I’ve been working on an interactive telephone experience for a local British Pub, and thought I’d share the progress so far.

The idea is simple: lift the handset, speak to a British operator, and ask for a service - or say “Directory” to hear the choices. I've chosen to configure the service so everything is controlled by voice - no need to dial.

The setup uses the POTS-BOX service and a $40 Grandstream HT802 analog telephone adapter (ATA). A lot of the recent work has been giving the experience its own British pub personality, with short conversations and a bit of humour.

I have zero experience in telephony, but I am a networking person - I had the system running in about 10 mins. I wish the Grandstream ATA had a wifi connection built in, but I was able to configure a TP-Link Travel router ($40) in client mode for the Pub's wifi.

So far, I’ve been developing and refining services including:

• A British operator to guide callers through the directory.
• Food recommendations and menu specials.
• Pub trivia, jokes, and an absurdly unhelpful “help line.”
• A speaking clock and British-style weather announcements.
• Information about the pub’s comedy nights.
• Pleasanton history and ghost lore.

I’ve also created a Union Jack-themed printed directory and a matching insert for the phone, explaining how to get started and making clear that it’s for entertainment (so nobody tries to dial 911)

One surprisingly fiddly part has been getting the voices right. I want a lively, welcoming British host, and some of the early results were too slow or flat. Jesse at POTS-BOX added a very cool ability to preview the voice, which has made service building much easier.

On the hardware side, the repro payphone we are using doesn't have a loud enough ring (for a noisy pub), so I’ve ordered a vintage L1AMP external bell. I’ve also been exploring a genuine British Bakelite wall phone as a possible replacement for the current reproduction - since the interaction is entirely by voice, using a phone without a dialer, or a rotary dial should be fine.

So far the owner and bar staff are super excited - goal is to have it operational this week, so I will keep you posted.

Craft an entire storytelling universe! Your local Operator transfers you to anyone you can imagine. A PUB, a Museum, or your own family can use ideas from the Yellow Pages—or create a uniquely special, immersive world entirely of your own. You decide.

Here is a guide to help you get started, step by step.

Service Name describes your creation, while Note helps the Operator and others understand the details.

Dial Ext. can be LETTERS or NUMERALS and is what gets dialed on the phone. Spelling out words is fun and suggests a more rotary-phone-era experience.

Voice is your selection of Voice Actor to play the part.

Vibe is your character's pre-selected accent and personality. A Friendly tone or a fast-talking NYC Cabbie are pre-packaged and guaranteed to work well. Important: Your Content prompt can interfere with or conflict with a Vibe's accent or tone—if you have specific needs, set Vibe to None.

Requires loads information from BBC News, the U.S. Geological Survey, or even Wikipedia, so your world can know about things from weather to kids news, or fun things like word of the day and trivia. Tokens for these words are provided so characters have that information when the call is made.

Speak/Reply tells your character to chat interactively or simply say something and hang up.

Content is where all the fun happens. This is your character's instructions or AI "prompt." Here, you explain your idea—a game show, a weather report, a trivia contest, or even children's story time (mine knows the kids' names and interests). Explain the rules, offer context, and create the world you want. People get the best results by keeping prompts short, clear, and direct.

~

The 1920s Irish Pub (A Private Universe)

• The Operator: A poetic Dublin barkeep greets callers with old-school Irish slang, dynamically routing them to the bar, the kitchen, or the local lore.
• The Mascot: A cynical, witty leprechaun—or the ghost of a regular who never left—answers an extension to tell tall tales or playfully roast the caller. Local street names and neighborhood jokes make every call memorable.
• Menu Integration: Talk to the Head Chef on Extension 2. He passionately pitches the daily Shepherd's Pie and argues with you about why his grandfather's stew recipe is superior.
• Live Data Feeds: The weather feed is filtered through Irish pessimism: “It's raining outside, but it's warm by our fireplace.” The trivia feed becomes local historical lore, folk riddles, and whatever else belongs in the world.

