Jack Roberts
Moderator - Deceased
There are only a couple and they are only usable near I80.
You could not pay me to carry a cell phone.
Jack
You could not pay me to carry a cell phone.
Jack
Cell Phone Recommendations?
- Thread starter Jay Nistetter
- Start date
scattergunner
New member
Jack, the amount of money these companies bring in is staggering! Even during the years were tech companies were fading, most wireless companies weathered the storm pretty well. They seem to do nothing but expand, with a few exceptions, and are rarely unprofitable. Of course, in today's day and age of inflated profit statements and creative accounting, maybe it looks better than it is. But, sometimes it makes me wish I still had my stock options and was still receiving a paycheck from Verizon. My gun collection would no doubt be much larger if I was, instead of trying to do so on civil servant pay. Of course, I might have several ulcers, a drinking problem, and one or two ex-wives as well. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
cougerbait
New member
I have had all kinds of different phones and service providers. I all ways end up back at verizon. I just got the Moto E815 I think. It is an awesome phone. I asked them for the best reception phone they had. And to date it is the best. Plus you have all the extras. Love the Bluetooth!
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
My wife and I use Cingular as we have no home landline and it provides the best service in our home locale. There are places we wind up with spotty or no service, but I think that is true of most, unless you want to go high-dollar and go to the satellite systems. So far, we have accumulated over 8000 rollover minutes and when I checked into going back to a smaller plan (our contract ends this month), I was told that a lower plan would cost the same as I'm paying now. The CS rep suggested not getting a new contract and just paying my bill each month.
For our normal use, the other services don't have the coverage of Cingular.
For our normal use, the other services don't have the coverage of Cingular.
denjahn
New member
I got this email a few days ago and thought it was interesting
Warning: Never use the cell phone while it is
> > > hooked to the electrical outlet!
> > > That is pretty frightening.
> > > This was checked out on Snopes yes, it did
> > >
> >happen!!(www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/cellcharge.asp
> > > )
> > > Please read!
> > > This was also on Pittsburgh's WTAE channel 4
> > > News.
> > > Never, ever answer a cell phone while it is
> > > being CHARGED!!
> > > A few days ago, a person was recharging his
> > > cell phone at home. Just at that time a call
> > > came and he answered it with the instrument
> > > still connected to the outlet. After a few
> > > seconds electricity flowed into the cell phone
> > > unrestrained and the young man was thrown to
> > > the ground with a heavy thud. His parents
> > > rushed to the
> >room only to find him
> > > unconscious, with a weak heartbeat and burnt
> > > fingers. He was rushed to the nearby hospital,
> > > but was pronounced dead on arrival. Cell
> > > phones are a very useful modern invention.
> > > However, we must be aware that it can also be
> > > an instrument of death.
> > > Never use the cell phone while it is hooked to
> > > the electrical outlet!
> > > FORWARD THIS TO THE PEOPLE THAT MATTER IN YOUR
> > > LIFE, I JUST DID !
www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/cellcharge.asp
Warning: Never use the cell phone while it is
> > > hooked to the electrical outlet!
> > > That is pretty frightening.
> > > This was checked out on Snopes yes, it did
> > >
> >happen!!(www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/cellcharge.asp
> > > )
> > > Please read!
> > > This was also on Pittsburgh's WTAE channel 4
> > > News.
> > > Never, ever answer a cell phone while it is
> > > being CHARGED!!
> > > A few days ago, a person was recharging his
> > > cell phone at home. Just at that time a call
> > > came and he answered it with the instrument
> > > still connected to the outlet. After a few
> > > seconds electricity flowed into the cell phone
> > > unrestrained and the young man was thrown to
> > > the ground with a heavy thud. His parents
> > > rushed to the
> >room only to find him
> > > unconscious, with a weak heartbeat and burnt
> > > fingers. He was rushed to the nearby hospital,
> > > but was pronounced dead on arrival. Cell
> > > phones are a very useful modern invention.
