cordless phone range

gotrocks · Jun 25, 2004

I have been surfin for too long and getting varied information so I decided to come where the dependable information is dispersed.

We had a panasonic 2.4 cordless phone (2 phone set) for approx $100 bucks. I finally stopped working and as expected the charge for repair approx $100.

When it was working we could depend on about 600-700 foot service. I have been to several local stores and the sales people have different stories regarding how far cordless will reach. One told me the "newer" 5.9 would connect at a much greater range. Bought it charged it up and walked to the pond. Buzzzz it would not connect as far as the old 2.4.

Then was told the 900 had as much range as the other 2.4 & 5.9. It depends on some other specification that is not listed ?????

Thank you in advance for some direction in selection a new cordless set with 2 or more handsets.

"Can you hear me now?"
Saw two cats up a tree with their cell phones.
One said "Can you hear Meow?"

I'm not looking for cell phone, cordless is what I want.
I still remember picking up the phone and hearing "Number Please ?"

DaveNay · Jun 25, 2004

The problem you will start to see is that the higher frequency phones are much more suceptible to line of sight requirements, ans well as well as atmospheric and environmental issues. The wavelength of a 5.9 GHz signal is easily disperesed by water dropplets. I believe that the mini satellite dishes are near this frequency, and during a heavy rain, the signal is too scattered to be decoded properly. Also, high frequency is affected by what is called the " Freznel Effect " and may not be able to weave it's way through branches and bushes.

As an experiment for the line of sight, try putting the base unit outside (hang it out a window?) and then check what your range is.

Dave

Bob_Skurka · Jun 25, 2004

I picked up a Motorola 5.9 GHz phone and was surprised by how short the range really is. I love the phone, the sound quality rivals a hard wired phone, but the range is much shorter than we had with a 2.4 GHz set that recently died.

But I knew I didn't want another 2.4 GHz set because it runs on the same frequency as an 802.1g wireless network so when the computers are on and the phone is on everything was slicing up the bandwidth and nothing was very happy.

Even the old 2.4 GHz set would not send the signal far enough to reach my pool house. So the new 5.9 GHz is not any less convenient for me. I do plan on running a phone line down to the pool house and putting a 2.4 GHz base station down there so I have a cordless phone available at the pool area.

DiskDoctr · Jun 25, 2004

Gotrocks,

As a general rule of thumb, lower frequencies go further, higher frequencies penetrate better (walls, etc).

900Hz is longer range, but lots of interference issues and lots of things in that range.

2.4GHz is shorter range, but better with interference, except with computer networks (Um...yeah, let's kill the SOHO market- they can only use their computer OR their phone, not both at once /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )

5.8GHz is even shorter range, but much better with interference.

As far as the satellite dishes, they are Ku band. Although I haven't checked the satellite TV dishes, all the Ku stuff we use is in the 11GHz-15GHz range.

Granted, we are moving data and such, but I've hooked up a TV tuner to the dish and gotten TV channels.

The answer for range is an external antenna! Pick the right frequency ranges, get the right connector, and viola! Yes, only do it at the base, you don't want a 3 foot antenna on your "portable" phone /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Here is a link. I am not making a recommendation for this company, just found them on the web. http://www.wlanparts.com/category/antennas/

BTW- consider that the longer your range, the more it will interfere with your neighbors' systems. And if you don't have decent security codes, your calls can be monitored (easily cracked) If you want the call to be private, use hardline... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

-JC

Bird · Jun 26, 2004

( panasonic 2.4 cordless phone (2 phone set) )

How long did they last before they quit? We've been using a 3 phone set of Panasonic 2.4 for over a year and a half and have been very pleased with them so far.

However . . ., two months ago, our bill included 7 direct dialed long distance calls that we did not make. I called Verizon and the lady took them off the bill, but said it would be sent to their "investigations" department and if they determined the calls were made from our phone, they would be put back on. So last month, no problem. Then this month, those calls were back on the bill, plus 16 more calls we didn't make. So I called Verizon again and the lady this time says their investigation showed that the calls were made from our number, that she could not remove them from the bill, and we would have to pay for them. I had a little trouble convincing her that I was NOT going to pay for them.

Now we're only talking about less than $22, but we don't make long distance calls from our home phone; we use the cell phone. And of course the calls were to cities where we know no one. However, we have not wanted to put any restrictions on the home phone, just in case we ever needed to use it. She finally got a supervisor on the phone and he said he would remove the charges from the bill and NOT send it to the investigations department so they wouldn't be put back on. Naturally, I told him I WANTED an investigation so the problem could be fixed and not happen in the future.

He finally said he'd put in a repair order to have our line checked, but that sometimes that happens with cordless phones and there was no way to find the problem. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif This is the first time I've heard of that. Has anyone else had that happen?

r0GuE · Jun 26, 2004

When I bought this house (while there was still nothing moved in it...) I came in to it with a phone in my hand, plugged it in to the wall, and heard modem tones. I work for a telephone company as a Network Engineer and I have my FCC licence so radio stuff is very familier to me.

In my opinion, you have a bridged pair and someone else is dialing long distance using your line. It could even be a split pair bridge (one wire bridged on), or possibly even just a pair shorted on to yours. Crazy things like that happen, especially in older copper cable plant.

My phone won't link to your base even if it can reach because of the security features built in. I'm not familier with the features exactly, but I know they work well.

I'd have them remove your PIC. That is not LD blocking, but rather removing a selection of a default LD carrier. I did it at my home just to save the $10 a month LD charges. I then use a 3 cent a minute LD card from Target with no recurring monthly charges. The LD rate is lower per minute by more than half, and my $10 a month stays in my pocket. I'm saving hundreds per year. We use speed dial to dial the carrier and another speed dial to enter the PIN. Very seemless.

Anyway, I'm off track, but that will fix your problem. Otherwise, they are going to have to really shoot your line and find the problem. They can do that to if you choose.

Bird · Jun 26, 2004

( I'd have them remove your PIC. That is not LD blocking, but rather removing a selection of a default LD carrier. I did it at my home just to save the $10 a month LD charges. )

I'm not sure I understand this, R0GuE. We don't pay for any of the long distance "calling plans" so of course if we made a long distance call from the home phone, the per minute rate would be pretty high. So I'm not sure what we could do to reduce the bill.

gotrocks · Jun 26, 2004

How long did they last before they quit? We've been using a 3 phone set of Panasonic 2.4 for over a year and a half and have been very pleased with them so far.

Bird, I don't remember exactly but it was probably less than 2 years.

Thanks to all you others I'll do some more shopping and see what I can find.

Today we celebrate our 50th anniversary. Yep we've been married 100 years.
50 each. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

alan40 · Jun 26, 2004

Not to steal this thread but Congragulations on your 50th wedding anniversary!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif We're celebrating our 17th this weekend and I don't know what I'd do without her being around!!! Enjoy your anniversary.
Take care