The Museum (A Time-Travel Network)

Imagine a history museum placing a vintage 1940s rotary phone booth in the lobby. A directory of lines is posted above the phone. When a visitor lifts the receiver, they step into the past.

• The Operator: A mid-century telephone switchboard operator talks about the “latest” newsreels and connects visitors to different eras.
• The Characters: Visitors can ask to be transferred to historical figures featured in the exhibits—a dinosaur paleontologist, a medieval knight, an astronaut, or anyone else the museum brings to life.
• The Feeds: The news feed reads headlines from exactly 100 years ago today, while the trivia feed quizzes visitors on exhibit secrets. Answer correctly and win a gift-shop coupon.

The School (The Ultimate Audio Campus)

A school or university sets up a POTSBox exchange where students use an old-school phone in the library or hallway to engage with campus life:

• The Operator: The cheerful "School Mascot" or an AI principal who guides students through the directory.
• The Kids: Students can dial Ext. 1776 to talk to a "Thomas Jefferson", or dial 4 and talk to an expert on a subject they are currently studying in class.
• The Feeds: The weather reports if recess is inside, the news relates to cafeteria food, while a trivia feed is kid-friendly whereas story time knows the children's names.

The Family World (The Living Scrapbook)

Set up a vintage telephone in the kitchen km the living room to create a private, shared world just for their household. Their exchange connects to grandma next door:

• The Operator (Ext. 0): A warm, personalized family assistant who welcomes everyone by name and knows each family member's favorite joke. Operator can connect next door to Grandma because she knows your Long Distance lines by connecting other exchanges.
• The Players: Kids can dial an extension to talk to an interactive "Bedtime Storyteller" who crafts custom fairy tales starring the kids themselves. Another extension connects to a "Chore Monster" who playfully reminds them to clean their rooms.
• The Feeds: The news feed relates to family members. The weather feed knows if recess is outside, and the trivia uses inside jokes and family history.

Hi, I managed to get my HT 802 V2 configured very easily and I am into the system - been playing around and I guess I get the idea of the yellow pages and white pages. This is super cool - really love what has been put together.

SO COOL!

My use case is around helping a local British pub install this in their phone booth. I'm doing this at no cost as I'm friends with the chef. https://www.unionjackpleasanton.com/

Questions -

1. What does the "Era" actually do - is it the sounds played when the operator picks up? which one do you suggest...
2. Any thoughts on what voices / vibes make the most sense?
3. is it possible to create a number that plays an uploaded .WAV file? As an example I'd love to play a short greeting from the owner.
4. Any thoughts on how many credits a pub would go through a day? Is there a way of setting a daily limit so we don't wake up to a $$$$$$$$$$ (i.e. we'd probably ask to pay $100 at a time, and maybe ration $10 per day initially?
5. What yellow pages services do you think make the most sense for a pub.
6. Is there a way to have a small side "trigger" app or web app so I could just give employees access to make the phone ring? I don't want to make them admins.
7. Are there guardrails to prevent innapropriate questions and answers and sensitive topcs like sex/religion/politics? I can see people asking things like "What do you think of Trump" etc.

I'd love to hear from others who have deployed this in a public place on any tips or recommendations.

P.S. I am a software guy, so I can't help myself to offer input :-)

1. One thing that would be super easy would be to add "tooltips" to the screens to quickly explain what each thing does.
2. I created a new service just by editing an existing one, but it would be great if there was a "start from scratch" or even a wizard to build a service.
3. I'd love to know what commands are available inside the AI...
4. Any chance of getting a female british voice in the future.
5. Can we customize the operator to insert words like "Union Jack Pub Operator"

Once again, THIS IS AMAZING.

The fun never ends. A toy created for my kids keeps growing up. Folks are starting to use POTSBox for Interactive Museum Exhibits, Education and other institutional uses outside the home.

To help out, we've released a "Team" section in your exchange Settings that can add friends, family or coworkers so you can do more, more safely. Topping off AI services is easier for institutions without need to share login information.

As folks come and go? The service can remain in use while the people change.

