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  1. #1
    Mike W.
    Guest

    I'm an AVID, rabid, irrational StarTac owner and am an old timer on
    the Verizon network, going back to 88. I was an early adopter back then up
    through the StarTac. I'm probably on my 12 or 15th one and I have a drawer
    full of backups (LOVE I could wreck one and activate a new Ebay one and
    stay a free agent). Everyone in my family and on my payroll gets Startacs.
    I have the hands free kits installed. This affects me as a big PITA that I
    don't get anything back for, and I couldn't respect any less the decision
    to force GPS down our throats with total disregard for the consequences
    (like the poor guys that spent $3000 to buy the StarTac option on their
    Mercedes).

    I know Verizon won't do squat for me. There's no way they represented the
    customer's best interest (choice) because they smelled windfall upgrades in
    this.

    I'm trying to come up with strategies for preserving my own personal
    ability to use StarTacs and not have gps rammed up my butt against my
    wishes. I'm not trying to get out of paying a cent.. I'm trying to get out
    of getting screwed by progressive punitive do-gooderism.

    My top question here is.. is it technically feasible to change the identity
    (ESN?) a StarTac shows the network so I can convert a new one into my
    current one (which won't charge)? I'm not asking if Verizon can... I'm
    asking if there exists a procedure or path that will let me move the "soul"
    from one to the other. If it involves surgery... programming.. whatever.
    CAN it be done?

    My second question... can the billing info be "changed" on a working
    Startac? Can I move it over if I find someone who could be persuaded to
    give up their startac?

    Finally... does anyone know of any organized citizen, or otherwise, push
    back on this? Sympathetic legislators willing to adjust a draconian
    do-gooder intrusion into a tax-payer's life?

    Thanks in advance,
    Mike





    See More: Transplanting a StarTac's soul




  2. #2
    BruceR
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    First, Verizon is not switching their network to GSM. They are a CDMA
    carrier and I have heard rumors that they may discontinue their Analog
    service which is perhaps what you're talking about. If that's the case,
    just get yourself some old CDMA StarTACs if you insist on using them.

    From:Mike W.
    [email protected]

    > I'm an AVID, rabid, irrational StarTac owner and am an old timer on
    > the Verizon network, going back to 88. I was an early adopter back
    > then up through the StarTac. I'm probably on my 12 or 15th one and I
    > have a drawer full of backups (LOVE I could wreck one and activate a
    > new Ebay one and stay a free agent). Everyone in my family and on my
    > payroll gets Startacs. I have the hands free kits installed. This
    > affects me as a big PITA that I don't get anything back for, and I
    > couldn't respect any less the decision to force GPS down our throats
    > with total disregard for the consequences (like the poor guys that
    > spent $3000 to buy the StarTac option on their Mercedes).
    >
    > I know Verizon won't do squat for me. There's no way they represented
    > the customer's best interest (choice) because they smelled windfall
    > upgrades in this.
    >
    > I'm trying to come up with strategies for preserving my own personal
    > ability to use StarTacs and not have gps rammed up my butt against my
    > wishes. I'm not trying to get out of paying a cent.. I'm trying to
    > get out of getting screwed by progressive punitive do-gooderism.
    >
    > My top question here is.. is it technically feasible to change the
    > identity (ESN?) a StarTac shows the network so I can convert a new
    > one into my current one (which won't charge)? I'm not asking if
    > Verizon can... I'm asking if there exists a procedure or path that
    > will let me move the "soul" from one to the other. If it involves
    > surgery... programming.. whatever. CAN it be done?
    >
    > My second question... can the billing info be "changed" on a working
    > Startac? Can I move it over if I find someone who could be persuaded
    > to give up their startac?
    >
    > Finally... does anyone know of any organized citizen, or otherwise,
    > push back on this? Sympathetic legislators willing to adjust a
    > draconian do-gooder intrusion into a tax-payer's life?
    >
    > Thanks in advance,
    > Mike






  3. #3
    TH
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul


    If you have a Startac tagged your acct today, DO not swap it out. If it's
    only the casing or lcd thats busted or worn out, just buy a used one in Mint
    condtion on Ebay and swap out the boards. It's not too difficule to do and
    as long as your current board is in good working condition. You'll
    basically have a brand new looking / feeling Startac after the swap

    It's not Verizon that's screwing you, it's the FCC. Write your State
    Senator and explain that GSM carriers use triangulation and they should
    allow Federal tax credits for the cost of a GPS phone if indeed a CDMA
    carrier refuses to activate an existing non-gps enabled phone.

