Abstract: A telephone recording announcer which has a playback circuit that, when activated, outputs voice storage to a microphone circuit that can be located in a telephone apparatus to which the announcer is connected. The playback circuit is activated by a switch or switches including but not limited to a push button switch and/or an activation switch. The activation switch is linked to the handset of the telephone apparatus by a beam of radiation emitted from a transmitter/detector unit that is attached to the announcer and that is reflected by a reflector on the handset to a sensor attached to the announcer. When the handset is in an off-hook position, the beam of radiation no longer contacts the sensor and the playback circuit is activated. Voice storage is then released to the microphone circuit.