Perhaps I should have left shortwave out of that description. ?
The "operator assisted radio phone" was available long before the cell phones were available.
Like a high performance VHF/UHF walkie talkie, but it stayed silent until you broke the squelch, or the "operator" transmitted your code.
Then you would hear all the traffic on your channel.
Not very private, you could hear and talk to other users.
A inbound caller would call the operator, then give the operator your 4 digit number and the operator would call you inputting your personal code,
that would break the squelch on your 'phone' and you would then hear the operator. next the operator would put the incoming call to your radio phone and
You could then talk to your caller.
A single repeater tower would typically cover a 50+ mile radius, a few "long distance towers" could cover 250-300 mile radius, line of sight.
(Most cell phone towers are very short range)
BUT in an emergency, you might connect with another 'user' when you could not reach a tower.
This was a subscription service, about $30 USD monthly in the 1980's
In the 1990's verizon bought our local service and turned it off without any notice. !
Their cell phone service only worked in the heart of the city.
Lots of early cell phone users got bills for many thousands of dollars every month.
The "operator assisted radio phone" was available long before the cell phones were available.
Like a high performance VHF/UHF walkie talkie, but it stayed silent until you broke the squelch, or the "operator" transmitted your code.
Then you would hear all the traffic on your channel.
Not very private, you could hear and talk to other users.
A inbound caller would call the operator, then give the operator your 4 digit number and the operator would call you inputting your personal code,
that would break the squelch on your 'phone' and you would then hear the operator. next the operator would put the incoming call to your radio phone and
You could then talk to your caller.
A single repeater tower would typically cover a 50+ mile radius, a few "long distance towers" could cover 250-300 mile radius, line of sight.
(Most cell phone towers are very short range)
BUT in an emergency, you might connect with another 'user' when you could not reach a tower.
This was a subscription service, about $30 USD monthly in the 1980's
In the 1990's verizon bought our local service and turned it off without any notice. !
Their cell phone service only worked in the heart of the city.
Lots of early cell phone users got bills for many thousands of dollars every month.
LINUX = CHOICES
**BCnAZ**
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**BCnAZ**
Donate to $upport
your favorite OS Team
