why autopatches,ham radio, and CB radios are still good

[radioguy]

Why phone patches and ham radio are still good.

There are many areas of the U.S. that still do not have any cell phone
coverage, mostly out west and in the mountains anywhere.

I have a GSM cell phone.

Despite what people in other contries say about just switching sin
cards when you go to another country,

that does not work.

Just like most tv sets sold in the U.S. will not display pal signals
even though most tv sets sold elsewhere will display both pal and
ntsc,

most GSM cell phones sold in the U.S. will not accept any other sim
card and can use only the one it was manufactured with, even though
GSM phones in other countries can accept other sim cards.

Some people take this as the foreigners lieing to them by fraudently
telling them they're able to switch sim cards.

It can't be done. The sim is hardwired or more accurately
hardprogrammed into the GSM cell phones here.

From what I read, the GSM cell phones used to work in Canada although
the cell phone companies did not want you to do that.

So now they have disabled the capability for U.S. GSM cell phone to
roam in Canada.

While I originally thought and stillthink this is the same mentality
of HOAs wanting to control what you own, and would like to be able to
use it in Canada when I visit there, I realized that in this
particular case, it is actually a goood thing.

Since the disabling of the GSM phones being able to acess a Canadian
cell phone tower means people living in border towns won't
accidentally have their phones access the Canadian towers by
theirselves and no longer have to worry about their cell phone service
beinng shut off permanently by the cell phone company for calling from
Canada instead of from the U.S.

When they were never in Canada anyways, and were in the U.S. the whole
time they were making their cell phone calls.

So now if I visit Canada, where my cell phone won't work since I'm up
to date by having new GSM cell phones instead of old CDMA phones, I
would want both mymobile ham radio and mobile CB with me and
installed in my car, just in case certain emergencies come up.

Since I will not have any cell phone coverage up there even if I have
my cell phone with me.

I know both are allowed in Canada from the U.S., however, I will have
to try and check the current rules for U.S. hams and CBs in Mexico
again.

Even if I stay in the U.S., I heard that even as late as this year,
there still aren't many cell phone towers, if any at all, in the
Appalachians, Ozrks, or even the flatlands out west or most other
places out west.

I would want both my ham radio and my CB in my car in that case.

And the ability to be able to do an autopatch where needed and where
accessible.

I guess I should put my CB back in my car.

My guess is where and what you get the most peopleon depends on the
area of the country you're in while you're travelling through it.

In some places, you'll probably need a ham radio, to reach certain
repeaters, where a 4 watt CB will not do.

And in some places, you probably need a CB, where a 2 meter ham radio
will not do.

Even if I could afford a mobile HF ham rig, I most likely would not be
putting something that expensive in my car where thieves can and
probably will steal it.

I would keep it as a base station.

I might take a frs/gmrs radio along to Canada while visiting just for
good measure while visiting, even though those don't go very far.

Of course, all my radios will be coming back to the U.S. with me when
I come back, as long as they don't get confiscated first.

I'm not getting rid of any of my two-way radios yet.

[Geoffrey S. Mendelson]

Post by radioguy
I have a GSM cell phone.
Despite what people in other contries say about just switching sin
cards when you go to another country,
that does not work.

Actually it works fine. The problem that you are having is because you
are trying to put a foreign SIM in a phone that was sold to you at a discount
by a cellular service provider. In order to prevent you from taking their
phone and selling it on eBay, they lock it to SIMs provided by them.

If you were to buy an unlocked phone, or have your service provider (SP)
remove the SP lock, then it would would fine.

People who travel know this and either buy an unlocked US GSM phone
(850/1900mHz), or buy a multiband phone that includes the US bands.
If you have a EU only (900/1800) phone, you can often rent a US one
for little money or free from your SP.

There also is a question about 3g Networks, there are two different bands
used in different places. I think the US uses 1900mHz, the EU etc use 2100 mHz.

As for coverage, there are in the US two GSM bands. 1900mHz bands cover
about 80% of the population, but around 20% of the area. 850mHz covers
the old AT&T Wirless network coverage area, which is more than 99% of
the US.

However there is no such thing as 100% coverage anywhere with cell phones,
if you want that you have to use a satellite phone. The best are combined
satellite and quad band GSM with roaming agreements, so when you are within
the coverage area of any GSM network you use that, but if you are in one
of the few (in the US), or many outside, areas without GSM coverage, you
use the satellite.

Geoff.

[Brenda Ann]

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson
People who travel know this and either buy an unlocked US GSM phone
(850/1900mHz), or buy a multiband phone that includes the US bands.
If you have a EU only (900/1800) phone, you can often rent a US one
for little money or free from your SP.
There also is a question about 3g Networks, there are two different bands
used in different places. I think the US uses 1900mHz, the EU etc use 2100 mHz.
As for coverage, there are in the US two GSM bands. 1900mHz bands cover
about 80% of the population, but around 20% of the area. 850mHz covers
the old AT&T Wirless network coverage area, which is more than 99% of
the US.
However there is no such thing as 100% coverage anywhere with cell phones,
if you want that you have to use a satellite phone. The best are combined
satellite and quad band GSM with roaming agreements, so when you are within
the coverage area of any GSM network you use that, but if you are in one
of the few (in the US), or many outside, areas without GSM coverage, you
use the satellite.