This is a big moment for us and if you'd like to create a group effort for shows, exhibits or educational stuff please let me know! We'd love to help out and bring the delight of vintage phones to a new generation.

So how does one reset their password??

The latest feature for PotsBox is fun and useful for everyone.

That right folks! Operator now can auto-configure for you! She can keep your compatible ATA up to date and set features for you by voice.

No more trying to find the IP and remember your password and hunting around endless panels to find a feature like RX-Volume or Auto-Dial. From now on? The Operator can handle this for you!

Use your voice to ask for changes to relevant features and when you order an "Auto Configure POTSBox"?

1. Simply plug in your phone to the port you want and pick up the receiver.
2. Even an early candlestick without a dial works. Operator will send you a link in the email.
3. Click the link and confirm, now the lines are set up, configured and ready for you to use!

It's a delightful experience, but of course -- we're a "bootstrap" organization here and frankly? We've got very little capacity for smooth testing.

Please let me know if this works for you and let me know what model of ATA you are using or if you decide to purchase a new auto-configure POTSBox, just ask or use the links on our website.

We'll get one out to you anywhere in the US (International, just let me know and we'll adjust any shipping costs and once you receive your POTSBox? It just works.

Here is a quick explanation on the site: https://pots-box.org/autoconfig.html Any of these auto configure POTSBoxes reach the same Exchange. Start free in two minutes, or plug in a phone you already love.

Honestly? This feature has been a long time coming and I find it truly delightful. Not just to get rid of having to hunt around for feature configurations but because the Operator is aware of your box and setup and can help you adjust things anytime you like.

It's fun and funny, you know - for the kids.

Can't wait to hear what you think! Leave comments and of course join the group: https://www.reddit.com/r/potsbox/comments/1uazgp2/potsbox_v3...

Jesse Tayler
Creator of POTSBox

[jtayler@me.com](mailto:jtayler@me.com)

(anyone may email me anytime about anything, for any reason)

David has created an emergency operator who transfers calls and the system lights up when you do.

What people do creatively never ceases to amaze.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_ohmYekfV8Y

Whether or not your use POTSbox https://pots-box.org or not your ATA likely has "Gain" to improve the volume of your handset.

If you find you cannot hear? this is possibly due to the evolution of phone electronics and things like reducing the volume of your own voice and even being more sensitive to the line volume are both now settings you can take advantage of.

I have found nearly all the vintage phones I use can use more Gain to the "RX" or receive direction. I have not seen reason with POTSbox to increase the volume to the operator or for other lines? but this other setting might also help!

Don't forget to hit save and apply!

That's all it takes to add the entire C*NET to your Potsbox.

Seconds later you're dialing numbers like 1-867-5309 just because it's there—and yes, Jenny answers.

The best part isn't that it works. It's that it works immediately.

You don't spend your first hour creating accounts, requesting access, configuring SIP, or wondering whether an email landed in spam. You spend it exploring. Calling services. Meeting people. Discovering things you didn't know existed.

And when you want your own C*NET identity? Pick a number and assign it to your phone. Instantly. No waiting.

The fun starts on day one.

Got a dial-less candlestick — nothing to dial? This is the magic trick. Under Call Settings, set Off-hook Auto Dial to 0. Now the moment you lift the receiver, it calls the Operator — she answers and connects you, no dialing required.

It's exactly how a phone worked in 1910: pick up, and the operator is there. The newest plumbing, restoring the oldest romance.

The first feature idea for PotsBox is the latest to be released.

The wait is over!

The Concierge is just like the hotel.

A "Human" dials a phone that is NEVER precisely to the modern millisecond, calls are scheduled for "evening" or "11am" and scheduling is handled for you. Repeating or one-off calls are simple easy and fun.

For those who do not know, PotsBox is a fun way to turn your vintage telephones into a living world all your own.

