[1977he]

I just joined the forum in an attempt to find out about my Reed switch rain guage. It's  difficult to explain and I can't figure out how to include a picture.  I'll try to describe what it looks like. Upside down cone 5 inches on bottom,  2 inches on top. The top 2 inch has a inner cone directing the water into a 1 inch be 4 inch tube. The overflow of this tube goes down a hose into a 3/4 by 1 inch tube with a Reed swirch glued to top with phone cord attached. When rain fills larger tube to overflow the hose siphon large tube into smaller to turn on Reed switch for a given time. What do I have and what does the phone line do? Ring a bell? Flip a switch. I could send a pic if I could figure it out. Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks