Communications - PABX
The test op session surfaced the need to have some reliable means of communication between dispatch, the yard masters and the engineers. In the past, FRS radios were used. But crews did not like them as they were chatter-boxes, forcing everyone to listen to every conversation. Several of the layouts I had operated on had party line systems between locations. They are great, and I was planning on developing one of those. Then I came across a blog post ( https://rgsrr.blogspot.com/2019/05/layout-improvements-flooring-and-phones.html ) where a layout was equipped with a true private automatic branch exchange (PABX); that is, a truly independent phone system where people can call each other directly. The price was very reasonable, and it would free me up from developing the circuits to do a party line. Besides, I have a few old land-line phones laying around, so might as well put them back into good use. Arrived yesterday and cannot wait to get it installed!