No GSM phones here... can't remember what the protocol they use here is, but
it doesn't work anywhere else, and nobody else's phones work here. Not sure
what the law here is regarding satellite phones.

[Geoffrey S. Mendelson]

Post by Brenda Ann
No GSM phones here... can't remember what the protocol they use here is, but
it doesn't work anywhere else, and nobody else's phones work here. Not sure
what the law here is regarding satellite phones.

Where is here?

The OP was discussing the US, and bringing phones from outside the US, so
I focused on that.

BTW, back before we had GSM service here (Israel), the companies we had
used NAMPS and DAMPS. They both would provide you a GSM phone and a SIM
if you want to use them outside of the country.

The company I worked for had several people who traveled often, so we
rented tri band GSM phones from them and got a SIM for each of us.

Geoff.

[radioguy]

On Jan 3, 11:09 am, ***@mendelson.com (Geoffrey S. Mendelson) wrote:
does not work.

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson
Actually it works fine. The problem that you are having is because you
are trying to put a foreign SIM in a phone that was sold to you at a discount
by a cellular service provider. In order to prevent you from taking their
phone and selling it on eBay, they lock it to SIMs provided by them.

wrong. I paid full price for my GSM cell phone. I did NOT get any
discounts on it at all. There is not any slot to put sim
cards into. Not even if you tak it apart. There is no any way to
reprogram the sim number associated with the cell phone, not even if
you take
it apart.

And it IS a multi-band cell phone.

These are the GSM phones sold in the U.S.

So there is no way to bring our U.S. cell phones to Europe or
Australia or anywhere else in the world and use it there by just
puttting in
a different sim card (oer different sim number) like the Eurropeas and
Australians and the reast of the world say we can.

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson
If you were to buy an unlocked phone, or have your service provider (SP)
remove the SP lock, then it would would fine.

The GSM cell phones sold in the U.S. an NOT be unlocke, even if you
try taking them apart to do it. The cell phone companies won't allow
it, even though the law here requires otherwise. So I don't know how
they get away with it, but they do.

Cell phone ompanies even frecently iled a lawsuit against the U.S.
Congress for passing such a law that says unlocked phones must be
allowed.

The outcome of that hasn't been decided yet.

However, it's still weird, because lawyers have told us that by law,
no one is allowed to sue the U.S. government and that no one is
allowed to sue anyone who is working for the U.S. government.

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson
People who travel know this and either buy an unlocked US GSM phone
(850/1900mHz), or buy a multiband phone that includes the US bands.
If you have a EU only (900/1800) phone, you can often rent a US one
for little money or free from your SP.
There also is a question about 3g Networks, there are two different bands
used in different places. I think the US uses 1900mHz, the EU etc use 2100 mHz.
As for coverage, there are in the US two GSM bands. 1900mHz bands cover
about 80% of the population, but around 20% of the area. 850mHz covers
the old AT&T Wirless network coverage area, which is more than 99% of
the US.
However there is no such thing as 100% coverage anywhere with cell phones,
if you want that you have to use a satellite phone. The best are combined
satellite and quad band GSM with roaming agreements, so when you are within
the coverage area of any GSM network you use that, but if you are in one
of the few (in  the US), or many outside, areas without GSM coverage, you
use the satellite.
Geoff.
--

[Geoffrey S. Mendelson]

Post by radioguy
wrong. I paid full price for my GSM cell phone. I did NOT get any
discounts on it at all. There is not any slot to put sim
cards into. Not even if you tak it apart. There is no any way to
reprogram the sim number associated with the cell phone, not even if
you take
it apart.

Then it is NOT a GSM cell phone. The GSM specification includes a smartcard
subscriber identity module (SIM), which minimally includes enough information
that the phone system can identify the unqiue phone, which ultimately gives
it a telephone number, etc, a caller directory, a record of SMS messages
sent and received, etc.

Post by radioguy
And it IS a multi-band cell phone.
These are the GSM phones sold in the U.S.

It could be a TDMA or CDMA phone, in the U.S. they use 800 and 1900 mHz.

Post by radioguy
So there is no way to bring our U.S. cell phones to Europe or
Australia or anywhere else in the world and use it there by just
puttting in
a different sim card (oer different sim number) like the Eurropeas and
Australians and the reast of the world say we can.

Sure you can. I know people who do it all the time, both ways.

Post by radioguy
The GSM cell phones sold in the U.S. an NOT be unlocke, even if you
try taking them apart to do it. The cell phone companies won't allow
it, even though the law here requires otherwise. So I don't know how
they get away with it, but they do.

They are not GSM phones. GSM service providers will unlock phones, for
example Cingular, for a fee, or in some cases for free. There is also a
booming business of ilicit phone unlocking, unlocking equipment, etc.

