Recordings, intercepts, time/temperature, and cultural curios. For historians, nostalgics, and switchroom romantics.
A grab‑bag of test lines, intercept recordings, time/temperature services, and media easter eggs. Many are legacy Bell System artifacts that still answer with recordings.
Intercept: A recording that plays when a call can’t be completed (e.g., misdial, disconnected number).
ANAC: Automated Number Announcement Circuit — historically read back the caller’s number for technicians.
DMS‑100: A class‑5 digital switch by Northern Telecom; some exchanges exposed test/ident lines.
Numbers are often repurposed, rate‑limited, or local‑chargeable. Don’t abuse automated systems. If a number is reassigned, be kind and take it off your list.
| number | description |
|---|---|
| (202) 762‑1401 | USNO master clock (voice time) |
| (203) 777‑4647 | Time & temp (New Haven, CT) |
| (216) 931‑1212 | WKYC time and weather (Cleveland area) |
| (303) 337‑2500 | Denver Post weather |
| (406) 442‑1730 | Helena, MT time & temp |
| (415) 767‑2676 | “POPCORN” time & temp; today preceded by a brief message |
| number | description |
|---|---|
| (202) 965‑9970 | “You have just deactivated this feature.” |
| (206) 343‑0011 | This call requires a coin deposit (test recording) |
| (213) 223‑6101 | RING A BELL (test ring) |
| (213) 621‑0001 | Classic “We’re sorry…” intercept (not Jane Barbe) |
| (213) 621‑0002 | 1000 Hz @ 0 dB test tone |
| (412) 885‑0075 | “All test positions are unmanned…” |
| (509) 457‑0044 | This call requires a coin deposit… |
| (509) 457‑0045 | Your call cannot be completed as dialed… |
| (509) 457‑0051 | All circuits are busy now… |
| (540) 829‑9910 | Pat Fleet intercept message (genuine) |
| (570) 387‑0000 | “Due to an emergency condition…” |
| (573) 996‑0002 | Party lines notice (yes, really) |
| (573) 996‑0003 | Remote intercept: cannot be completed as dialed |
| (573) 996‑0005 | Remote intercept: call did not go through |
| (573) 996‑0006 | Remote intercept: number not in service |
| (609) 729‑9928 | Long‑distance carrier unable to complete your call |
| (610) 797‑0014 | Please deposit five cents for the next 3 minutes … |
| (718) 816‑9901 | DMS‑100 ident message + area code list (North Staten Island) |
| (800) 437‑9606 | International call cannot be completed as dialed |
| (845) 354‑9912 | Call cannot be completed as dialed… (fast) |
| (914) 232‑9901 | Pleasant Hills DMS‑100 |
| (916) 440‑0031 | Due to facility trouble… |
| number | description |
|---|---|
| (204) 867‑5309 | The “Jenny” song number (may be reassigned) |
| (205) 867‑5309 | Jenny not in service in Birmingham |
| (505) 503‑4455 | “Better Call Saul” |
| (719) 266‑2837 | Hall & Oates Emergency Song Line |
| (800) 444‑4444 | Automated Number Announcement Circuit (ANAC) |
| (877) 763‑2435 | Odd Squad HQ |
| (888) 447‑5594 | “Congratulations, you found your way here” |
| (270) 301‑5797 | “A maze of twisty little touch tones, all different.” |
Plenty of local companies also used in‑house voices or regionally contracted talent; that’s part of why lines vary so much in tone.