Tri-band phones?

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XY - 25 Aug 2006 05:21 GMT

What exactly are tri-band phones?

Verizon still carries a few tri-band (or tri-mode) phones (e.g., LG
VX4650, LG VX3300, LG VX5200). I was told that these phones can still
use the the old analog network (as opposed to digital CDMA) in areas
where there is no CDMA coverage? Is this correct?

If so, I'd be interested to get a tri-band phone, unless there are some
other disadvantages to them.

Are there any other tri-band phones?
What are some of the areas (geographies) where these phones may be useful?

While at it, what are the other "dual band" phones? Just digital CDMA
with two frequencies?

Thanks for help!

XY, Seattle, WA

Reply to this Message

The Ghost of General Lee - 25 Aug 2006 06:17 GMT

>What exactly are tri-band phones?

The proper term is tri-mode. Two of the modes operate in the same
band.

>Verizon still carries a few tri-band (or tri-mode) phones (e.g., LG
>VX4650, LG VX3300, LG VX5200). I was told that these phones can still
>use the the old analog network (as opposed to digital CDMA) in areas
>where there is no CDMA coverage? Is this correct?

I'm not familiar with LG phones specifically, but yes, if one of the
modes is AMPS, then that is the analog network.

>If so, I'd be interested to get a tri-band phone, unless there are some
>other disadvantages to them.

I think the advantages outweigh any possible disadvantages. And I'm
not sure there are any disadvantages to a tri-mode.

>Are there any other tri-band phones?

I'm sure there are some, but most newer ones omit analog. Cell
operators would like to shut down the remaining AMPS channels so they
can be used for higher capacity digital service.

>What are some of the areas (geographies) where these phones may be useful?

Rural areas, mostly, although most "rural" areas have digital coverage
of some sort.

>While at it, what are the other "dual band" phones? Just digital CDMA
>with two frequencies?

Not two frequencies, but two bands. A band is comprised of hundreds
of frequencies. Dual-band VZW phones operate in the 800Mhz and
1900Mhz bands. AMPS also operates in the 800Mhz band.

Reply to this Message

Rich - 25 Aug 2006 08:04 GMT

>What exactly are tri-band phones?
>
>Verizon still carries a few tri-band (or tri-mode) phones (e.g., LG
>VX4650, LG VX3300, LG VX5200). I was told that these phones can still
>use the the old analog network (as opposed to digital CDMA) in areas
>where there is no CDMA coverage? Is this correct?

yup. great for travelers like us. we spend 4-6 months a year
traveling in our RV. some of the places we visit have an analog only
signal.

>If so, I'd be interested to get a tri-band phone, unless there are some
>other disadvantages to them.

not that i can see.

>Are there any other tri-band phones?

v260/262, v265/266/276

>What are some of the areas (geographies) where these phones may be useful?
>
>While at it, what are the other "dual band" phones? Just digital CDMA
>with two frequencies?

73,
rich, n9dko

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Peter Pan - 25 Aug 2006 12:25 GMT

>> If so, I'd be interested to get a tri-band phone, unless there are
>> some other disadvantages to them.

If you don't need the coverage in some rural areas, your battery lasts a
whole lot longer, and you can do data (possible to do on analog, but slower
than a snail and needs extra equipment)... With some phones, the voicemail
indicator won't work correctly in analog areas.

Reply to this Message

Dave Rudisill - 27 Aug 2006 16:33 GMT

>"Peter Pan" <PeterPanNOSPAM@AkamailNOSPAM.com> wrote:

>>> If so, I'd be interested to get a tri-band phone, unless there are
>>> some other disadvantages to them.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>than a snail and needs extra equipment)... With some phones, the voicemail
>indicator won't work correctly in analog areas.

Worse yet, we have been in a couple of analog areas in which we couldn't
even GET our voice mail.

*86 didn't work, of course, but when I tried dialing our own number I
got a busy signal! If our other cell phone had been a tri-mode, we could
have used it to call our number, then use the # key to get in to voice
mail. Alas, it is a digital-only PDA/phone.

One tri-mode phone is a necessity. Two is better.

Signature

Dave

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Rich - 27 Aug 2006 18:18 GMT

>>"Peter Pan" <PeterPanNOSPAM@AkamailNOSPAM.com> wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
>One tri-mode phone is a necessity. Two is better.

interesting. whenever i want to check voice mail on my cell i usually
just dial my cell number. never fails to work, at least so far.