    ..
    ..
    ..



    "Mike W." <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    > I'm an AVID, rabid, irrational StarTac owner and am an old timer on
    > the Verizon network, going back to 88. I was an early adopter back then up
    > through the StarTac. I'm probably on my 12 or 15th one and I have a drawer
    > full of backups (LOVE I could wreck one and activate a new Ebay one and
    > stay a free agent). Everyone in my family and on my payroll gets Startacs.
    > I have the hands free kits installed. This affects me as a big PITA that I
    > don't get anything back for, and I couldn't respect any less the decision
    > to force GPS down our throats with total disregard for the consequences
    > (like the poor guys that spent $3000 to buy the StarTac option on their
    > Mercedes).
    >
    > I know Verizon won't do squat for me. There's no way they represented the
    > customer's best interest (choice) because they smelled windfall upgrades
    > in
    > this.
    >
    > I'm trying to come up with strategies for preserving my own personal
    > ability to use StarTacs and not have gps rammed up my butt against my
    > wishes. I'm not trying to get out of paying a cent.. I'm trying to get out
    > of getting screwed by progressive punitive do-gooderism.
    >
    > My top question here is.. is it technically feasible to change the
    > identity
    > (ESN?) a StarTac shows the network so I can convert a new one into my
    > current one (which won't charge)? I'm not asking if Verizon can... I'm
    > asking if there exists a procedure or path that will let me move the
    > "soul"
    > from one to the other. If it involves surgery... programming.. whatever.
    > CAN it be done?
    >
    > My second question... can the billing info be "changed" on a working
    > Startac? Can I move it over if I find someone who could be persuaded to
    > give up their startac?
    >
    > Finally... does anyone know of any organized citizen, or otherwise, push
    > back on this? Sympathetic legislators willing to adjust a draconian
    > do-gooder intrusion into a tax-payer's life?
    >
    > Thanks in advance,
    > Mike
    >
    >






  4. #4
    Mike Levy
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    On Wed, 30 Nov 2005 19:22:26 GMT, "BruceR" <[email protected]>
    wrote:

    >First, Verizon is not switching their network to GSM. They are a CDMA
    >carrier and I have heard rumors that they may discontinue their Analog
    >service which is perhaps what you're talking about. If that's the case,
    >just get yourself some old CDMA StarTACs if you insist on using them.


    Re-read his message, nowhere did he mention Verizon going to GSM.
    They may go to all-digital CDMA eventually though. His problem is
    that the FCC will not allow Verizon to activate a phone that is not
    aGPS-compliant. None of the Startacs are, so his drawer full of
    backups is now useless, except for the spare cases and LCDs that can
    be swapped onto an activated and working "brain".

    To the OP, how long ago was all that capital invested in the
    accessories? You've certainly gotten your use from it, but maybe it's
    time to upgrade to some current technology. Those phones are mostly
    analog-only, right? I know some may have digital service. The fact
    remains that analog service won't be around forever, look at some of
    Verizons recent phone releases, how many are still tri-band with
    analog service? Not too many I bet.

