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How to use real vintage phones on your cell phone line

Bustercat

A-List Customer
Messages
304
Location
Alameda
The events of this evening, to explain what I mean:

I come home, plug my iphone in in the foyer so it can charge from the wall. Then I go into the office and sit down at my desk.
A client calls my cellphone. Now, not only does my cell in the foyer ring, but my red 500 series starts ringing loudly on my desk, right infront of me. I pick it up, and talk to my client about a logo he needs. That chunky receiver feels so good on my shoulder, and it's nice to know it isn't frying my brain.
My fiancee comes home, and plugs her iphone into the wall, right next to mine. She joins me in the office and sits at her desk.
Suddenly her phone rings, as does mine... it's different this time, two short rings like the UK. I realize it's for her and let her pick up her own desk phone.
After she's done talking and hangs up, I decide to call my folks. I pick up the receiver, dial, and have a nice conversation.
Then, I realize some of her friends are coming over, and I need to get steaks from the store. I grab my iphone, leave the house, and hit the road, having a couple of conversations with old buddies along the way. I get back with some nice T-bones. I place my iphone back in the foyer as before.
Just then, my fiancee realizes one of her friends needs directions to our home. She picks up the phone, dials 2, and then touches the cradle button to switch lines. The dialtone changes to a single, old fashioned tone, telling her she's on her own line. She dials the friend. The friend sees the call from my fiancee, as if though she were calling her from her iphone.
Infact, these calls ARE coming from our modern, cellular phones. The difference is, we are now able to control them via bluetooth, using 50 year old rotary telephones when in the comfort of our home.


If you haven't heard, the secret is this thing. You can now buy the identical product at radioshack for even less under this name (and update/customize it using this software from the first link).
There' s a much cheaper alternative here, but beware, it requires # and * keys to work, which aren't on rotary phones.

Here's some pics:

The Unit. Those two blue lights mean the unit is mated to our two cell phones using blue tooth. The phones can be within 10 feet or so to get optimal sound. Manual says 40', but that's optimistic.
20100607_iphonemod_0005.jpg


The red thing is the phone cable. It goes out the window to the office, where it's split to serve two rotary phones.
20100607_iphonemod_0004.jpg


The office. Mid century steelcases, all office equipment is from this era except the computer stuff. (grr!)
Lamp is only 30 yrs old, but an older design.
20100607_iphonemod_0001.jpg


Getting ready to dial. Note ball-topped dialing pencil, incase finger becomes fatigued.
20100607_iphonemod_0003.jpg


Fiancee twiriling away.
20100607_iphonemod_0002.jpg
 

Bustercat

A-List Customer
Messages
304
Location
Alameda
I'll add, i just strongarmed ATT into giving us a free 'microcell' base station to correct their horrendous network.

It works great, 5 bars everywhere = perfect rotary reception.

I see myself doing alot less texting.
 

Atomic

One of the Regulars
Messages
118
Location
Washington
Bustercat said:
I'll add, i just strongarmed ATT into giving us a free 'microcell' base station to correct their horrendous network.

It works great, 5 bars everywhere = perfect rotary reception.

I see myself doing alot less texting.

Yeah, I want an iPhone but don't want ATT. They are pretty expensive and work surprisingly bad for being in the middle of suburbia.

Have you noticed if you have issues with placing the cellphone too close to the bluetooth converter? Does having it too close give off that static interference when calls come in?
 

Tomasso

Incurably Addicted
Messages
13,719
Location
USA
DStuttgen said:
Can't seem to get my image to appear. Nutz!
Em, nevermind.
With Imageshack simply copy the image code (Imbed this image/Forum) and paste directly into your post.:)

 

Bustercat

A-List Customer
Messages
304
Location
Alameda
I'll add, I used an Iphone because that's what we have.

This setup works with ANY bluetooth phone or carrier.

DStuttgen: great phone! I've just got WE500s, but I'm looking at some older ones. That is one of the nicest I've seen.
 

Homer Hudson

New in Town
Messages
2
Location
Sydney, Australia
Golden Era electro-computational devices...

Firstly ladies and gentlemen, as this is my first post here, I thank you for the privilege of allowing my presence in this noblest of establishments. I look forward to the exchange of ideas, information and pleasantries with you all.

Dear Mr. Bustercat, your office "Mid century steelcases, all office equipment is from this era except the computer stuff. (grr!)" looks positively delightful, and I particularly admire the ball top dialling pencil.

Should you wish to reduce the level of "grr", (and if I may be so bold) I would recommend you look here for some delightful ideas on how to best incorporate the latest in Golden Era electro-computational devices.
ain30-desktop.jpg

If portability is of concern, perhaps this may prove more suitable...
DSC01008.JPG


Kind Regards,
HH
 

DStuttgen

New in Town
Messages
39
Location
Oconto, WI
Bustercat said:
The events of this evening, to explain what I mean:

I come home, plug my iphone in in the foyer so it can charge from the wall. Then I go into the office and sit down at my desk.
A client calls my cellphone.


Did you have any of the "duplex" issues that I have read about in some of the customer reviews? It sounds like you are very pleased with your unit. Is there anything you would list as a con in deciding to purchase this item? Also, did you buy the Radio Shack or XLINK version?
Thanks, Dan
 

Forgotten Man

One Too Many
Messages
1,944
Location
City Dump 32 E. River Sutton Place.
Steam Punk PC's... lovely however, not my style sad to say. I appreciate the effort; however, I'd rather just see my real Underwood on the desk. ;)

When the cash is there, I'm going to retire this large Dell desktop PC and get a laptop that can slide into one of the spacious drawers on this 20s desk. Also, maybe just slide it under the bed and use it in the room or where ever we choose.

That way the desk will be a typing/bill paying station as it was originally intended to be.

My idea and what will take care of the "grr" factor for keeps! lol
 

Gingerella72

A-List Customer
Messages
428
Location
Nebraska, USA
If we decide to make the switch to cell from landline, it's nice to know that this device is out there.

This would also answer one of my questions about dropping landline service....in the case of a couple sharing a household, do both persons get a cell phone, or just one? If just one, who gets it? If both, whose number do you give out as your official home number? Or do most couples these days each have their own cell? [huh]

As you can see, I am ignorant in the ways of the cell....
 

Forgotten Man

One Too Many
Messages
1,944
Location
City Dump 32 E. River Sutton Place.
I wouldn't suggest dropping a real land line... having used a Cell phone or calling those who do there isn't anything more agrivating than having a serious conversation and then a call dropping...:rage: I tend to have more enjoyable conversations on a real land line.

Use the Cell when away from the house but, keep that land line... It's a great thing.

And no, I don't work for the phone compay!lol
 

miss_elise

Practically Family
Messages
768
Location
Melbourne, Australia
wow... that looks great.

I can't imagine how annoying it would be to have cell service drop out all the time - makes me glad that we have the big Telstra over here as you get pretty great service everywhere
 

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