> > > However, we must be aware that it can also be
> > > an instrument of death.
> > > Never use the cell phone while it is hooked to
> > > the electrical outlet!
> > > FORWARD THIS TO THE PEOPLE THAT MATTER IN YOUR
> > > LIFE, I JUST DID !
www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/cellcharge.asp
Last edited:
Used to work in the industry, love/hate relationship with cell phone service.
For long-range rural use, every bit as much of an issue as to what phone works best, is what technology is in use on the local cell sites. Keep in mind that there are only two competing cell tower systems in any area, the rest are just reselling different calling plans off the same two system's towers.
Best I've found locally is Verizon/AT&T, because I can use an older Nokia 6160 in a docking device, pointing an external 10dB YAGI antenna at a tower with mostly 800MHz TDMA digital cellular ports on it, not CDMA and not the higher frequency GSM. TDMA just seems to work better further from the cell tower than the other technologies. If there are still TDMA cell ports where you are Jay, you might try it--but don't get locked into a three year plan or pay too much for the phone!)
Old analog cells worked even further still, but had both clarity and security problems. When my analog phone would see 2 cell towers at once that were too far apart, switching to the closest one as an busy analog port opened up, the cell company's network assumed one of these was a cloned phone and terminated the call. Lots of cutoffs. Used to get roaming charges from cells 125 miles distant with that old analog phone, though. I'd be very surprised if there are still ANY analog ports available locally.
Problem with longer range reception, from the cell companies standpoint, is that it limits the number of cell ports and customers they can have on at any given time in a region, and with the proliferation of phones they've gone to denser cell site overlapping honeycomb grid regimes--with weaker phones. Higher gigahertz radio signals naturally do not propagate as far. And, like with analog ports of a decade ago, as they migrate folks to the new phones, there become fewer and fewer ports on the tower still using TDMA. At some point, it'll all go away, just like analog ports mostly did. But long before then it becomes impractical as there'll often be so few ports available for the number of phones still using it, so that you can't get a lock on a signal a decent percentage of the time. That's how they migrate us to the new technologies. Already way too few cell ports at morning drive time where my antenna is pointing, as it is. (This is why I mention not going for a long-term plan or expensive TDMA phone, if you can even find one anymore, that is).
I've always rather resented the price gouging practices that cell companies all seem to do, each in their own inimitable way, especially on minutes outside of the call-plan bucket, roaming, etc. The hope, as I see it, is that when hybrid WiMax capable phones become available sometime later this year, they might give cell some viable competition and operate better at longer range than most of the data capable cell systems do.
LionHo
For long-range rural use, every bit as much of an issue as to what phone works best, is what technology is in use on the local cell sites. Keep in mind that there are only two competing cell tower systems in any area, the rest are just reselling different calling plans off the same two system's towers.
Best I've found locally is Verizon/AT&T, because I can use an older Nokia 6160 in a docking device, pointing an external 10dB YAGI antenna at a tower with mostly 800MHz TDMA digital cellular ports on it, not CDMA and not the higher frequency GSM. TDMA just seems to work better further from the cell tower than the other technologies. If there are still TDMA cell ports where you are Jay, you might try it--but don't get locked into a three year plan or pay too much for the phone!)
Old analog cells worked even further still, but had both clarity and security problems. When my analog phone would see 2 cell towers at once that were too far apart, switching to the closest one as an busy analog port opened up, the cell company's network assumed one of these was a cloned phone and terminated the call. Lots of cutoffs. Used to get roaming charges from cells 125 miles distant with that old analog phone, though. I'd be very surprised if there are still ANY analog ports available locally.