In fact, GSM is not the only system that uses SIM cards, Motorola's MIRS
network (called iDen in the US) also uses them. That causes a lot of confusion
when people bring iDEN phones here and expect to use them on a GSM network.

BTW, one of our SP's operates an 800mHz CDMA network and has roaming agreements
with US SP's. A friend of mine was here in April and his us CDMA phone roamed
onto their network when he turned it on. It was so expensive to use, he
bought a GSM pay as you go phone for himself and his wife anyway.

I'm going to speculate here, but I expect that if anyone is lying it was the
person who sold you the phone.

Geoff.

[radioguy]

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson

Post by radioguy
wrong. I paid full price for my GSM cell phone. I did NOT get any
discounts on it at all. There is not any slot to put sim
cards into. Not even if you tak it apart. There is no any way to
reprogram the sim number associated with the cell phone, not even if
you take
 it apart.

Then it is NOT a GSM cell phone.

Yes it is. It says so.

The GSM specification includes a smartcard

Not in the U.S.

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson
subscriber identity module (SIM), which minimally includes enough information
that the phone system can identify the unqiue phone, which ultimately gives
it a telephone number, etc, a caller directory, a record of SMS messages
sent and received, etc.

Yes,

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson

Post by radioguy
And it IS a multi-band cell phone.
These are the GSM phones sold in the U.S.

It could be a TDMA or CDMA phone, in the U.S. they use 800 and 1900 mHz.

It's definitely not a TDMA or CDMA phone. It even says it is a GSM
phone.

And it can't be "unlocked".

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson

Post by radioguy
So there is no way to bring our U.S. cell phones to Europe or
Australia or anywhere else in the world and use it there by just
puttting in
a different sim card (oer different sim number) like the Eurropeas and
Australians and the reast of the world say we can.

Sure you can. I know people who do it all the time, both ways.

Post by radioguy
The GSM cell phones sold in the U.S. an NOT be unlocke, even if you
try taking them apart to do it. The cell phone companies won't allow
it, even though the law here requires otherwise. So I don't know how
they get away with it, but they do.

They are not GSM phones.

They say they are GS M phones.

GSM service providers will unlock phones, for

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson
example Cingular, for a fee, or in some cases for free.

Elsewhere they do. In the U.S., GSM service providers have filed a
lawsuit against the U.S. government for passing a law saying they must
allow unlocked phones if the phones can be unlocked.

So of course they now make them where they can't be unlocked at all.
That way they're not violating the law.

There is also a

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson
booming business of ilicit phone unlocking, unlocking equipment, etc.
In fact, GSM is not the only system that uses SIM cards, Motorola's MIRS
network (called iDen in the US) also uses them. That causes a lot of confusion
when people bring iDEN phones here and expect to use them on a GSM network.
BTW, one of our SP's operates an 800mHz CDMA network and has roaming agreements
with US SP's. A friend of mine was here in April and his us CDMA phone roamed
onto their network when he turned it on. It was so expensive to use, he
bought a GSM pay as you go phone for himself and his wife anyway.
I'm going to speculate here, but I expect that if anyone is lying it was the
person who sold you the phone.

The manufactrer and service provider both did if they're not GSM
phones.

However, I don't think they did in that case.

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson
Geoff.
--

[radioguy]

It's a shame most autopatches were disconnected from most ham
repeaters.

Autopatches were good for getting at least some HOAs off your back for
using your ht while portable.

When they say something to you about it, just tell them it's your cell
phone, then proceed to use the autopatch to call your wife or friend.

You're not really lieing.

After all, the cell phone companies copied the technology they're
using from ham radio.

If they ask why they can hear the other side talking also, just tell
them it's a speaker cell phone.

There's plenty of those around. My cell phone does do it. And now my
regular landline phone does it also.

[radioguy]

I'm also sick of everyone saying "just use a payphone".

There are hardly any pay phones around anymore. There used to be lots.
Now there's almost none. Sure, the little booths that say "phone" are
still
there, but the actual phones are not.

And cell phone coverage does not work everywhere.

In a fify mile radius, I have only found one pay phone recently.

Places that used to have them have either taken them entirely out or
have left the booths but taken out the phones.

And yes, they used to be there years ago. I've seen them at those
places back then.

And when you can find a pay phone anymore, they usually don't work
anymore.

No dial tone.

[Brenda Ann]

Post by radioguy
I'm also sick of everyone saying "just use a payphone".
There are hardly any pay phones around anymore. There used to be lots.
Now there's almost none. Sure, the little booths that say "phone" are
still
there, but the actual phones are not.
And cell phone coverage does not work everywhere.
In a fify mile radius, I have only found one pay phone recently.
Places that used to have them have either taken them entirely out or
have left the booths but taken out the phones.
And yes, they used to be there years ago. I've seen them at those
places back then.
And when you can find a pay phone anymore, they usually don't work
anymore.
No dial tone.

Most of the pay phones are for sale on ebay.. :)

[Geoffrey S. Mendelson]

Post by radioguy
There are hardly any pay phones around anymore. There used to be lots.
Now there's almost none. Sure, the little booths that say "phone" are
still
there, but the actual phones are not.

