneous pieces of equipment that have been supplied by the General Post-Office, Post-Office Telephones or by British Telecom.
Many of the photographs shown are taken from my own collection of old telephones, others belong to friends who kindly let me take photos. Many other people have kindly contributed pictures for the site. A brief description is given with the year (or approximate year) of manufacture of the telephone illustrated, not its first release date. I am also adding further details about each phone when I have the opportunity. My thanks and appreciation go to all the folk that have kindly contributed to the site. All contributors are now listed on the Acknowledgements page.
Why not call the PMBX4 Speaking Clock services on 0871 976 2819 & 0871 976 2839
PMBX4 has its own popular Speaking Clock Service which features the authentic voice of Pat Simmons.
The number to directly access the Speaking Clock is 0871 976 2819, if dialling from abroad the number is +44 871 976 2819.
We also have a second Speaking Clock line on a separate number 0871 976 2839 which features a variety of speaking clock voices from the past, please see the Speaking Clock page for further details.
Calls to our Speaking Clock services remain the same, the cost is 13p per minute, plus VAT, plus your phone company’s access charge.
When dialled the clock will speak for a set period of time, typically between 40 and 60 seconds, you can hang up before this time, but the line may remain engaged until the time has elapsed.
Our Speaking Clock is radio controlled by the MSF Radio Time Signal in Anthorn, Cumbria to enable it to remain accurate at all times. We aim to provide a reliable service, should you experience persistent problems, please contact us via our feedback page. Our clock has no connection with the genuine BT Speaking Clock service nor with the THG.
During periods of high demand callers may receive either engaged tone or ringing tone when the speaking clock equipment is in use. If this occurs then please redial again, a short while later.
Information on the history of the BT Speaking Clock is now available on our Speaking Clock page.
Telecommunications Heritage Group
I have been a proud member of the Telecommunications Heritage Group since 2002. The THG was formed in 1986 with the aim of bringing together all those engaged in the study, preservation, and collection of the heritage of communications. It now has over 450 members worldwide. The THG is a club or society, not a trading organisation, and they cater for researchers, collectors, historians, operators of restored apparatus and all people just interested in the subject for its own delight.
Interests covered by the Telecommunications Heritage Group (UK) include old telephones, telegraphs, phone kiosks and other hardware. Included in the very reasonable membership fee is a high quality quarterly journal. The complete heritage of telecommunications – civil, military, transport, public, private, ancient and modern, British and foreign – is studied across the membership. A number of members offer help on particular subjects such as kiosk restoration and railway telecommunications. Some enthusiasts own restored vehicles or telephone kiosks, whilst others are responsible for running complete multi-exchange telephone systems on preserved railways, using vintage telephone equipment. Quite a few museums and preservation bodies have close links with the group. For further information about the group and details on how to join please visit the official THG web site at: www.thg.org.uk.
Important note: This website is not endorsed by or associated with the Telecommunications Heritage Group in any manner.