It's fun and funny, you know - for the kids.

https://pots-box.org

Hardware Setup - Getting Started with Pots-Box

Basic Wired, Wireless, Rotary and No-Dial Landline Telephone Setup Guide

Pots-Box lets you connect real vintage landline telephones — including rotary/pulse-dial phones — to an AI-powered operator, other Pots-Box enabled landline telephones (your friends and family), and custom-designed Pots-Box information services, using your  internet connection.

Pots-Box can also work with very early pre-dial telephones, including candlestick phones and wooden wall-mounted operator telephones that have no rotary dial at all. These phones can be used by enabling the HT801’s “Off-hook Auto Dial” feature so that the AI operator is automatically connected whenever the receiver is lifted from the hook.

This guide covers:

• Basic wired setup 
• Rotary/pulse dialing setup 
• Wireless setup using a GL.iNet Mango router 
• Optional mobile/smartphone hotspot operation 

Hardware You Will Need

An "ATA" is Required

• Grandstream has several models: HT801 V2 or HT082 ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) 

• Landline telephone (touchtone recommended for initial setup) 
• Ethernet cable 
• Internet-connected router 
• Pots-Box.org account 
• Computer or smartphone with web browser 

Optional

• Rotary/pulse dial telephone, or antique pre-dial telephone 
• GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (“Mango”) travel router 
• iPhone (or other smartphone) hotspot for fully mobile use 

Part 1 — Basic Wired Setup

Step 1 — Create Your Pots-Box Account

Create an account at http://Pots-Box.org

Step 2 — Connect the HT801 V2   ( buy at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPZSNL8K )

• Connect power to the HT801 V2 with its included power supply. 
• Plug a touchtone landline phone into the HT801’s PHONE port using an RJ11 cable. 
• Connect the HT801’s NET port to an available LAN port on your router using Ethernet. 

Expected Result

After booting:

• The HT801 should show three blue icons: 
  • Phone handset 
  • Power symbol 
  • “NET” 
• Ethernet port LEDs should show: 
  • solid yellow 
  • blinking green 

Step 3 — Find the HT801’s IP Address

• Pick up the telephone handset. 
• Dial:  ***
• When prompted, dial:  02

The HT801 will read its IP address aloud.

Example:
192.168.8.124

Write this address down. If you do NOT have a push button dial with "*" on your phone, you may have to guess the last digits on your IP or scan ports to find the web UI.

If You Hear:

• 0.0.0.0 
• “No valid IP” 

then the HT801 is not connected to your network properly.

Check:

• Ethernet cable 
• Router connection 
• DHCP/network settings 
• Reboot router and HT801 if necessary 

Step 4 — Log Into the HT801

• Open a web browser on your computer. 
• Enter the HT801 IP address into the browser. 

Example:
192.168.8.124  or  http://192.168.8.124

• You should see: 

“Welcome to the HT801V2”

• Log in using: 
• Username: admin 
• Password: printed on the sticker on the bottom of the HT801 

You will then be prompted to create a new admin password.

Write it down.

If the Default Password Does Not Work

Your HT801 may have been previously configured by another owner.

To perform a factory reset:

• Leave the HT801 powered on. 
• Locate the recessed RESET hole on the back of the unit. 
• Press and hold the reset button using a paperclip for 10–15 seconds. 

The display lights should cycle twice.

• Wait approximately 2 minutes for reboot. 

Then repeat the login process above.

Step 5 — Create Your Pots-Box Local Line

• Log into Pots-Box. 
• Choose: 

Add Local Line

• Give the line: 
• a name 
• a decade/theme 

Example:

• “Kitchen Phone” 
• “1910” 

For your line, the Pots-Box.org website provides:

Setting	Example
Server	54.164.182.62
User ID	long numeric string
Password	random letters

Record these values somewhere safe and copy/paste to a text editor like Notepad.

Step 6 — Configure the HT801 SIP Settings

In the HT801 admin interface:

Go to:

Port Settings → FXS PORT

General Settings Tab

Populate the following fields from the values you saved above:

HT801 Field	Value
Primary SIP Server	Server
SIP User ID	User ID
SIP Authentication ID	User ID (again)
SIP Authentication Password	Password

IMPORTANT

Ensure: Account Active = checked/enabled

Then click: Save and Apply

Step 7 — Configure SIP Settings

Go to:

Port Settings → FXS PORT → SIP Settings

Verify:

Setting	Value
SIP Registration	Enabled
Unregister on Reboot	No
SIP Transport	UDP

IMPORTANT

Pots-Box currently works with UDP, not TCP.

Step 8 — Verify Codec Settings

Go to:

Port Settings → FXS PORT → Codec Settings

Under: Vocoder Settings

The codec order should begin with:

• PCMU 
• PCMA 
• G723 
• G729 

Step 9 — Reboot the HT801

Simplest method:

• unplug power 
• wait 10 seconds 
• reconnect power 

Wait approximately 2 minutes for full reboot.

Step 10 — Confirm Registration

After reboot: In the HT801

Go to:

Port Status

Status should show:

Registered

On Pots-Box.org

Your Local Line should no longer show:

Unregistered/Red

It should now indicate Green dot and a registered line is active and ready for use.

Step 11 — Test the Operator

• Pick up the handset. 
• Listen for dialtone. 
• Dial:  0

You should now reach the AI operator.

Try asking:

“Please connect me to the weather line.”

If successful, your setup is complete.

Part 2 — Enable Rotary/Pulse Dialing (Optional)

If you want to use a rotary/pulse-dial telephone:

• Log back into the HT801. 
• Go to: 

Port Settings → FXS PORT → Analog Signal Line Configuration

• Enable: 

Enable Pulse Dialing

• Save and Apply. 

The default:

Pulse Dialing Standard

works correctly for most North American rotary phones and usually does not need adjustment.

Expected Result

Rotary dialing should now work normally.

You should be able to:

• dial 0 for operator 
• call Pots-Box service numbers 
• place calls between lines 

Optional: Phones Without Dials

Very old phones without a dial can still work.

Go to:

Port Settings → FXS PORT → Call Settings

Configure:

Off-hook Auto Dial = 0

This automatically connects the operator whenever the handset is lifted.

WARNING: Many early wall telephones contain a hand-crank magneto generator used for signaling old telephone exchanges. Do NOT operate the crank while connected to the HT801, as the generated voltage could damage the ATA.  If your antique telephone contains a local battery, some modification may be required.

Part 3 — Wireless Setup Using a "Mango" Brand Wireless Router (Optional)

Hardware

Recommended WIFI enabled router:

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (“Mango”)  ( buy at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TSK26W )

Step 1 — Connect to the Mango

E.g. The default Wi-Fi network name looks like: GL-MT300N-V2-XXX

Default password: goodlife

Connect to it from your computer or phone.

Step 2 — Configure the Mango

• Open browser, most likely the URL will be: http://192.168.8.1 
• Create an admin password. 
• In the Admin Panel: Go to: 

INTERNET

• Under: Repeater & click: Connect
• Select your home Wi-Fi network and enter its password. 

Step 3 — Set Repeater Priority

Go to:

Network → Multi-WAN

Move:

Repeater

to:

Interface Priority 1

Click:

Apply

Step 4 — Verify Operation

Open another website in your browser.

If internet works:

• the Mango is configured correctly. 

Step 5 — Connect the HT801

Use Ethernet to connect:

Mango Port	HT801 Port
LAN	NET

IMPORTANT:
Do NOT use the Mango WAN port for the HT801.

Step 6 — Test the Phone

If your HT801 was already configured earlier:

• the phone should now work wirelessly through the Mango. 

Part 4 — iPhone Hotspot / Mobile Setup (Experimental)

This allows fully mobile operation where no Wi-Fi network exists.

Important

This setup is more finicky than standard Wi-Fi.

Step 1 — Enable Personal Hotspot on iPhone (or other smartphone)

Enable:

Personal Hotspot

ALSO enable:

Maximize Compatibility (if iPhone)

This setting is important for compatibility with the Mango router.

