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- From: sasbge@unx.sas.com (Gantt Edmiston)
- Subject: Re: Cellular phone recommendations
- Sender: news@unx.sas.com (Noter of Newsworthy Events)
- Message-ID: <sasbge.712376350@ant>
- Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 02:19:10 GMT
- Distribution: usa
- References: <1992Jul28.213209.5126@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu>
- Nntp-Posting-Host: ant.unx.sas.com
- Organization: SAS Institute Inc.
- Lines: 66
-
- Barry Thomas <thomasb@ucs.indiana.edu> writes:
-
- >I'm in the market for a cellular phone. It doesn't appear that I have
- >much choice in terms of carrier (GTE Mobilnet), but need help in finding
- >a phone. I need something that can be moved between cars. I assume that
- >limits me to "handheld" or portable models. I'll be using the phone on
- >the road to our other campuses. Some of these are described as "good"
- >reception areas. However, one freq. traveled road is known to be a poor
- >reception area (lots of hills).
-
- *All* cellular phones (hand-held, transportable, hardwired) will have
- problems in low areas. The local carrier should build a cell nearby
- to take care of this if it's a heavily traveled route. You state you
- only have one choice in carriers? Are you in a rural area? How long
- has cellular service been available?
-
- >Prices for both handheld and portable phones seem to be all over the
- >board. I'm looking for any recommendations, questions I should be asking
- >and just general advice.
-
- I have used Motorola "transportable" phones for 4 years and have never been
- disappointed. I currently use a Motorola S2728A transportable. Dual-signal
- strength (0.6 vs 3.0 watt), built in signal strength meter (real handy),
- optional (extra cost) hands-free Mike is, IMHO, a requirement for
- "hands-free" driving! =-). If you cannot afford a hands-free mike,
- regardless of the phone you purchase, by all means, pull off the road
- and complete your call. It really gives all of us who use cellular phones
- a bad name when you got some bozo doing a pretzel imitation whilst
- weaving down the interstate! Realtors are THE worst.
-
- Price? Not sure, for the model listed above, about $250 to 275. This
- does not include battery. For the Motorolas, don't buy the battery from
- the cellular dealer. They want $60-150 for a battery. I went to my
- local Video electronics dealer and purchased the same battery for $30.
- It's the same as the one that goes in my camcorder. BTW, the hands-
- free mike for the Motorola is $40 and worth the price. Also does not
- include the optional trunk mount Antennae Specialists antenna.
- Transportables have a small "rubber duck" antenna that will get
- you by. You will lose some signal strength inside a car.
-
- The beauty of any transportable is that it is full-featured and
- full-powered. I rigged a setup where I mount my "bag" in my trunk
- and I have an extension for the handset and mike (and power) run
- to the proper spots up near me in the car. I can "go mobile" in
- less than 60 seconds (but I rarely do) and re-install the whole
- setup in about 2 minutes. Custom installations required extra
- money unless your handy with car electronics.
-
- The *best* recommendations I can make is to look around the
- parking lots near your work, school or frequent haunts and stop
- the folks getting into and out of cars with cellular antennas. Most
- will be happy to show you their equipment, share wars stories with
- local cellular providers and discuss problem areas for reception.
-
- As for the carrier you mentioned, I have been a GTE Mobilenet customer
- for about 2 years and so far, I am completely satisfied. I had an
- unfortunate falling out with Centel Cellular and vowed to pass that
- on to anyone who asked. You did, so there.
-
- Email me back if you have more questions.
- --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Gantt Edmiston = o | "The fewer the facts, the
- QA Host Systems, V416 x6091 = _ /- _ | stronger ,,, the opinion!"
- SASnet: <sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com> = (_)> (_) | (o o)
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