rob
Senior Nomad
Posts: 509
Registered: 10-19-2004
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
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RURAL CELLPHONES
My Telcel 18 month contract is up, and I get to choose a new phone. My shiny Samsung Slimthing which takes pictures, video, emails has been
spectacularly useless for the last 18 months because, unlike its predecessors, it cannot make or receive calls at our ranch outside La Paz - it works
fine in downtown La Paz
It has to do with GSM, I think. Every new cellphone sold/leased by Telcel is now GSM rather than the old"digital" (which is what the Telcel people
call the old domestic and handheld cellulars). Problem is, not only does GSM appear to be "weaker" than "digital" - there appears to be a near-uniform
lack of external antenna ports in the new GSM models, into which may be plugged something that might actually allow the units to work outside the
city.
When our old Motorola tabletop dies (its a black, butt-ugly thing that works just great) - we will be without local phone communications because
Telcel no longer has any "old" models.
Can anyone at BajaNomads point me in a useful direction - firstly in terms of my new cellular handheld, secondly in terms of a Motorola backup?
Thanks as always
Rob
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
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We're in the same boat rob so I hope you get some answers. The only people who have 24 hr phone reception in our area are those with a roof mount
antenna on their homes. We haven't figured out what our options are yet.
[Edited on 9-22-2009 by oladulce]
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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I think I still have one of those old Motorola units down in Pescadero that I would gladly give you.
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rob
Senior Nomad
Posts: 509
Registered: 10-19-2004
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
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Hi Monoloco - I would like to take you up on that! Can you tell me what would be convenient for you? If you have a plan to get to La Paz at some
point, we could meet you there at your convenience - no rush. . . .we live in the opposite direction to you at Km55 North to Constitucion.
Yesterday I was unable to find a single cellphone with an exterior antenna port, so settled for a Nokia - which have a reputation for being able to
pull in weak signals. I get 2 bars at the front gate house of the ranch, none at the beach 2km away! Oh well.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rob
Hi Monoloco - I would like to take you up on that! Can you tell me what would be convenient for you? If you have a plan to get to La Paz at some
point, we could meet you there at your convenience - no rush. . . .we live in the opposite direction to you at Km55 North to Constitucion.
Yesterday I was unable to find a single cellphone with an exterior antenna port, so settled for a Nokia - which have a reputation for being able to
pull in weak signals. I get 2 bars at the front gate house of the ranch, none at the beach 2km away! Oh well. |
I am currently in Oregon, when I get down to Pescadero in Nov. I will dig it out and make arrangements to get it to you. Maybe you
could give this post a bump in Nov. to remind me.
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rob
Senior Nomad
Posts: 509
Registered: 10-19-2004
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
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Thanks monoloco! Will U2U in November.
rob
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