# #397.4 - An Interview with ShadyTel

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2018-06-23
- Length: 37m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel/

## Summary

Carl Kosher, Falcon K, Nick Burrows, and Thumbfree from Shadytel explain their operation of running analog phone lines to tents and boats at ToorCamp. They discuss the logistical challenges of transporting heavy, power-hungry legacy equipment like the AT&T Infinity switch and surplus wire, and their transition to a new modular system designed for easier transport and lower power consumption. The team details the engineering of their new switch, which uses discrete logic and analog modules to mimic mid-20th-century circuitry, enabling hacking and mischief while maintaining voice quality. They also cover their sourcing strategies for surplus components and their commitment to open-sourcing the hardware and test harnesses for future installations.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel#t=0) Introduction: Shadytel and ToorCamp History
- [1:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel#t=85) Logistics: Wiring, T1 Trunks, and Wire Procurement
- [4:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel#t=291) Legacy Equipment: AT&T Infinity and Surplus Sourcing
- [6:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel#t=379) Challenges: Power, Weight, and Waterproofing
- [8:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel#t=514) New Modular Switch Design Philosophy
- [15:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel#t=931) Analog Line Physics: Current Loops and Voltage
- [22:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel#t=1362) Hardware: Modular Circuit Boards and Tone Plants
- [26:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel#t=1564) Network Architecture: Channel Banks and IVR
- [29:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel#t=1746) Power Optimization and Discrete Logic Design
- [31:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-23-397-4-an-interview-with-shadytel#t=1916) Funding, PCB Suppliers, and Open Source Plans

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Shadytel (company)
- ToorCamp (other)
- AT&T Infinity (product)
- T1 (other)
- Channel Bank (product)
- Connections Museum (company)
- Porta Potty (other)
- Model 2500 (product)
- Cortelco (company)
- PCBWay (company)
- PCB Cart (company)
- Altium (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Onshape (tool)
- GitHub (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [251: I Agreed at the Time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time) (Embedded.fm)
- [033 - All Over the Place](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-04-27-033-all-over-the-place) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [EP 372: Pop Tubers, Shifty Semiconductors, and Shelving Shelf Labels](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-06-05-ep-372-pop-tubers-shifty-semiconductors-and-shelving-shelf-labels) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [76: Entropy Is for Wimps](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-11-12-76-entropy-is-for-wimps) (Embedded.fm)
- [379: Monstrous Cable Corporation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-08-379-monstrous-cable-corporation) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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