Cordless phone range???

[DEERSLAYER]

I am on call for work alot and like to take the phone with me when I'm working around the house. I had a set of AT&T phones 2.4GHZ that had really good range (300 yds.) but the key pads broke after only a year. So I bought a set of V-tec 5.8 GHz because these were supposed to have even better range, but they won't even work in my garage! I am taking the V-tec's back and looking for a new set, any suggestions? Should I get the high dollar Panasonic phones? If I have a good set of phones I can spend more time on the tractor!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Freds]

I've found the most fool-proof way to assure good range and reception is to have call forwarding on your land line phone service to a cell phone you can carry with you.
It's never let me down.

 

[DEERSLAYER]

Because of the isolated nature of this area cell phones do not work here. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[sneaky_pete]

I have two sets of low-dollar (about $90 each on sale) Panasonic phones that both work great all over my house, office, and shop. The shop/office is about 200' from the house, far enough that the wirless network barely works, but the Panasonic phones have never let me down. I'm pretty sure they're 2.4 gHz models that went on sale when the newer higher frequency ones came out.

 

[rozett]

I agree completely. I'm not sure how these guys get away with advertising better range. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Our daughters gave us a set of GE 5.8 GHz phones for Christmas and they are going back too.

Most portable phones operate at 900 MHz. The 2.4 and 5.8 GHz phones use 'spread spectrum' meaning the extensions still use 900 MHz, but they've created more 900 MHz wide channels in order to avoid interference with your neighbor's phones. My recollection is that the gum'mint dropped the transmit power limit when they opened the 2.4 and 5.8 spectrums. Less power means less distance. I think we are going back to plain old 900 MHz phones.

 

[Freds]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Because of the isolated nature of this area cell phones do not work here )</font>

Bummer. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I use cheap Radio Shack phones, a base with two satellite units. They are 2.4 GHz and work "OK" within maybe 150' some days and twice that others if I am outside (not in another building). At least well enough for me to answer the phone and tell the party to hold while I get closer to the base station.
I have not experienced the more expensive phones to work any better and the owner's manual is usually thicker, too /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Nasty135]

deerslayer, I had a 2.4ghz panasonic that had incredible range over 300 yards, then the keypad went bad,but it still worked for incoming calls,which was fine for me cause I usally dont make calls... That was fine til the Mrs. left it outside in the rain one night... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
I so liked that one so much that I got another one (newer model) same 2.4ghz nowhere near as good as the first one /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
maybe 80yards at best with intereferance.

I think I might try uniden this time 900mhz or 2.4ghz not sure yet but I don't think I will even consider the 5.8ghz from things I have heard or read about them. Its a crap shoot for the most part. Does consumer reports have any info on the cordless phones available today?

 

[JerryG]

I don't know if it is right or not, but I read somewhere that the 900 would reach the farthest and the 5.8 the least. Does anyone know if this is right or not. We have been looking at some new models and I would like to know before we buy. We have wireless Internet, so we can't use 2.4s.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Our church secretary is hard on portable phones, so we've been through several over the years. By far, the best range and clarity have been the Uniden 900 MHz Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS) models. The non-DSS models are not nearly as good. Now, if they would just make one that didn't break when dropped on concrete. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I don't think they are made any more, so I usually try to find them on eBay. Here's one available on eBay with a few reviews on Epinions.

 

[YanmarFever]

We bought a phone on ebay, its a senao made in russia?
The range is 7 miles.
At 5 miles it works crystal clear, and its a flip phone too.
Its a little on the delicate side, and yes I can hear it on a scanner, so im very careful of what I say. (personal stuff)
It was only 169. for 2 of them with an antenna and pocket holsters
Ern.