Problem with longer range reception, from the cell companies standpoint, is that it limits the number of cell ports and customers they can have on at any given time in a region, and with the proliferation of phones they've gone to denser cell site overlapping honeycomb grid regimes--with weaker phones. Higher gigahertz radio signals naturally do not propagate as far. And, like with analog ports of a decade ago, as they migrate folks to the new phones, there become fewer and fewer ports on the tower still using TDMA. At some point, it'll all go away, just like analog ports mostly did. But long before then it becomes impractical as there'll often be so few ports available for the number of phones still using it, so that you can't get a lock on a signal a decent percentage of the time. That's how they migrate us to the new technologies. Already way too few cell ports at morning drive time where my antenna is pointing, as it is. (This is why I mention not going for a long-term plan or expensive TDMA phone, if you can even find one anymore, that is).
I've always rather resented the price gouging practices that cell companies all seem to do, each in their own inimitable way, especially on minutes outside of the call-plan bucket, roaming, etc. The hope, as I see it, is that when hybrid WiMax capable phones become available sometime later this year, they might give cell some viable competition and operate better at longer range than most of the data capable cell systems do.
LionHo
Jay Nistetter
New member
I went to the AllTel store yesterday and it was so busy I left. Did look at some of the phones though. They are all frills.
I just want the one that has the best range or most power. Don't care a thing about text messages, web or vcasting, walkie-talkie. The camera would be OK if it took good quality picture, otherwise it's useless to me.
I have talked to various carriers on occassion and they boast they can beat other plans and when I challenge them on the subject they can't ever come close. 1100 anytime minutes. Evenings start at 7PM. No roam in AZ, NM and parts of TX, UT and CA. for $40.
The phone I have has analog and 2 digital bands whatever that means.
I's switch to Verison if they could make me a deal but I have had good experience with AllTal where I frequent but I have a feeling that part of that good experience is due in part to the actual phone.
I just want the one that has the best range or most power. Don't care a thing about text messages, web or vcasting, walkie-talkie. The camera would be OK if it took good quality picture, otherwise it's useless to me.
I have talked to various carriers on occassion and they boast they can beat other plans and when I challenge them on the subject they can't ever come close. 1100 anytime minutes. Evenings start at 7PM. No roam in AZ, NM and parts of TX, UT and CA. for $40.
The phone I have has analog and 2 digital bands whatever that means.
I's switch to Verison if they could make me a deal but I have had good experience with AllTal where I frequent but I have a feeling that part of that good experience is due in part to the actual phone.
Jack Roberts
Moderator - Deceased
Like; Why do you even need a cell phone?
If you are running a business with employees who need direction it makes sense. Otherwise???????????
Jack
If you are running a business with employees who need direction it makes sense. Otherwise???????????
Jack
scattergunner
New member
Jay,
That is a pretty sweet deal. I think Verizon may have nationwide access without any roaming or long distance program. I know Cingular does, but would not recommend them for use in the rural west, based on my experience. In the past, I was on Verizon plans that gave me regional use without roaming and LD charges. I remember one covered 10 western states. I'm not sure if they have anything presently that would beat what they have.
Most good phones will at least give you ananlog and digital coverage nowadays, if you're using a carrier that has such service on it's system. Sometimes the terms "band" and "frequency" are used interchangably, especially by CS and sales folks. As I understand it, a phone that has analog and dual band digital capabilities means it can switch, as needed, from the analog band, to the CDMA digital band, to the TDMA digital band. More or less, these phones should be compatible with just about any cell coverage, across the globe. I don't know how necessary these phones are for most folks, except for those world travelers amongst use. These phones used to be fairly costly. It may be that the technology has been around long enough that this is a cheaper and more prevailent feature than I realize. What they may have ment is that the phone has the ability to switch between analog, CDMA 1800 mhz, and CDMA 900 mhz. Verizon switched all their phones over to at least having this capabilities a few years back, as in some markets their digital signal is 900 and others it's on 1800. Ultimately, even if it is a true multi-band phone, it will likely have the multi-frequency capability as well. I only bring this up so you're not talked into a more expensive phone that has a feature that you may never have a practical use for, when you're looking at new phones.