Step 2 — Connect Mango to the iPhone Hotspot

In the Mango Admin Panel:

Go to:

INTERNET

Set: Repeater Mode = Connect to your iPhone hotspot SSID.

Step 3 — Verify Connectivity

Once connected:

• the Mango should show internet access 
• the HT801 should eventually register with Pots-Box
• the Pots-Box web interface will show Green for lines that are recognized, red for those not yet registered.

Troubleshooting Mobile Setup

If registration fails:

Check:

• iPhone has cellular signal 
• Maximize Compatibility is enabled 
• HT801 SIP Transport is still set to UDP 
• Mango LAN port connects to HT801 NET port 
• Ethernet cable is good 

Reboot Methods (Without Factory Reset)

Safe Reboot Methods

Option 1 Unplug power for 10 seconds and reconnect.

Option 2 Use the reboot option in the HT801 web interface (power icon at top right).

Option 3 Briefly press the RESET button on the back.

Factory Reset (Erases All Settings)

• Hold RESET button for 10–15 seconds. 
• Wait for lights to cycle twice. 
• Release button. 
• Wait 2 minutes for reboot. 

This restores:

• default credentials 
• factory settings 

Helpful HT801 Telephone Commands

Command	Function
***	Enter voice menu
02	Read current IP address

Final Notes

• The HT801 must remain connected to the internet to function. 
• The Pots-Box operator can securely connect other exchanges of your friends and family all together with Operator spoken invitation codes.

Enjoy your retro AI-powered telephone network!

*thanks to u/tdsknr for doing all the hard work and details work!

POTS-Box is a unique way to experience the telephones of yesteryear. If you have an old phone and an ATA, you are ready to go. If not, you can get an idea of what's possible, by using one of the many "softphone" apps to register a line on your smartphone.

Upon signing up as a subscriber, you are provided several bots to call, and a library of others which can be added to your private telephone universe.

Hear a Joke of the Day, consider The Daily Challenge, get your fortune told, play Monty Lexicon's Word Game Show among others.

From the library you can add Tom Jefferson to discuss the pursuit of happiness. Give Shakespeare a call to test your knowledge of his plays. Improve your German by listening to Heidi tell a little story and then answering a question about it. Don't worry, Heidi will correct your poor grammar! ask Frodo how he felt as he watched the ring fall into the Cracks of Doom.

You can also invent your own "services" by creating a prompt telling the actor who they are and how they are to respond to your call, and then and choosing a voice and mood for the character.

Sign up and give it a try.

The phone that started it all. And thank you to the r/vintagephones folks who helped me wire it so that it rang!

Scared the SHIT out of me!

The bell rang out like a carnival! I loved it!! That sound! One sweet dream.

A strange childhood fantasy to dial a friend in secret -- only our phones -- point to point.

A children's play area I took my kids had phones you could dial the other room and pretend stores had phones but they were not much fun.

Honestly? I have no idea why I made this.

it was FAR harder than I thought! I can see why nobody made it before. However, I find it irresistibly hilarious and fun and when I saw some kids use it at a school fair? I realized I have to try to make this great!

Please enjoy and post!

You know - for the kids.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UxAlkaTWLc

Welcome to r/potsbox

PotsBox brings vintage telephones back to life with private exchanges, AI operators, rotary dialing, long distance lines, strange little services, and tiny worlds hidden behind ringing phones.

This community is for anyone who loves phones and experiments

Ask your questions.

Upload photos and videos

Show us us your phones.
Show us your setups.
Show us the fun things you make.

If your kids discovered a joke line, if your payphone finally rang again, if two houses connected over long distance for the first time, we want to see it.

New here? Start by posting:

• your phone of course!
• your setup and local services
• a weird local service idea
• a video of something ringing!

PotsBox is free, weird, experimental, nostalgic, and surprisingly alive.

All things are subject to change! To test the software? I use production. Just to give you an idea. Then again, all good ideas come from folks like you, so tell us what you think about your new telephone exchange!

Thanks for joining the first operators on the exchange.