WirelessAdvisor.com

Fire14 · 08-14-2006, 8:46 AM

Old Rotary Phones Converted to Cellular

Spark Fun Electronics have developed an old-fashioed rotary phone that contains a GSM mobile phone module inside. The phone dials out like normal through the rotary. Incoming calls ring the original, loud, gong style metal bells. While they thoroughly enjoying taking the Port-O-Rotary out on the town, the sound quality will not be as good as your normal cell phone. This phone is for entertainment purposes only.

Inside the rotary phone is the GM862 cellular module from Telit, which works on the 900MHz/1800MHz/1900MHz cellular bands. The battery can run the phone for 4-5 days and is charged by unscrewing two screws on the bottom of the phone, opening it, and attaching the charger.

The new PRP v1.1 is now truly international with up to 15-digit dialing, auto-frequency selection, '+' characters, and PIN # entry for pre-paid cards.

If you are proficient with a soldering iron - they also explain how to make your own rotary phone conversion -
http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorial/Por...ble-rotary.htm

www.cellular-news.com/story/18806.php

bobolito · 08-14-2006, 11:25 AM

I wonder what took so long for Cellular-news to post this. This has been around for ages! The one thing I would fix is the charging part. I would add an external charging port so it is not necessary to open the unit. It still bugs me how does the battery have enough power to make the bell ringer go off. I also wonder if you hear a dial tone when you pick up the handset.

MOTOhooligan · 08-14-2006, 11:37 AM

Maybe I'll get one of those as my 'home' phone in the future. I'll never go back to a landline carrier, that's for sure.

Jay2TheRescue · 08-14-2006, 9:51 PM

This was posted a while back both here and on TCI's forums.

-Jay

Fire14 · 08-15-2006, 9:14 AM

I wasn't sure if it was posted before or not, I do remember now that it was and sorry for reposting it.
Guess Cellular News is a little behind or the owner started advertising it again to try & get customers.

08-14-2006, 8:46 AM	#1
Fire14 Easy,Cheap & Sleazy Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Union County NJ Posts: 8,457 Phone(s): EnV, V750 Provider(s): Verizon Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Images: 293 My Auctions	Someone is making rotary phones into Cell phones Old Rotary Phones Converted to Cellular Spark Fun Electronics have developed an old-fashioed rotary phone that contains a GSM mobile phone module inside. The phone dials out like normal through the rotary. Incoming calls ring the original, loud, gong style metal bells. While they thoroughly enjoying taking the Port-O-Rotary out on the town, the sound quality will not be as good as your normal cell phone. This phone is for entertainment purposes only. Inside the rotary phone is the GM862 cellular module from Telit, which works on the 900MHz/1800MHz/1900MHz cellular bands. The battery can run the phone for 4-5 days and is charged by unscrewing two screws on the bottom of the phone, opening it, and attaching the charger. The new PRP v1.1 is now truly international with up to 15-digit dialing, auto-frequency selection, '+' characters, and PIN # entry for pre-paid cards. If you are proficient with a soldering iron - they also explain how to make your own rotary phone conversion - http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorial/Por...ble-rotary.htm www.cellular-news.com/story/18806.php

08-14-2006, 11:25 AM	#2
bobolito iPhone 3G 16GB (White) Join Date: May 2002 Location: in front of my computer Posts: 12,542 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, Sierra 875 3G Aircard Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: WiFi cards/Access points Thanks: 3 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts Images: 50 My Auctions	Re: Someone is making rotary phones into Cell phones I wonder what took so long for Cellular-news to post this. This has been around for ages! The one thing I would fix is the charging part. I would add an external charging port so it is not necessary to open the unit. It still bugs me how does the battery have enough power to make the bell ringer go off. I also wonder if you hear a dial tone when you pick up the handset. __________________

08-14-2006, 11:37 AM	#3
MOTOhooligan Droid you're looking for Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chili Town Posts: 6,705 Phone(s): a855, V3t, v620 Provider(s): Voicestream Wireless Devices: Motorola S805, Motorola HS350, Apple MacBook Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts Images: 21	Re: Someone is making rotary phones into Cell phones Maybe I'll get one of those as my 'home' phone in the future. I'll never go back to a landline carrier, that's for sure. __________________ iDon't but Droid does.

08-14-2006, 9:51 PM	#4
Jay2TheRescue Drycleaner extraordinaire Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sterling, Virginia Posts: 10,911 Phone(s): V3, HTC Tilt, HTC Pure, Moto V551, iPAQ 6515, Western Electric 302, 500, Ericsson Ericaphone Provider(s): AT&Tingular 310-410 Devices: Zune 30gb & way too many BT devices to list Thanks: 38 Thanked 39 Times in 37 Posts Images: 157	Re: Someone is making rotary phones into Cell phones This was posted a while back both here and on TCI's forums. -Jay __________________ GET A FREE $25 AT&T GIFTCARD WITH ACTIVATION OF NEW AT&T SERVICE FROM ANY DEALER. PM ME FOR DETAILS

08-15-2006, 9:14 AM	Original Poster #5
Fire14 Easy,Cheap & Sleazy Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Union County NJ Posts: 8,457 Phone(s): EnV, V750 Provider(s): Verizon Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Images: 293 My Auctions	Re: Someone is making rotary phones into Cell phones I wasn't sure if it was posted before or not, I do remember now that it was and sorry for reposting it. Guess Cellular News is a little behind or the owner started advertising it again to try & get customers.

WirelessAdvisor.com

Wireless News

Someone is making rotary phones into Cell phones in Wireless Topics; "Old Rotary Phones Converted to Cellular Spark Fun Electronics have ..."

WirelessAdvisor.com

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads for: Someone is making rotary phones into Cell phones
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rotary Cell Phone	larbox	Wireless News	9	02-05-2005 12:05 PM
New Cell Phones	XxSMooTHxX	MOTOROLA	10	05-13-2003 2:56 AM
For anyone who loves cell phones...	cbass2781	Northeastern US Wireless Forum	6	04-22-2003 8:38 PM
new to cell phones	HyeDgha	Western US Wireless Forum	27	09-28-2002 11:19 PM
Used cell phones		Southern US Wireless Forum	4	02-10-2002 11:56 AM