Here that has led to people putting in private pay phones in their store
or restaurant. Some places that have seating or displays outside, such as
the corner "minimarket" have them outside. However as soon as they close,
the phone goes into the store and is locked up for the night.

Of course we don't have the street crime problem the US has.

Geoff.

[Brenda Ann]

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson

Post by radioguy
There are hardly any pay phones around anymore. There used to be lots.
Now there's almost none. Sure, the little booths that say "phone" are
still
there, but the actual phones are not.

Here that has led to people putting in private pay phones in their store
or restaurant. Some places that have seating or displays outside, such as
the corner "minimarket" have them outside. However as soon as they close,
the phone goes into the store and is locked up for the night.
Of course we don't have the street crime problem the US has.
Geoff.

They have the same thing here in S. Korea. There are Korea Telecom phone
booths (none that I have seen use coins, they use something simiar to a
credit card), but the vast majority of phone booths here are owned by
businesses that set them out with their displays during business hours, and
take them in at night. Those DO use coins, but of course since they are
always in a spot where they are supervised, there isn't much of a theft
problem.

[RHF]

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson

Post by radioguy
There are hardly any pay phones around anymore. There used to be lots.
Now there's almost none. Sure, the little booths that say "phone" are
still
there, but the actual phones are not.

Here that has led to people putting in private pay phones in their store
or restaurant. Some places that have seating or displays outside, such as
the corner "minimarket" have them outside. However as soon as they close,
the phone goes into the store and is locked up for the night.
Of course we don't have the street crime problem the US has.
Geoff.

They have the same thing here in S. Korea.  There are Korea Telecom phone
booths (none that I have seen use coins, they use something simiar to a
credit card), but the vast majority of phone booths here are owned by
businesses that set them out with their displays during business hours, and
take them in at night. Those DO use coins, but of course since they are
always in a spot where they are supervised, there isn't much of a theft
problem.

.
The 'local' 7/11 which is 24/7 has a Payphone just
outside the Window in-front of the Check-Out Area.
.
The Pay-Phones that use the Pre-Paid {Debit} Card
Idea is good : No Cash = No Stealing
.
Considering that a Pay-Phone could cost 50 Cents
for a 'local' Call. Then a Pre-Paid Cellphone can be
just as Cost Effective and much more 'portable'. ~ RHF
.
-ps- For 99.73% of the US Population a Cellphone
is going to offer much more day-to-day utility then
a 'local' neighborhood Ham or even a Pay-Phone.

Once again, in a typical 'local' Neighborhood with
1000 Residences 3K~5K Population having the
Choice of 8~13 Hams* in an Emergency -or-
Collectively 30~50 Citizens with FRS Radios
and 30~50 Citizens with GMRS Radios and
30~50 Citizens with CB Radios [Total 3%]
I would 'chose' the Collection of 90~150 Citizens
to get the "Help Is On The Way" Job Done then
just a few Hams.
IMHO - Active Involved 'local' Neighbors {Citizenry}
Always Trumps a Few White Knights.
Plus Add-In 1000 Citizens with Cellphones and there
is No Question About Who Can Communicate more
Effectively.
* Number of US Amateur Radio Operators : 722,330
-circa- 2007 [ 722,330 / 300,000,000 = 0.24%]
Note - That is less-than 1/4 of One Percent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_operator
.
FEMA needs to have a Contract with the Cellphone
Companies to have Emergency 'portable' Cellphone
Towers and a Special All Carrier ### just for FEMA
Emergency Help Calls to Un-Burden the 911 System
and the Local Responders Workload.
.
The FCC needs to require that 25% of All Cellphone
Towers have 1~ 2 Days of Emergency {Back-Up)
Power to provide a 'basic' level of Emergency Services
for 911 Calls and Emergency Help and Relief.
.
But the Number One Priority for 99.73% of the 'local'
Neighborhood Population is News and Information
about the Emergency from the AM&FM Radio and
TV Stations -so- having an Emergency "Crank-Up"
AM&FM Radio in the Home is Job # 1.
.
idtars ~ RHF
.

[Dave]

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson

Post by radioguy
There are hardly any pay phones around anymore. There used to be lots.
Now there's almost none. Sure, the little booths that say "phone" are
still
there, but the actual phones are not.

Here that has led to people putting in private pay phones in their store
or restaurant. Some places that have seating or displays outside, such as
the corner "minimarket" have them outside. However as soon as they close,
the phone goes into the store and is locked up for the night.
Of course we don't have the street crime problem the US has.
Geoff.

Neither do we. "Street crime" is an urban phenomenon; half of
Americans do not live in central cities and their first ring of suburbs.

[radioguy]

Post by Geoffrey S. Mendelson

Post by radioguy
There are hardly any pay phones around anymore. There used to be lots.
Now there's almost none. Sure, the little booths that say "phone" are
still
there, but the actual phones are not.

