A 150-mc Personal Radio Signaling System

An experimental trial of a 150-mc personal radio signaling system known as the Bellboy system was started in New York City in October I960. The service given to customers is very similar to that provided by 35-mc telephone company systems now operating in several smaller cities.1,2,3 The new system, however, has a much greater traffic capacity, uses receivers of greater selectivity and sensitivity, and includes direct customer dialing. Basically, this system extends the telephone bell to the customer's pocket. Each customer carries a pocket radio receiver containing reeds tuned to specific voice frequencies. This allows him to be selectively signaled. Three transmitters are installed in the lower part of Manhattan to give coverage to practically all locations below 59th Street. Central office arrangements are provided that accept calls that are dialed in and, in response, cause the specific signal of the customer who is being called to be radiated three times on the air. 1239 1240 THE BELL SYSTEM TECHNICAL JOURNAL, SEPTEMBER 1961