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  1. #1
    jp2code
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    I think it would be fabulous if there were a way to setup a small tower that had a 1-mile range.

    All these old phones that people have could be given to kids, and they could contact any other kids within the 1-mile range of the tower - all for free, with no minute limits, etc.

    I was curious just what all would be required to start up something like that.


    See More: Old Phones to Toys
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  2. #2
    Hachiko
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    It's one cool idea but it sounds complicated. What would you need it for if you don't mind me asking?
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  3. #3
    jp2code
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    Quote Originally Posted by Hachiko View Post
    It's one cool idea but it sounds complicated. What would you need it for if you don't mind me asking?
    What would I need it for?

    To reduce the number of cell phones going into the landfill!

    To give kids a cheap alternative to having an actual phone account!

    For fun!
    http://avoidsearshomeimprovement.blogspot.com/



  4. #4
    efparri
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    Cellular phones are not able to connect directly to each other. They require the wireless carrier's infrastructure to complete calls. Most calls are routed through the landline telephone system.
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    Earl F. Parrish



  5. #5
    jp2code
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    Quote Originally Posted by efparri View Post
    Cellular phones are not able to connect directly to each other. They require the wireless carrier's infrastructure to complete calls. Most calls are routed through the landline telephone system.
    Batman, you're just irritating. Are you the moderator on this site or something? You obviously have nothing positive to add to any of my discussions.

    I know cell phones can't connect directly to one another. That's why in the original post, if you'd take your mask off so you can read clearly, you'll see where I said, "I think it would be fabulous if there were a way to setup a small tower that had a 1-mile range."

    Hachiko response, which just said it would be expensive, showed more original thought.
    http://avoidsearshomeimprovement.blogspot.com/



  6. #6
    sgcellphones
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    Fun idea.

    Don't you have companies that pay you a small sum for old cell phones? They recycle what can be recycled and extracts precious metals and so on. Cell phones usually don't get thrown away where I come from.
    jp2code likes this.
    sgcellphones.com



  7. #7
    efparri
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    Quote Originally Posted by jp2code View Post
    Batman, you're just irritating. Are you the moderator on this site or something? You obviously have nothing positive to add to any of my discussions.

    I know cell phones can't connect directly to one another. That's why in the original post, if you'd take your mask off so you can read clearly, you'll see where I said, "I think it would be fabulous if there were a way to setup a small tower that had a 1-mile range."

    Hachiko response, which just said it would be expensive, showed more original thought.
    Once again you are acting as if the thread belongs to you, Anyone can respond to a message. As I stated before, if you do not like the responses either ignore them or stop asking questions. You cannot preapprove the responses. Someone who just joined the forums five days ago should walk on eggshells until he learns the lay of the land.
    jp2code likes this.
    Earl F. Parrish



  8. #8
    telecombeacon
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    There are many sites across the web that provide info on cell phone recycling. That is a neat idea you have there, but I think walkie talkies would do just fine in this case.
    Telecombeacon.com



  9. #9
    jp2code
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    Quote Originally Posted by efparri View Post
    Once again you are acting as if the thread belongs to you, Anyone can respond to a message. As I stated before, if you do not like the responses either ignore them or stop asking questions. You cannot preapprove the responses. Someone who just joined the forums five days ago should walk on eggshells until he learns the lay of the land.
    I'm only saying that your comments go no where towards solving a problem and you do not appear to understand the question before you blurt out a reply.

    No, I can not pre-approve a response, but as the OP, I can tell someone when their response is wandering off topic.
    http://avoidsearshomeimprovement.blogspot.com/



  10. #10
    efparri
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    Quote Originally Posted by jp2code View Post
    I'm only saying that your comments go no where towards solving a problem and you do not appear to understand the question before you blurt out a reply.

    No, I can not pre-approve a response, but as the OP, I can tell someone when their response is wandering off topic.
    For one thing a cellular phone is unable to communicate with another cellular phone without an assigned number and the routing which are handled by the wireless carriers. You can only make calls to emergency numbers if the cellular number is inactive. Even then it uses the wireless carriers' networks. Your intentions may be noble but they cannot be implemented with the cellular phones as currently configured by all of the wireless carriers operating in the United States. An existing system is the Family Radio Service (FRS) which are low powered handheld radios. They require no license to use and have several channels. That still would not solve problem of discarded cellular phones. Many homeless shelters and centers for abused spouses and children accept cellular phones for distribution to their clients. Often there may be listings in the front of telephone directories of the locations for donating used cellular phones. Most of the carriers will accept them for the same purposes.
    Last edited by efparri; 08-24-2010 at 12:31 PM.
    Earl F. Parrish



  11. #11
    jp2code
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    Quote Originally Posted by efparri View Post
    For one thing a cellular phone is unable to communicate with another cellular phone without an assigned number and the routing which are handled by the wireless carriers. You can only make calls to emergency numbers if the cellular number is inactive. Even then it uses the wireless carriers' networks. Your intentions may be noble but they cannot be implement with the cellular phones as currently configured by all of the wireless carriers operating in the United States. An existing system is the Family Radio Service (FRS) which are low powered handheld radios. They require no license to use and have several channels. That still would not solve problem of discarded cellular phones. Many homeless shelters and centers for abused spouses and children accept cellular phones for distribution to their clients. Often there may be listings in the front of telephone directories of the locations for donating used cellular phones. Most of the carriers will accept them for the same purposes.
    Actually getting some help, here!

    OK, and unlocked phone can be used on another carrier's network. That implies my Motorola phone does not need to communicate with an AT&T tower after it is unlocked.

    As wireless carriers upgrade their systems, they likely sell off their older, outdated equipment.

    For kids, this would be an expensive toy.

    Now imagine a company purchasing old radio equipment with the resources to implement their own SIM card. This company could create its own private phone line system with a range equal to whatever they decided to license with the FCC.

    Expensive? Probably.

    Why would a company choose to do this? Answer: For the same reason a company decides on having a private internal network, using their own routers, network administrators, and IP addresses. For the same reason companies have private land line phone systems.

    Imagine an internal phone system that could connect up to any old phone that would allow all of the features of the old phone with no charges for anything. Text fellow employees, browse the corporate network, send photos of unsafe conditions, etc.
    http://avoidsearshomeimprovement.blogspot.com/



  12. #12
    efparri
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    Re: Old Phones to Toys

    Locked or unlocked is irrevelant. You are just using the phone on another network. You are still using the service of some carrier to complete your calls. Without the networks' infrastructure, a cellular phone will do nothing involving external communications. Since the carriers had to go through an approval process to get a tower at a particular location, they are not going to abandon the location when they install new equipment. If you look at a cellular site, you will see a bunch of cables coming down from the towers. These connect to the local landline system to take your call back to the carrier's facilities. The carrier then decides how to route the call based upon the number called and its location. The call could be to another subscriber standing next to you. The carrier would then send the call back to the same tower from which you made the call. In other cases, the carrier might route the call to another tower closer to the person called or hand it off to the local or long distance carrier for further routing. None of this could happen if the tower is not interconnected to the local landline carrier. When a person gets a new phone, the number is assigned to the new phone or "ported" to the new carrier. The old phone is just an empty shell. If the phone has Wi-Fi capabilty, it could use Voice over IP to make calls independent of any carrier. Then you have to be close to a wireless access point to which you can join. So would all the other carrierless cellular phones to which you are trying to communicate. The phone would still require a real or virtual phone number. It's hard to get away from a unique identifier for the phone so that the call can be connected.
    Last edited by efparri; 08-16-2010 at 07:22 PM.
    jp2code likes this.
    Earl F. Parrish



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