Here that has led to people putting in private pay phones in their store
or restaurant. Some places that have seating or displays outside, such as
the corner "minimarket" have them outside. However as soon as they close,
the phone goes into the store and is locked up for the night.
Of course we don't have the street crime problem the US has.
Geoff.
--

Where I'm at in the U.S., the stores and restaurants have removed
their pay phones completely. Or maybe it was the phone company who
removed them.

However, at least in my area, it was not because of any crime. It's
because so many people use cell phones now, the regular phone company
doesn't make hardly any profit from pay phones like they used to.

[Who Ville]

Post by radioguy
Why phone patches and ham radio are still good.
There are many areas of the U.S. that still do not have any cell phone
coverage, mostly out west and in the mountains anywhere.
I have a GSM cell phone.
Despite what people in other contries say about just switching sin
cards when you go to another country,
that does not work.
Just like most tv sets sold in the U.S. will not display pal signals
even though most tv sets sold elsewhere will display both pal and
ntsc,
most GSM cell phones sold in the U.S. will not accept any other sim
card and can use only the one it was manufactured with, even though
GSM phones in other countries can accept other sim cards.
Some people take this as the foreigners lieing to them by fraudently
telling them they're able to switch sim cards.
It can't be done. The sim is hardwired or more accurately
hardprogrammed into the GSM cell phones here.
From what I read, the GSM cell phones used to work in Canada although
the cell phone companies did not want you to do that.
So now they have disabled the capability for U.S. GSM cell phone to
roam in Canada.
While I originally thought and stillthink this is the same mentality
of HOAs wanting to control what you own, and would like to be able to
use it in Canada when I visit there, I realized that in this
particular case, it is actually a goood thing.
Since the disabling of the GSM phones being able to acess a Canadian
cell phone tower means people living in border towns won't
accidentally have their phones access the Canadian towers by
theirselves and no longer have to worry about their cell phone service
beinng shut off permanently by the cell phone company for calling from
Canada instead of from the U.S.
When they were never in Canada anyways, and were in the U.S. the whole
time they were making their cell phone calls.
So now if I visit Canada, where my cell phone won't work since I'm up
to date by having new GSM cell phones instead of old CDMA phones, I
would want both mymobile ham radio and mobile CB with me and
installed in my car, just in case certain emergencies come up.
Since I will not have any cell phone coverage up there even if I have
my cell phone with me.
I know both are allowed in Canada from the U.S., however, I will have
to try and check the current rules for U.S. hams and CBs in Mexico
again.
Even if I stay in the U.S., I heard that even as late as this year,
there still aren't many cell phone towers, if any at all, in the
Appalachians, Ozrks, or even the flatlands out west or most other
places out west.
I would want both my ham radio and my CB in my car in that case.
And the ability to be able to do an autopatch where needed and where
accessible.
I guess I should put my CB back in my car.
My guess is where and what you get the most peopleon depends on the
area of the country you're in while you're travelling through it.
In some places, you'll probably need a ham radio, to reach certain
repeaters, where a 4 watt CB will not do.
And in some places, you probably need a CB, where a 2 meter ham radio
will not do.
Even if I could afford a mobile HF ham rig, I most likely would not be
putting something that expensive in my car where thieves can and
probably will steal it.
I would keep it as a base station.
I might take a frs/gmrs radio along to Canada while visiting just for
good measure while visiting, even though those don't go very far.
Of course, all my radios will be coming back to the U.S. with me when
I come back, as long as they don't get confiscated first.
I'm not getting rid of any of my two-way radios yet.

The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving
piggy and traffic reports. Autopatches are no longer needed due to the
fact that
99% of the people have cellphones. Amateur Radio in my area is dead on 2
and 440,
I can careless about HF due to the fact of CB Radio DX.

Who Ville - The unknown Ham!

[radioguy]

Post by Who Ville
The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving
piggy and traffic reports. Autopatches are no longer needed due to the
fact that
99% of the people have cellphones. Amateur Radio in my area is dead on 2
and 440,
I can careless about HF due to the fact of CB Radio DX.
Who Ville - The unknown Ham!

Yes, the amateur radio in my area also seems dead on 2 meters and 70
centimetees. Well, almost dead.

However, the statement that autopatches are no longer needed is a
mistaken belief.

Yes, I read that most ham repeates have removed the autopatches from
theie repeaters, even out west and in the mountains because 99 percent
of the people today have cell phones.

However, I doubt that 99 percent number since there is still not any
cell phone coverage most places out west or most places in the
mountains, either.

Why would those peopl buy a cell phone when there isn't any cell phone
service there?

Even if 99 percent of the people did have cdell phones, they still
would not work in the mountains nor most places out west, whether flat
or mountainous, simply because there are not any cell phone towes o
companies providing any cell phone service out there.

When shopping for a new cell phne, I looked at the coverage maps of
the phones, both the old analog and the new digital GSM phones.
In both cases, there was veither very sparse coverage in the
mountains, and out in the west period, whether flatland or mountains,
or no coverage
at all in the mountains or out west period whether flatland or in the
mountains.

[Brenda Ann]

Post by radioguy

Post by Who Ville
The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving

However, I doubt that 99 percent number since there is still not any
cell phone coverage most places out west or most places in the
mountains, either.
Why would those peopl buy a cell phone when there isn't any cell phone
service there?
Even if 99 percent of the people did have cdell phones, they still
would not work in the mountains nor most places out west, whether flat
or mountainous, simply because there are not any cell phone towes o
companies providing any cell phone service out there.

The penetration of cell phones in the US is nowhere NEAR 99%.. I doubt
seriously it's over 50%. At least online article puts it at 81% of the US
population owning cell phones, but I'm certain that does not take into
account that many people own more than one cell phone. Now then, here in the
land of the morning calm, I could give credence to nearly universal cell
phone ownership, since I see young kids (5-6 years old) walking around here
in my little (only about 20,000) burg with cell phones, and you won't see
one of those "kiddie" phones that only call three numbers, either..

[an_old_friend]

Post by Brenda Ann

Post by radioguy

Post by Who Ville
The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving

However, I doubt that 99 percent number since there is still not any
cell phone coverage most places out west or most places in the
mountains, either.
Why would those peopl buy a cell phone when there isn't any cell phone
service there?
Even if 99 percent of the people did have cdell phones, they still
would not work in the mountains nor most places out west, whether flat
or mountainous, simply because there are not any cell phone towes o
companies providing any cell phone service out there.

The penetration of cell phones in the US is nowhere NEAR 99%.. I doubt
seriously it's over 50%.  At least online article puts it at 81% of the US
population owning cell phones, but I'm certain that does not take into
account that many people own more than one cell phone. Now then, here in the
land of the morning calm, I could give credence to nearly universal cell
phone ownership, since I see young kids (5-6 years old) walking around here
in my little (only about 20,000) burg with cell phones, and you won't see
one of those "kiddie" phones that only call three numbers, either..

esp at ground levl

forexample i can get cell service but on on my upper padio

[Dave]

Post by an_old_friend

Post by Brenda Ann

Post by radioguy

Post by Who Ville
The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving

However, I doubt that 99 percent number since there is still not any
cell phone coverage most places out west or most places in the
mountains, either.
Why would those peopl buy a cell phone when there isn't any cell phone
service there?
Even if 99 percent of the people did have cdell phones, they still
would not work in the mountains nor most places out west, whether flat
or mountainous, simply because there are not any cell phone towes o
companies providing any cell phone service out there.

The penetration of cell phones in the US is nowhere NEAR 99%.. I doubt
seriously it's over 50%. At least online article puts it at 81% of the US
population owning cell phones, but I'm certain that does not take into
account that many people own more than one cell phone. Now then, here in the
land of the morning calm, I could give credence to nearly universal cell
phone ownership, since I see young kids (5-6 years old) walking around here
in my little (only about 20,000) burg with cell phones, and you won't see
one of those "kiddie" phones that only call three numbers, either..

esp at ground levl
forexample i can get cell service but on on my upper padio

AT&T has no coverage here. I live 30 minutes from Hollywood and I can't
use an I-Phone.

[David Eduardo]

Post by Dave

Post by an_old_friend

Post by Brenda Ann

Post by radioguy

Post by Who Ville
The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving

However, I doubt that 99 percent number since there is still not any
cell phone coverage most places out west or most places in the
mountains, either.
Why would those peopl buy a cell phone when there isn't any cell phone
service there?
Even if 99 percent of the people did have cdell phones, they still
would not work in the mountains nor most places out west, whether flat
or mountainous, simply because there are not any cell phone towes o
companies providing any cell phone service out there.

The penetration of cell phones in the US is nowhere NEAR 99%.. I doubt
seriously it's over 50%. At least online article puts it at 81% of the US
population owning cell phones, but I'm certain that does not take into
account that many people own more than one cell phone. Now then, here in the
land of the morning calm, I could give credence to nearly universal cell
phone ownership, since I see young kids (5-6 years old) walking around here
in my little (only about 20,000) burg with cell phones, and you won't see
one of those "kiddie" phones that only call three numbers, either..

esp at ground levl
forexample i can get cell service but on on my upper padio

AT&T has no coverage here. I live 30 minutes from Hollywood and I can't
use an I-Phone.

I can see the skyline of downtown LA, and can't use my iPhone at home.

[Dave]

Post by David Eduardo

Post by Dave
AT&T has no coverage here. I live 30 minutes from Hollywood and I
can't use an I-Phone.

I can see the skyline of downtown LA, and can't use my iPhone at home.

Haha. You bought a Jesus Phone.

[David Eduardo]

Post by Dave

Post by David Eduardo

Post by Dave
AT&T has no coverage here. I live 30 minutes from Hollywood and I can't
use an I-Phone.

I can see the skyline of downtown LA, and can't use my iPhone at home.

Haha. You bought a Jesus Phone.

A Jesus phone? Not familiar with that term.

In any case, I have always forwarded my cell phone to my home phone when
there, which allows me to be anywhere in the house without dragging the
cellular with me.

