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In the Miniseries, Aaron Doral sums up the antiquated systems used aboard the Galactica while leading a tour of the de-commissioned ship.

"As I was saying, form follows function. Now, nowhere is this axiom of design more readily apparent than on board the world famous Battlestar Galactica. This ship, the last of her kind still in service, was constructed over fifty years ago in the early days of the Cylon War...

...You'll see things here that look odd, even antiquated. Uh, antiquated to modern eyes, like phones with cords, awkward manual valves, computers that, well, barely deserve the name. It was all designed to operate against an enemy who could infiltrate and disrupt even the most basic computer systems. Galactica is a reminder of a time when we were so frightened by our enemies that we literally looked backward for protection."

Military Field Phones

The phones used in the CIC are TA-1/PT Telephone Sets. There are several "hero" versions scattered through out the set, but most are resin copies.

The TA-1/PT Telephone Set is a lightweight one piece sound powered field telephone, for use on two wire field lines or in point-to-point communications with other two wire field telephones, or can be interfaced with field and fixed base Local Battery Manual Switchboards. Unlike most other military phones the TA-1 uses a sound powered dynamic microphone element providing facilities for talking and signaling without batteries. This telephone set can be used to advantage in forward tactical areas, in switched networks having magneto signaling switchboards, in closed nets, and in point-to-point circuits. The telephone handset contains sound-powered transmitter and receiver units, a hand generator that is operated by a lever-type switch, and a push-to-talk switch. The user can receive either visual or audible-visual signaling indications during operation.

• Built-in signal generator for transmission signaling
• Audible buzzer and volume control for receive signaling
• Visual indicator for silent signaling

Manufacturer

Installation

To install the TA-1 telephone:

• Strip away half an inch of insulation from each strand of the WD-1 wire line.
• Depress the spring-loaded line binding posts and insert one strand of the wire into each post.
• Adjust signal volume control knob to LOUD.
• Depress the generator lever several times to call the other operator and listen for buzzer sound.
• Turn the buzzer volume control knob until the wanted volume is obtained.
• Look at the visual indicator to see if it shows four white luminous markings.
• Depress the push-to-talk switch to reset the visual indicator.