Tangent 21 - Anyone know anything about cordless phones?

Posted by
Desire

Posted on
20:26
Nov 20 2002

Anyone know anything about cordless phones?

So this is a really dumb topic, however I'm still going to ask you

I need a way to answer my phone upstairs and I was thinking of getting an extension phone socket thing in my bedroom. I've been told by BT that if I get a cordless phone that will solve the problem.

I said wouldn't I need a phone socket to plug the base unit into? The bloke said no, that they only need an electric point and not a phone socket, that you have to configure your number into them.

But it doesn't *sound* right to me, How will the phone know when to ring? I know I'm not so up on technology and what-not but can anyone tell me if this is right? And if it is, do I need a special kind of cordless phone?

Thanks!

8 Replies and 974 Views in Total.

Ethan You Rasclart!

What is most likely is that there will be a base unit of some sort that sends out the main signal that plugs into your phone socket wherever it is. Then depending on how many handsets you buy (Each handset will come with a 'mini'-base type thingy) Some models allow for something like 4 handsets to be routed off the main base.

If you do get a cordless phone make sure that you get a proper DECT phone (aka a digital one) as the old style cheapo analogue ones have a tosh signal and you'll be cursing yourself when your on a marathon chinwag to olds/other half/customer service gits/yadda yadda yadda (Delete as appropriate)

Hope that help...kinda

(Edited by Ethan 20/11/2002 20:34)

Posted: 20:33 Nov 20 2002

gobstopper Eventually, I'll think of something witty to put here ;-)

/me echo's Ethan's reply.

by Desire
But it doesn't *sound* right to me, How will the phone know when to ring? I know I'm not so up on technology and what-not but can anyone tell me if this is right? And if it is, do I need a special kind of cordless phone?
Thanks!

What can I say? It just does

I've got DECT phones here. Main on in the living room, extension in one of the bedrooms. When someone calls, they both ring!

Posted: 20:57 Nov 20 2002

White Hart So long, and thanks for all the fish.

We have 2 BT cordless phones. The main one is plugged into the phone socket, the other one is set up as an extension and just plugged into the power socket although we do have a phone socket upstairs. They both get the signal from the base station plugged into the socket.

Don't ask me how it works, but it does!

Posted: 21:34 Nov 20 2002

Milky "Busted - Now that you're gone, I'm sleeping with the light on..." Pof, 2005

by White Hart
We have 2 BT cordless phones. The main one is plugged into the phone socket, the other one is set up as an extension and just plugged into the power socket although we do have a phone socket upstairs. They both get the signal from the base station plugged into the socket.

Don't ask me how it works, but it does!

The upstairs one will just be held on a charger station not a base station...the base station sends the phone signal out over 4 frequencys which you set your handsets to recieve...There ya go

Posted: 21:40 Nov 20 2002

Funky Monkey When I discover who I am, IÂ’ll be free

I think what Desire was saying was that the bloke was saying she didnt need a phone socket at all!?

Basically - you need one phone line. The phones then use radio waves a bit like your mobile phone to communicate with the base station. This is not like having multiple lines, simply like having an extension. You can have several phones but they all share the same base station.

Posted: 21:58 Nov 20 2002

gobstopper Eventually, I'll think of something witty to put here ;-)

by Funky Monkey
I think what Desire was saying was that the bloke was saying she didnt need a phone socket at all!?

From how I read it, BT was saying that Desire would not need phone socket in the bedroom, saving the cost of getting one installed.

But, I guess there's only one person who can say for sure.

Tam?

Posted: 13:11 Nov 21 2002

Desire Girls don't like boys, girls like cars and money.

LOL

Sorry, okay let me try to explain:

I have a phone socket downstairs. The extension upstairs *was* connected to a second line which has since been disconnected. I have a regular phone with a wire downstairs.

What this woman said was I could keep my regular phone downstairs, buy a special cordless phone (that didnt need a phone socket) and plugit into an electric socket upstairs, then that would be like the charger. I asked her how will the phone get the signal, she didnt know but said i had to configure the cordless phone upstairs to my own number (stressing it was very easy - yeah RIGHT) and then it would work.

But I cant see how it can!?

Posted: 19:19 Nov 21 2002

Tycho As Emily Bronte once put it: "Wtf?"

The answer is, no it can't in the situation you describe.

If you swapped your downstairs phone for a cordless (DECT) phone, then you could have a second one upstairs without need for a second base station, but you do need at least one.

by Ethan
Some models allow for something like 4 handsets to be routed off the main base.

And some models allow for 60 handsets off of a base station.
I have to look after such a system

We all have DECT phones in my work, and it bugs the hell out of me that people can still ring me when I am in the toilet (we have to take our phones everywhere with us)

Posted: 23:34 Nov 21 2002

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