[Dave]

Post by David Eduardo
A Jesus phone? Not familiar with that term.
In any case, I have always forwarded my cell phone to my home phone when
there, which allows me to be anywhere in the house without dragging the
cellular with me.

You need to start reading the trades.

http://search.theregister.co.uk/?q=jesus+phone

[RHF]

Post by Brenda Ann

Post by radioguy

Post by Who Ville
The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving

However, I doubt that 99 percent number since there is still not any
cell phone coverage most places out west or most places in the
mountains, either.
Why would those peopl buy a cell phone when there isn't any cell phone
service there?
Even if 99 percent of the people did have cdell phones, they still
would not work in the mountains nor most places out west, whether flat
or mountainous, simply because there are not any cell phone towes o
companies providing any cell phone service out there.

The penetration of cell phones in the US is nowhere NEAR 99%.. I doubt
seriously it's over 50%. At least online article puts it at 81% of the US
population owning cell phones, but I'm certain that does not take into
account that many people own more than one cell phone. Now then, here in the
land of the morning calm, I could give credence to nearly universal cell
phone ownership, since I see young kids (5-6 years old) walking around here
in my little (only about 20,000) burg with cell phones, and you won't see
one of those "kiddie" phones that only call three numbers, either..

- = R A N T = -

America's Senior Citizens Need Big Number and Big Display Cellphones

The Biggest untapped Cellphone Market in the USA is Seniors
who what a simple Big Number and Big Display Cellphone that
they can See and Use Easily like the "JitterBug" Cellphone.
http://www.jitterbug.com/Phones/.

The FCC and Each US States Department of Consumer Affairs
and Public Utilities Commissions should require that All
Cellphone Service Providers are required to offer at least
one Cellphone for America's Senior Citizens who need an
Easy-to-See and Simple-to-Use with Big Key Numbers and
a Big Digit {Numbers and Letters} Display. -end-of-rant-

the 'ada' should be applied to cellphones and cellphone
service providers for senior citizens ~ RHF
.

[RHF]

Post by RHF

Post by Brenda Ann

Post by radioguy

Post by Who Ville
The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving

However, I doubt that 99 percent number since there is still not any
cell phone coverage most places out west or most places in the
mountains, either.
Why would those peopl buy a cell phone when there isn't any cell phone
service there?
Even if 99 percent of the people did have cdell phones, they still
would not work in the mountains nor most places out west, whether flat
or mountainous, simply because there are not any cell phone towes o
companies providing any cell phone service out there.

The penetration of cell phones in the US is nowhere NEAR 99%.. I doubt
seriously it's over 50%.  At least online article puts it at 81% of the US
population owning cell phones, but I'm certain that does not take into
account that many people own more than one cell phone. Now then, here in the
land of the morning calm, I could give credence to nearly universal cell
phone ownership, since I see young kids (5-6 years old) walking around here
in my little (only about 20,000) burg with cell phones, and you won't see
one of those "kiddie" phones that only call three numbers, either..

- = R A N T = -
America's Senior Citizens Need Big Number and Big Display Cellphones
The Biggest untapped Cellphone Market in the USA is Seniors
who what a simple Big Number and Big Display Cellphone that
they can See and Use Easily like the "JitterBug" Cellphone.http://www.jitterbug.com/Phones/.
The FCC and Each US States Department of Consumer Affairs
and Public Utilities Commissions should require that All
Cellphone Service Providers are required to offer at least
one Cellphone for America's Senior Citizens who need an
Easy-to-See and Simple-to-Use with Big Key Numbers and
a Big Digit {Numbers and Letters} Display. -end-of-rant-
the 'ada' should be applied to cellphones and cellphone
service providers for senior citizens ~ RHF
  .

Cell phones: Cell Phone for Older Folks,
or for Handicapped Folks
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7817_102-0.html?forumID=74&threadID=194421&messageID=2097511
.

[RHF]

Post by RHF

Post by RHF

Post by Brenda Ann

Post by radioguy

Post by Who Ville
The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving

However, I doubt that 99 percent number since there is still not any
cell phone coverage most places out west or most places in the
mountains, either.
Why would those peopl buy a cell phone when there isn't any cell phone
service there?
Even if 99 percent of the people did have cdell phones, they still
would not work in the mountains nor most places out west, whether flat
or mountainous, simply because there are not any cell phone towes o
companies providing any cell phone service out there.

The penetration of cell phones in the US is nowhere NEAR 99%.. I doubt
seriously it's over 50%.  At least online article puts it at 81% of the US
population owning cell phones, but I'm certain that does not take into
account that many people own more than one cell phone. Now then, here in the
land of the morning calm, I could give credence to nearly universal cell
phone ownership, since I see young kids (5-6 years old) walking around here
in my little (only about 20,000) burg with cell phones, and you won't see
one of those "kiddie" phones that only call three numbers, either..