    >
    >From:Mike W.
    >[email protected]
    >
    >> I'm an AVID, rabid, irrational StarTac owner and am an old timer on
    >> the Verizon network, going back to 88. I was an early adopter back
    >> then up through the StarTac. I'm probably on my 12 or 15th one and I
    >> have a drawer full of backups (LOVE I could wreck one and activate a
    >> new Ebay one and stay a free agent). Everyone in my family and on my
    >> payroll gets Startacs. I have the hands free kits installed. This
    >> affects me as a big PITA that I don't get anything back for, and I
    >> couldn't respect any less the decision to force GPS down our throats
    >> with total disregard for the consequences (like the poor guys that
    >> spent $3000 to buy the StarTac option on their Mercedes).
    >>
    >> I know Verizon won't do squat for me. There's no way they represented
    >> the customer's best interest (choice) because they smelled windfall
    >> upgrades in this.
    >>
    >> I'm trying to come up with strategies for preserving my own personal
    >> ability to use StarTacs and not have gps rammed up my butt against my
    >> wishes. I'm not trying to get out of paying a cent.. I'm trying to
    >> get out of getting screwed by progressive punitive do-gooderism.
    >>
    >> My top question here is.. is it technically feasible to change the
    >> identity (ESN?) a StarTac shows the network so I can convert a new
    >> one into my current one (which won't charge)? I'm not asking if
    >> Verizon can... I'm asking if there exists a procedure or path that
    >> will let me move the "soul" from one to the other. If it involves
    >> surgery... programming.. whatever. CAN it be done?
    >>
    >> My second question... can the billing info be "changed" on a working
    >> Startac? Can I move it over if I find someone who could be persuaded
    >> to give up their startac?
    >>
    >> Finally... does anyone know of any organized citizen, or otherwise,
    >> push back on this? Sympathetic legislators willing to adjust a
    >> draconian do-gooder intrusion into a tax-payer's life?
    >>
    >> Thanks in advance,
    >> Mike

    >





  5. #5
    BruceR
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    You're right, I must have misread GPS as GSM.

    From:Mike Levy
    [email protected]

    > On Wed, 30 Nov 2005 19:22:26 GMT, "BruceR" <[email protected]>
    > wrote:
    >
    >> First, Verizon is not switching their network to GSM. They are a CDMA
    >> carrier and I have heard rumors that they may discontinue their
    >> Analog service which is perhaps what you're talking about. If
    >> that's the case, just get yourself some old CDMA StarTACs if you
    >> insist on using them.

    >
    > Re-read his message, nowhere did he mention Verizon going to GSM.
    > They may go to all-digital CDMA eventually though. His problem is
    > that the FCC will not allow Verizon to activate a phone that is not
    > aGPS-compliant. None of the Startacs are, so his drawer full of
    > backups is now useless, except for the spare cases and LCDs that can
    > be swapped onto an activated and working "brain".
    >
    > To the OP, how long ago was all that capital invested in the
    > accessories? You've certainly gotten your use from it, but maybe it's
    > time to upgrade to some current technology. Those phones are mostly
    > analog-only, right? I know some may have digital service. The fact
    > remains that analog service won't be around forever, look at some of
    > Verizons recent phone releases, how many are still tri-band with
    > analog service? Not too many I bet.
    >
    >>
    >> From:Mike W.
    >> [email protected]
    >>
    >>> I'm an AVID, rabid, irrational StarTac owner and am an old timer on
    >>> the Verizon network, going back to 88. I was an early adopter back
    >>> then up through the StarTac. I'm probably on my 12 or 15th one and I
    >>> have a drawer full of backups (LOVE I could wreck one and activate a
    >>> new Ebay one and stay a free agent). Everyone in my family and on my
    >>> payroll gets Startacs. I have the hands free kits installed. This
    >>> affects me as a big PITA that I don't get anything back for, and I
    >>> couldn't respect any less the decision to force GPS down our throats
    >>> with total disregard for the consequences (like the poor guys that
    >>> spent $3000 to buy the StarTac option on their Mercedes).
    >>>
    >>> I know Verizon won't do squat for me. There's no way they
    >>> represented the customer's best interest (choice) because they
    >>> smelled windfall upgrades in this.
    >>>
    >>> I'm trying to come up with strategies for preserving my own personal
    >>> ability to use StarTacs and not have gps rammed up my butt against
    >>> my wishes. I'm not trying to get out of paying a cent.. I'm trying
    >>> to get out of getting screwed by progressive punitive do-gooderism.
    >>>
    >>> My top question here is.. is it technically feasible to change the
    >>> identity (ESN?) a StarTac shows the network so I can convert a new
    >>> one into my current one (which won't charge)? I'm not asking if
    >>> Verizon can... I'm asking if there exists a procedure or path that
    >>> will let me move the "soul" from one to the other. If it involves
    >>> surgery... programming.. whatever. CAN it be done?
    >>>
    >>> My second question... can the billing info be "changed" on a working
    >>> Startac? Can I move it over if I find someone who could be persuaded
    >>> to give up their startac?
    >>>
    >>> Finally... does anyone know of any organized citizen, or otherwise,
    >>> push back on this? Sympathetic legislators willing to adjust a
    >>> draconian do-gooder intrusion into a tax-payer's life?
    >>>
    >>> Thanks in advance,
    >>> Mike






  6. #6
    royc
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    The "soul" (ESN) of the later model StarTACs resides in the RF board.
    This is the board that the charger plugs into. If the RF board is in
    good shape, you can swap it into another similar StarTAC and
    essentially have a brand new, already activated working phone, complete
    with phonebook.

    For excellent StarTAC disassembly instructions with photos, go to:

    http://ridge.trideja.com/wireless/stapart/

    I have used these instructions to successfully replace a failing
    keypad/display board on my son's StarTAC.

    royc




  7. #7
    Mike W.
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    On Wed, 30 Nov 2005 22:51:45 GMT, Mike Levy <[email protected]> wrote:

    >
    >Re-read his message, nowhere did he mention Verizon going to GSM.
    >They may go to all-digital CDMA eventually though. His problem is
    >that the FCC will not allow Verizon to activate a phone that is not
    >aGPS-compliant. None of the Startacs are, so his drawer full of
    >backups is now useless, except for the spare cases and LCDs that can
    >be swapped onto an activated and working "brain".


    I'm hoping the jury is still out on the "useless" part.

    >
    >To the OP, how long ago was all that capital invested in the
    >accessories? You've certainly gotten your use from it, but maybe it's
    >time to upgrade to some current technology.


    Hmmm.. it was an ongoing thing. I got my first cell in 88 and went from bag
    to brick to flip phone as fast as the technology allowed. Actually, I have
    a brand new in the box brick somewhere in this office, along with my old
    one. When the analog Tac came out, that ROCKED. It is still my absolute
    all-time favorite phone. Audio quality and usage model were incredible.

    There were things I loved and hated about that time I had the analog Tac.
    What i loved was that at all times I had a cell phone, up through that
    time.. you were treated like a f'ing GOD down at the cell phone store. My
    average bills were $1200/mo and I remember a $1000 call I made driving from
    San Diego to Westlake Village (it closed a $210k deal so I didn't feel
    horrible. My mom could not get out of her head that I made a $1000 phone
    call... that still makes me smile. When digital service came out, the
    service was starting to target "the masses" and ultimately.. you had a
    technology that went from being tailored for the high-expectation early
    adopter business man to the high school punk jerking off at the Friday
    night ecstasy rave while he sends his peer at the end of the couch a "good
    cheese" message. F'ck digital for the *drastically* lowered expectations.
    It reminds me of what happened to cb after that f'ing song came out in the
    70's. It became a retard magnet and the suppliers recognized the money was
    in the tards. I digress... I don't miss "security codes" or figuring out
    the details on who my guys had roaming agreements with (you're "A" side
    most places but when you're in the LA market you go "B" side until you are
    about half way to San Diego, etc.). I don't miss sending 20% of a nice dirt
    bike in every month to pay the bill but at least I got to talk to a guy who
    considered himself a professional and not a high pressure phone whore like
    you get at Verizon now. I don't miss that the black StarTacs were $1000
    instead of $400 for the gray ones... but when you're sitting up in FC and
    everyone's looking around to see who had what, a black Tac used to be the
    quickest way to say you had the biggest crank on the plane... LOL.

    Something I remember about my analog... I own an electronics company and
    Moto was (is) one of my oldest customers.. I was talking on my analog Tac
    in an airport (BDL actually) and when I was done, a guy came up to me and
    asked how I liked it. I couldn't say enough. He then introduced himself as
    the VP of the cell operation for moto. Well, we boarded and I noticed he
    was back in coach and I had FC. I asked the waitress to swap us because
    Moto was a valued customers. He declined but when I returned from my trip,
    there was a brand new hands free unit waiting for me in my office, from the
    VP (we exchanged cards). That was a k-buck option back then I think and it
    was an INCREDIBLE kit... you had a separate handset for use in the car in
    addition to the speaker phone. Spectacular audio quality.. and being
    analog, it boosted the signal. I do miss that phone.

    >Those phones are mostly
    >analog-only, right?


    My fleet is all tri-mode. 7868's. I can engage in every meaningful form of
    business communication I need to but I can't download porn.

    I know some may have digital service. The fact
    >remains that analog service won't be around forever, look at some of
    >Verizons recent phone releases, how many are still tri-band with
    >analog service? Not too many I bet.


    I know when I go ride my dirtbike in Idaho and I get WAY WAY WAY out
    there... it's the analog part that works for me. And if I crush the snot
    out of it by dumping my bike, or drop it in the ocean sailing (both of
    these have occurred twice) I go home and light up a new EBay StarTac and
    I'm back in business in an hour.. and STILL a free agent contract-wise.
    Part of why I insist on keeping my StarTac. The other part being that for
    the same reason I like to think I have specifically grant permission as to
    whether I allow someone's genitals into my ass, I'd like it to be my choice
    to say what phone I use and whether or not I have to participate in some
    governmental know-nonthing yuppie do-gooders hysterical over-reaction
    decreeing a false "need" for gps.

    The StarTac is digital.. I get text messages in business meetings with data
    I need... it's got the best phone-book on the planet and it was designed by
    intelligent people for use by intelligent people. Everything after the
    StarTac digital era was dumbed down and loaded up with useless bright
    flashy crap. The ONLY reason they're phasing the StarTac out is hysteria.

    Mike





  8. #8
    Mike W.
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    On Wed, 30 Nov 2005 13:00:31 -0700, "TH" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >
    >If you have a Startac tagged your acct today, DO not swap it out. If it's
    >only the casing or lcd thats busted or worn out, just buy a used one in Mint
    >condtion on Ebay and swap out the boards. It's not too difficule to do and
    >as long as your current board is in good working condition. You'll
    >basically have a brand new looking / feeling Startac after the swap


    Thank you... I'm well-acquainted with the StarTac connection on EBay. I eat
    2-3 phones a year, as well as issue them to everyone that works for me. The
    problem on mine is the phone stopped taking a charge (I'm using a backup
    Tac as a charging mule right now). I'd like to fine a way to get that ESN
    reset. They must have SOME way to do this when they refurb them. I'm not
    trying to get out of paying and in fact offered VErizon enough dough that
    they could close down for the rest of the week, just to make this happen.
    Somewhere on this planet is a guy who knows how to re-ESN the thing. I'll
    find him.

    >
    >It's not Verizon that's screwing you, it's the FCC. Write your State
    >Senator and explain that GSM carriers use triangulation and they should
    >allow Federal tax credits for the cost of a GPS phone if indeed a CDMA
    >carrier refuses to activate an existing non-gps enabled phone.


    I appreciate it but I don't believe in political solutions. This problem
    exists because of a political solution I just want to cheat and get on to
    the next thing.

    Mike





  9. #9
    Mike W.
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    On 30 Nov 2005 18:41:58 -0800, "royc" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >The "soul" (ESN) of the later model StarTACs resides in the RF board.
    >This is the board that the charger plugs into. If the RF board is in
    >good shape, you can swap it into another similar StarTAC and
    >essentially have a brand new, already activated working phone, complete
    >with phonebook.
    >
    >For excellent StarTAC disassembly instructions with photos, go to:
    >
    >http://ridge.trideja.com/wireless/stapart/
    >
    >I have used these instructions to successfully replace a failing
    >keypad/display board on my son's StarTAC.
    >
    >royc


    Really fantastic suggestion for board swapping.. thank you. In looking at
    the pictures, I am not sure if the problem I'm having is on the RF board of
    the other one. Specifically, the phone will not charge when plugged in.. I
    have to use a second startac as a "charging mule".

    One thing I would like to figure out is how to change the ESN in a phone.
    They refurbish phones... someplace, there must be someone that can read the
    one off my currently activated phone and then take one of my back ups and
    install it into that. Anyone in here know where that guy is?

    Mike





  10. #10
    BruceR
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    Probably in jail. It's illegal to modify ESN's.

    From:Mike W.
    [email protected]

    > On 30 Nov 2005 18:41:58 -0800, "royc" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >> The "soul" (ESN) of the later model StarTACs resides in the RF board.
    >> This is the board that the charger plugs into. If the RF board is in
    >> good shape, you can swap it into another similar StarTAC and
    >> essentially have a brand new, already activated working phone,
    >> complete with phonebook.
    >>
    >> For excellent StarTAC disassembly instructions with photos, go to:
    >>
    >> http://ridge.trideja.com/wireless/stapart/
    >>
    >> I have used these instructions to successfully replace a failing
    >> keypad/display board on my son's StarTAC.
    >>
    >> royc

    >
    > Really fantastic suggestion for board swapping.. thank you. In
    > looking at the pictures, I am not sure if the problem I'm having is
    > on the RF board of the other one. Specifically, the phone will not
    > charge when plugged in.. I have to use a second startac as a
    > "charging mule".
    >
    > One thing I would like to figure out is how to change the ESN in a
    > phone. They refurbish phones... someplace, there must be someone that
    > can read the one off my currently activated phone and then take one
    > of my back ups and install it into that. Anyone in here know where
    > that guy is?
    >
    > Mike






  11. #11
    royc
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    Mike W. wrote:

    > Really fantastic suggestion for board swapping.. thank you. In looking at
    > the pictures, I am not sure if the problem I'm having is on the RF board of
    > the other one. Specifically, the phone will not charge when plugged in.. I
    > have to use a second startac as a "charging mule".
    >
    > One thing I would like to figure out is how to change the ESN in a phone.
    > They refurbish phones... someplace, there must be someone that can read the
    > one off my currently activated phone and then take one of my back ups and
    > install it into that. Anyone in here know where that guy is?
    >
    > Mike


    It sounds like your trouble is on the RF board. I had a StarTAC that
    got funky about charging. The connections between the charging port
    and the printed circuit board had to be resoldered to correct the
    problem. If you know of a local radio shop (one that does commercial
    repair work for fire, police and industrial customers would be best),
    they may be able to resolder the connection.

    I think a qualified Motorola repair shop could change an ESN. If you
    sent your StarTAC in for repair, they might change out the RF board and
    program the old ESN into the replacment board. I don't know if they
    will do this, but you could call around and ask if they can do a repair
    and keep the ESN you have now.

    royc




  12. #12
    CharlesH
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    royc wrote:
    > Mike W. wrote:
    > I think a qualified Motorola repair shop could change an ESN. If you
    > sent your StarTAC in for repair, they might change out the RF board and
    > program the old ESN into the replacment board. I don't know if they
    > will do this, but you could call around and ask if they can do a repair
    > and keep the ESN you have now.


    I suspect that even a Motorola repair shop wouldn't be able to change
    it. After all the cloning problems a few years back, the FCC made the
    rule that the ESN had to be electrically unwritable (physically
    read-only) and resistant to physical tampering (like sealing it in resin
    or such). The cellular providers objected that it was standard practice
    for them to zap the ESN in "loaners" to the ESN in the customer's phone
    while the phone was being repaired; I suppose that by the time the rule
    went into effect that disallowed this, it had became easier for the
    providers to just change the ESN in the customer's account (as they do
    today).

    But as the owner of a still active StarTac (hanging on the the bitter
    end), the newer Motorola tri-mode CDMA phones (particularly the V710 or
    276) are much better RF performers than the StarTac, even though they
    have a lot of additional irrelevant functionality.



  13. #13
    TH
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    I'd agree that the V710 is a pretty good phone. Albeit the keyboard gets
    weird after about a years worth of use. My v60S gets great RF as well, and
    is a real solid phone. The V60 series is the closest Moto has come to the
    bulletproof quality of a StarTac. The V276 and the old V265s are the worst
    Motos ever in my opinion. RF is good, yes, but the quality of those phones
    is by far the worse I've come across in a feature rich Moto product in quite
    some time.

    If you must go TRIMODE w/ Analog and want Moto, V710 (for features) or V60s
    (Plain Jane) is the way to go.

    -
    -

    "CharlesH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > royc wrote:
    >> Mike W. wrote:
    >> I think a qualified Motorola repair shop could change an ESN. If you
    >> sent your StarTAC in for repair, they might change out the RF board and
    >> program the old ESN into the replacment board. I don't know if they
    >> will do this, but you could call around and ask if they can do a repair
    >> and keep the ESN you have now.

    >
    > I suspect that even a Motorola repair shop wouldn't be able to change it.
    > After all the cloning problems a few years back, the FCC made the rule
    > that the ESN had to be electrically unwritable (physically read-only) and
    > resistant to physical tampering (like sealing it in resin or such). The
    > cellular providers objected that it was standard practice for them to zap
    > the ESN in "loaners" to the ESN in the customer's phone while the phone
    > was being repaired; I suppose that by the time the rule went into effect
    > that disallowed this, it had became easier for the providers to just
    > change the ESN in the customer's account (as they do today).
    >
    > But as the owner of a still active StarTac (hanging on the the bitter
    > end), the newer Motorola tri-mode CDMA phones (particularly the V710 or
    > 276) are much better RF performers than the StarTac, even though they have
    > a lot of additional irrelevant functionality.






  14. #14
    clifto
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    CharlesH wrote:
    > But as the owner of a still active StarTac (hanging on the the bitter
    > end), the newer Motorola tri-mode CDMA phones (particularly the V710 or
    > 276) are much better RF performers than the StarTac, even though they
    > have a lot of additional irrelevant functionality.


    I shut down my two StarTac 7868s when I got the two V710's. I can't say
    the 710 is better RF-wise, it's about the same (which is to say, miles
    better than most other phones).

    --
    If John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination,
    my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin.



  15. #15
    royc
    Guest

    Re: Transplanting a StarTac's soul

    If you can't afford the V710 or work for an employer that prohibits
    cameras in your workplace, the V262 (or V260) is a credible replacement
    for the StarTAC. I tested an unactivated V262 for several months
    before activating it and giving up my StarTAC a few weeks ago. Other
    than a bad manufacturing lot that had earpiece volume problems, the
    phones (I have 3 in service and 1 spare) are reasonably well built. I
    haven't experienced any rebooting, freezing, display, keypad or
    charging port problems with these phones. The speakerphone and voice
    dialing are very nice features that the StarTAC did not offer.

    The V262 has a better receiver than the ST7868. The V262 is less
    likely to drop from digital to analog in a weak signal area. Also when
    you roam out of your home area, the V262 scans and switches channels to
    find the next preferred carrier much faster than the StarTAC. The
    transmitter in the V262 is equal or slightly better than the ST7868 in
    digital mode. I haven't done much testing in analog mode, but the V262
    is usable in analog mode. My wife has forced her V262 to analog mode
    to make calls when she was at a remote camp that was too far from the
    tower for reliable digital reception. Like all analog calls in weak
    signal conditions, there was noise, but we could carry on a
    conversation.

    royc




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