An automatic telephone answering and message recording device is described which permits remote control of the device by providing audible signals to instruct persons, familiar with the spacial code set into the machine, in what sequence to transmit the code from the remote location. The decoding device includes dial pulse responsive detectors which analyze the pulses, and their times of transmission, to provide a control pulse when the proper code has been sent, received, and decoded. The control pulse is used to play back recorded messages, to erase the recorded messages, and to change the announcement message. In one embodiment the dial pulse detectors comprise a plurality of counting wheels with a plurality of holes therein which, when interrogated by a light beam, generates the control signal if the holes in the counting wheels are in alignment.