Need Phone Advice--New Phone, and Switching to Family Plan

I'm finally ready to replace my LG TM 510. Way back then, I discovered that
the 510 was the best phone for what I wanted, except its battery life was
poor. So, I picked up an extra battery with more mA-Hr.

What I need is a phone that has good reception (we get one bar of signal
strength at home in the driveway, no signal inside the house), decent
battery life, and can be used across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and
Minnesota. Having a camera is OK, but a lower priority. We don't text
message, but who knows what'll happen in the future as the teens get older.

I'm going to get a second phone with shared family plan minutes, so I
*think* I'd like to get two of the same phone. What reasons are there not to
do that?

It looks like I can get two LG VX 8300's for $10 each with a two-year
commitment. As long as there's a camera, I may as well get a decent one. Can
the photos be downloaded to a computer, or do I have to send them via
Verizon (for a fee)? Does the external display show caller ID so you can see
who it is before answering? (May seem like a dumb question, but I saw a
phone where this didn't happen...maybe there wasn't an external display, but
I recall thinking it was dumb to have to open and answer to look at the
caller ID.) The biggest fault with the 8300 that I can see is that it's all
digital, which means no analog backup for really remote areas.

Thanks,

> What I need is a phone that has good reception (we get one bar of signal
> strength at home in the driveway, no signal inside the house)

Just a comment. This is the ideal scenario for use of an external antenna. I
use one under these same circumstances and can place/receive 100 percent
reliable calls from inside my house. The external antenna provides two or
three bars inside due to its greater gain than the standard phone antenna
(my VX8000 has 4 bars max). Granted you are tethered to the antenna wire,
but it's reliable. If you really wanted mobility inside you could buy a
wireless repeater for around $500. For the time being I'm sticking to the
wire - LOL.

-Frank

On Fri, 28 Jul 2006 07:57:24 -0600, "Frankster" <Frank@SPAM2TRASH.com>
wrote:

>> What I need is a phone that has good reception (we get one bar of signal
>> strength at home in the driveway, no signal inside the house)
>
>Just a comment. This is the ideal scenario for use of an external antenna. I
>use one under these same circumstances and can place/receive 100 percent
>reliable calls from inside my house. The external antenna provides two or
>three bars inside due to its greater gain than the standard phone antenna
>(my VX8000 has 4 bars max). Granted you are tethered to the antenna wire,
>but it's reliable. If you really wanted mobility inside you could buy a
>wireless repeater for around $500. For the time being I'm sticking to the
>wire - LOL.
>
>-Frank
>
Hi Frank
I am interested in the external antenna idea(wired) and am wondering
about the availability for the soon to be acquired 8300? Any chance
there is one that will replace the stubby thing and extend?
Thanks for any help and apologies for barging in on the original post.
Simon

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

<simon@delmarny.us> wrote in message
news:14jkc2d34itucgdoumcgnnidhdst3c0jdt@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 28 Jul 2006 07:57:24 -0600, "Frankster" <Frank@SPAM2TRASH.com>
> wrote:
>
>>> What I need is a phone that has good reception (we get one bar of signal
>>> strength at home in the driveway, no signal inside the house)
>>
>>Just a comment. This is the ideal scenario for use of an external antenna.
>>I
>>use one under these same circumstances and can place/receive 100 percent
>>reliable calls from inside my house. The external antenna provides two or
>>three bars inside due to its greater gain than the standard phone antenna
>>(my VX8000 has 4 bars max). Granted you are tethered to the antenna wire,
>>but it's reliable. If you really wanted mobility inside you could buy a
>>wireless repeater for around $500. For the time being I'm sticking to the
>>wire - LOL.
>>
>>-Frank
>>
> Hi Frank
> I am interested in the external antenna idea(wired) and am wondering
> about the availability for the soon to be acquired 8300? Any chance
> there is one that will replace the stubby thing and extend?
> Thanks for any help and apologies for barging in on the original post.
> Simon
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>

These external antennas do not "extend" the built-in antenna. Instead, they
simply plug into the external antenna port on your phone. Each phone
requires both the antenna and the appropriate adapter for that phone.

I have the Wilson Trucker Antenna. I like it becuase it does not require a
ground plane (metal mounting surface like a car). I have it stuck in a shrub
bush just outside my garden level office. It works fine.

Available at: http://www.cellularoutlet.com/widu8mhcetra.html

Yes, the LGVX8300 is supported. $59.00 including adapter. Pull down the
arrow to select the 8300.

-Frank

simon@delmarny.us wrote:
> On Fri, 28 Jul 2006 07:57:24 -0600, "Frankster" <Frank@SPAM2TRASH.com>
> wrote:
>
>>> What I need is a phone that has good reception (we get one bar of
>>> signal strength at home in the driveway, no signal inside the house)
>>
>> Just a comment. This is the ideal scenario for use of an external
>> antenna. I use one under these same circumstances and can
>> place/receive 100 percent reliable calls from inside my house. The
>> external antenna provides two or three bars inside due to its
>> greater gain than the standard phone antenna (my VX8000 has 4 bars
>> max). Granted you are tethered to the antenna wire, but it's
>> reliable. If you really wanted mobility inside you could buy a
>> wireless repeater for around $500. For the time being I'm sticking
>> to the wire - LOL.
>>
>> -Frank
>>
> Hi Frank
> I am interested in the external antenna idea(wired) and am wondering
> about the availability for the soon to be acquired 8300? Any chance
> there is one that will replace the stubby thing and extend?
> Thanks for any help and apologies for barging in on the original post.
> Simon

If you want to check out the home repeater (no wires), they are about $399,
check here www.cellantenna.com Have one at my vacation place in idaho and
love it...