I'm like you, I really have no need for all these bells and whistle on phones nowadays. Even when I bought an MP3 player recently, my brother in law questioned why I didn't spend $80 more and get one that's video capable. My answer: "Why in the hell would I want to watch movies on a 2 inch screen?" Just because you can do something, doesn't automatically make it worth doing. That just seems annoying more than anything. All this podcast, vcast stuff doesn't interest me in the least. Most of it seems geered toward the more celebrity worshipping, voyeristic tendancies of our society, if you ask me. If I really need to know something, it can usually wait until I get infont of a book or computer screen. And the cameras on phones, most aren't worth a darn. I can see some possible application, but I think I'll wait until the picture quality capability improves. It seems like most phones have cameras on them lately, and it's not much of an add on, pay extra feature. I wouldn't not get a phone just because it has a camera, but it's not important to me that a phone has a camera. I am starting to think I could use a phone/PDA combo, as of late. But, I'm still mulling over that idea. I never end up writing thing into my planner that I have on my groupwise. It'd be nice to have a personal planner that I could synch to my groupwise. And having one less device or object hanging from my belt or in my pocket wouldn't be a bad idea either.
All in all, call phones and service are just like cars, guns, etc. No matter what brand you go with, you may have a bad experience. Way too many variables with these things to say otherwise. It's hard to leave something that's working for you. I wish I hadn't. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
That is a pretty sweet deal. I think Verizon may have nationwide access without any roaming or long distance program. I know Cingular does, but would not recommend them for use in the rural west, based on my experience. In the past, I was on Verizon plans that gave me regional use without roaming and LD charges. I remember one covered 10 western states. I'm not sure if they have anything presently that would beat what they have.
Most good phones will at least give you ananlog and digital coverage nowadays, if you're using a carrier that has such service on it's system. Sometimes the terms "band" and "frequency" are used interchangably, especially by CS and sales folks. As I understand it, a phone that has analog and dual band digital capabilities means it can switch, as needed, from the analog band, to the CDMA digital band, to the TDMA digital band. More or less, these phones should be compatible with just about any cell coverage, across the globe. I don't know how necessary these phones are for most folks, except for those world travelers amongst use. These phones used to be fairly costly. It may be that the technology has been around long enough that this is a cheaper and more prevailent feature than I realize. What they may have ment is that the phone has the ability to switch between analog, CDMA 1800 mhz, and CDMA 900 mhz. Verizon switched all their phones over to at least having this capabilities a few years back, as in some markets their digital signal is 900 and others it's on 1800. Ultimately, even if it is a true multi-band phone, it will likely have the multi-frequency capability as well. I only bring this up so you're not talked into a more expensive phone that has a feature that you may never have a practical use for, when you're looking at new phones.
I'm like you, I really have no need for all these bells and whistle on phones nowadays. Even when I bought an MP3 player recently, my brother in law questioned why I didn't spend $80 more and get one that's video capable. My answer: "Why in the hell would I want to watch movies on a 2 inch screen?" Just because you can do something, doesn't automatically make it worth doing. That just seems annoying more than anything. All this podcast, vcast stuff doesn't interest me in the least. Most of it seems geered toward the more celebrity worshipping, voyeristic tendancies of our society, if you ask me. If I really need to know something, it can usually wait until I get infont of a book or computer screen. And the cameras on phones, most aren't worth a darn. I can see some possible application, but I think I'll wait until the picture quality capability improves. It seems like most phones have cameras on them lately, and it's not much of an add on, pay extra feature. I wouldn't not get a phone just because it has a camera, but it's not important to me that a phone has a camera. I am starting to think I could use a phone/PDA combo, as of late. But, I'm still mulling over that idea. I never end up writing thing into my planner that I have on my groupwise. It'd be nice to have a personal planner that I could synch to my groupwise. And having one less device or object hanging from my belt or in my pocket wouldn't be a bad idea either.
All in all, call phones and service are just like cars, guns, etc. No matter what brand you go with, you may have a bad experience. Way too many variables with these things to say otherwise. It's hard to leave something that's working for you. I wish I hadn't. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif