The TA-57 is a Soviet-era field telephone. It is a completely analog battery-powered wired system that is highly resistant to electronic interception and jamming.[1]

TA-57 (Полевой Телефонный Аппарат)
TA-57
Main technologies or sub-processesField telephone
Year of invention1957

History

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The first model of the TA-57 rolled out in 1957 for usage by the Soviet Armed Forces.[2]

As of 2022, the TA-57 was reported to be in use by Ukrainian forces in the Russo-Ukrainian War.[1]

It has been documented in human rights reports as a torture device during the conflict, with euphemisms utilizing the TA-57 as a "phone call to Putin" or "call to Lenin".[3][4]

In 2024, a leaked photograph showed one of the suspects accused of the 2024 Crocus City Hall attack being tortured by Russian FSB interrogators by having his genitals electrocuted by a TA-57.[5][6]

Description

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The TA-57 can be used for induction calls working with 2-wire lines in an OB (local battery) or a ZB (central battery) operation. It can be used to transmit voice messaging in ranges between 0.3 and 3.4 kHz, with a calling frequency of 15 to 45 Hz. Absolute signal level at output of transmission path with a 600Ω load ranges between -3 and +3 dBu. It also a has a deployment time of 2 minutes.[7][8][9]

Power is primarily drawn from a 10V lead–acid battery GB-U-1.3 (ГБ-10-У-1.3) with a capacity of 1.3 Ah, alternatively a 9V block battery can be utilized. In OB battery operation, a hand cranked magneto can be used to generate ringing.[7]

The enclosing and body is made of Bakelite and its dimensions measure 22.2 x 16.5 x 7.9 cm, and weighs 2.8 kg.[7][2]

There are multiple cables that are used, which can establish the range of the phone:[7][9]

  • Field cable P-275 (П-275); 20 km range
  • Field cable P-274 (П-274); 40 km range
  • Field cable P-268 (П-268); 40–45 km range
  • Field cable P-271 (П-271); 125 km range
  • Overhead line; up to 170 km range.

With a reception amplifier, the signal range of the phone can increase by 30-50%.[7][9]

It is intended for operation ranging from -40 °C to 50 °C, and a max humidity of 98% at 25 °C.[10]

A modernized variant of it is known as a TA-57U.[10]

Users

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Former users

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Peterson, Nolan (February 7, 2022). "Ukraine's Old School Answers to Russia's Modern Electronic Warfare Weapons". Coffee or Die Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  2. ^ a b c "fieldphones.org - Army Fieldphone Comparison". fieldphones.org. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  3. ^ "Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine" (PDF). UN Office of the High Commissioner. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  4. ^ Times, Русская служба The Moscow (2023-03-16). ""Звонок Путину". ООН раскрыла методы пыток российской армии в Украине". Русская служба The Moscow Times (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  5. ^ a b Krasteva, Gergana (2024-03-25). "Russian terror suspect 'electrocuted by his genitals' during interrogation". Metro. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  6. ^ Stewart, Will; McPolin, Sean (2024-03-25). "Battered 'terrorists' show torture wounds in court after genitals electrocuted". The Mirror. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Raketen- und Waffentechnischer Dienst (RWD) - Feldfernsprecher TA 57". www.rwd-mb3.de. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  8. ^ Handwörterbuch des elektrischen Fernmeldewesens [Concise Dictionary of Electrical Telecommunications] (2nd ed.). Berlin: Bundesministerium für Post und Telekommunikation. 1970. pp. 1209–1210, 1941–1942.
  9. ^ a b c "RusArmy.com - Телефонный аппарат ТА-57". rusarmy.com. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  10. ^ a b "Telephone Device TA-57U". Radiopribor. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Military Telephone TA-57 Military Unknown - CUSTOM BUILT: Soviet |Radiomuseum.org". www.radiomuseum.org. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  12. ^ "TA-57 field telephone". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
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  •   Media related to TA-57 at Wikimedia Commons