- = R A N T = -
America's Senior Citizens Need Big Number and Big Display Cellphones
The Biggest untapped Cellphone Market in the USA is Seniors
who what a simple Big Number and Big Display Cellphone that
they can See and Use Easily like the "JitterBug" Cellphone.http://www.jitterbug.com/Phones/.
The FCC and Each US States Department of Consumer Affairs
and Public Utilities Commissions should require that All
Cellphone Service Providers are required to offer at least
one Cellphone for America's Senior Citizens who need an
Easy-to-See and Simple-to-Use with Big Key Numbers and
a Big Digit {Numbers and Letters} Display. -end-of-rant-
the 'ada' should be applied to cellphones and cellphone
service providers for senior citizens ~ RHF
  .

Cell phones: Cell Phone for Older Folks,
or for Handicapped Folkshttp://forums.cnet.com/5208-7817_102-0.html?forumID=74&threadID=19442...
 .

Handi-Capable Cell Phones For Those With . . .
Special Needs like America's Senior Citizens
http://www.insiderreports.com/storypage.asp?storyID=20001671&ChanID=HQ
.

[RHF]

Post by RHF

Post by RHF

Post by RHF

Post by Brenda Ann

Post by radioguy

Post by Who Ville
The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving

However, I doubt that 99 percent number since there is still not any
cell phone coverage most places out west or most places in the
mountains, either.
Why would those peopl buy a cell phone when there isn't any cell phone
service there?
Even if 99 percent of the people did have cdell phones, they still
would not work in the mountains nor most places out west, whether flat
or mountainous, simply because there are not any cell phone towes o
companies providing any cell phone service out there.

The penetration of cell phones in the US is nowhere NEAR 99%.. I doubt
seriously it's over 50%.  At least online article puts it at 81% of the US
population owning cell phones, but I'm certain that does not take into
account that many people own more than one cell phone. Now then, here in the
land of the morning calm, I could give credence to nearly universal cell
phone ownership, since I see young kids (5-6 years old) walking around here
in my little (only about 20,000) burg with cell phones, and you won't see
one of those "kiddie" phones that only call three numbers, either..

- = R A N T = -
America's Senior Citizens Need Big Number and Big Display Cellphones
The Biggest untapped Cellphone Market in the USA is Seniors
who what a simple Big Number and Big Display Cellphone that
they can See and Use Easily like the "JitterBug" Cellphone.http://www.jitterbug.com/Phones/.
The FCC and Each US States Department of Consumer Affairs
and Public Utilities Commissions should require that All
Cellphone Service Providers are required to offer at least
one Cellphone for America's Senior Citizens who need an
Easy-to-See and Simple-to-Use with Big Key Numbers and
a Big Digit {Numbers and Letters} Display. -end-of-rant-
the 'ada' should be applied to cellphones and cellphone
service providers for senior citizens ~ RHF
  .

Cell phones: Cell Phone for Older Folks,
or for Handicapped Folkshttp://forums.cnet.com/5208-7817_102-0.html?forumID=74&threadID=19442...
 .

Handi-Capable Cell Phones For Those With . . .
Special Needs like America's Senior Citizenshttp://www.insiderreports.com/storypage.asp?storyID=20001671&ChanID=HQ
 .

I AM AN ELECTRONICALLY & VISUALLY HANDICAPPED
http://www.amazon.com/tag/cell%20phone/forum?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2FJKWR1E71ULG&cdThread=Tx1LN1QP6Q9K5UN
.

[Dave]

Post by radioguy
When shopping for a new cell phne, I looked at the coverage maps of
the phones, both the old analog and the new digital GSM phones.
In both cases, there was veither very sparse coverage in the
mountains, and out in the west period, whether flatland or mountains,
or no coverage
at all in the mountains or out west period whether flatland or in the
mountains.

The Interstates are covered everywhere I've been except between El Paso
and Junction on I-10; and between Gallup and Holbrook on I-40.

Most of the places out West that aren't covered apparently have no people.

[Tony VE6MVP]

Post by Dave
Most of the places out West that aren't covered apparently have no people.

Tell that to the people who live there. <smile> Sparsely populated,
now that I'd agree with.

Tony

[Tony VE6MVP]

Post by Who Ville
The CB Radio channel 19 is still good for monitor truck drivers giving
piggy and traffic reports.

I'm told Ch 1 is in use in certain areas instead of 19. While CB is
monitered a lot in western Canada there's not a lot of activity out
here. Not dense enough I guess.

Post by Who Ville
Autopatches are no longer needed due to the
fact that
99% of the people have cellphones.

Yes, the amateurs have disconnected many of them due to lack of use.

Post by Who Ville
Amateur Radio in my area is dead on 2
and 440,

2m and 440 is active enough in the big and small cities on the more
popular repeaters. Generally those by the much longer established
clubs instead of the splinter groups that broke off in past years due
to whatever silly reason. I tend to look for the club names that
mention the city or region and end in amateur radio club or similar to
locate the most active repeaters. For example Northern Alberta Radio
Club in Edmonton, Central Alberta Amateur Radio Club in Red Deer and
Calgary Amateur Radio Club in Calgary.

Less active repeaters can be just about dead though.

Tony