I saw something on my FB timeline about long distance calling back in the stone age....
It was about her only being able to talk to her deployed BF on Saturday afternoons because of where he was- long distance.
I remembered back when we were deployed to Guam back in the 80's and we'd be able to schedule calls to home via MARS (phone-HAM radio-phone).
I'm not sure how much those relay operators paid attention to what was said because they probably had to listen for "over" when someone was done talking.
BUT- I'm sure they heard a crapload of things the shouldn't have, or didn't want to. Death, illness....Jody, financial problems...........
Med. cruise '71, calling from Naples Italy to Va Beach VA cost $20 per minute and you had to go the day before to schedule a time slot...I made $61 dollars a month so not many calls...- JoeRoy
ReplyDeleteUsed MARS in 1976 from Okinawa. Fun Times.
ReplyDeleteThat's when the phrase "WTF, OVER!" crept into the sailor's vernacular.
ReplyDeleteNot just the MARS radio patch operator - everyone with a compatible short wave receiver too.
ReplyDelete