73,
rich, n9dko

Reply to this Message

Stonecritter - 25 Aug 2006 10:18 GMT

> What exactly are tri-band phones?
>
> If so, I'd be interested to get a tri-band phone, unless there are some
> other disadvantages to them.

I use tri-mode on motorcycle for rural areas. Most times I've needed to
call, I was covered by digital network. I have not yet broken done and
been out of range. The only disadvantage I see is that if NO cell
service available, they use a lot of power while searching. I turn mine
off in Adirondacks and other areas where I expect service to be limited
or leave it plugged into charger.

> Are there any other tri-band phones?
> What are some of the areas (geographies) where these phones may be useful?
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> XY, Seattle, WA

Reply to this Message

Douglas C. Neidermeyer - 25 Aug 2006 13:33 GMT

> I use tri-mode on motorcycle for rural areas.
>>
>> XY, Seattle, WA

That must be exciting-- talking while riding ;-)

Doug

Reply to this Message

Stonecritter - 26 Aug 2006 19:28 GMT

>>I use tri-mode on motorcycle for rural areas.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Doug

Got it in case of breakdown. My bike too loud to allow it. However, with
Bluetooth headset on new phone might be possible, but not likely I'll do it.

Reply to this Message

Diamond Dave - 26 Aug 2006 14:14 GMT

Yup. Not all of Verizon's extended network (partner systems) is
digital.

And with such services as Cingular - their all digital GSM network -
if you can't find a GSM signal, you're phone won't work. No analog
backup.

>If so, I'd be interested to get a tri-band phone, unless there are some
>other disadvantages to them.

None as far as I know. They use CDMA digital first, and analog as a
last resort.

>Are there any other tri-band phones?

I have a Motorola V325. I could have gotten a different phone, but I
wanted the tri-mode backup. I do on occasion go away from the city and
its nice to have the phone work.

I've been to the visitor's centers of Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens
in Washington state. Guess what? Yup, I got an analog signal and I
could make calls, just because I wanted to do it. :-)

>What are some of the areas (geographies) where these phones may be useful?

Western states away from the interstates. Most of the east coast went
fully digital about 2 to 3 years ago (VZW bought out an old mom and
pop system in northwest Virginia and converted it to digital). Alltel,
one of VZW's extended network partners, finally went all digtial here
in the east coast about a year ago. (Ocracoke Island in NC was analog
in 2004, but when I was there in May 2006 it was now digital)

>While at it, what are the other "dual band" phones? Just digital CDMA
>with two frequencies?

850 MHz - original cellular bands (A & B)

1900 MHz - "PCS" bands (Personal Communications Services) - all
digital. Bands "C" through "F". They aren't congituous bands either.

Go to http://www.tk.com and explore there if you want to get
technical.

Dave

>Thanks for help!
>
>XY, Seattle, WA

Reply to this Message

GeorgeB - 27 Aug 2006 16:45 GMT

>Most of the east coast went
>fully digital about 2 to 3 years ago (VZW bought out an old mom and
>pop system in northwest Virginia and converted it to digital). Alltel,
>one of VZW's extended network partners, finally went all digtial here
>in the east coast about a year ago. (Ocracoke Island in NC was analog
>in 2004, but when I was there in May 2006 it was now digital)

I'm not arguing with MOST ... indeed, probalby over 99% based on
pupulation density. However, I (Alltel subscriber) and 2 business
associates (one Verizon, one Cingular) were together on a trip last
week into northwestern NC, just west of I77. Cingular had nothing at
all. Verizon (AC2 plan) lost coverage about 2 miles from our
destination. I, with analog (old Startac) had coverage for the day at
the customer in Ronda NC, 4 miles from I77. Some of it was CDMA (SID
309, I believe; I looked and forgot to write it down) but they are not
on the AC2 list (indeed, not on the National Freedom plan, either), I
had a solid Rm, a less and less common situation. Total Freedom lacks
some nice features, but it is the best I've seen at working
everywhere. I'm not sure if it is available to new subscribers.

I prefer the term dual mode, dual band ... and will not, by choice, be
without it. The main reason I still have the StarTac is the higher
transmit power on analog, although battery life is short in that
situation. I keep a battery on charge in the car ...

One of these days, I'll have to downgrade to a new phone, but it will
be an unhappy day. I see areas of analog 2 or 3 times a week now.

George

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Diamond Dave - 28 Aug 2006 22:26 GMT

>I'm not arguing with MOST ... indeed, probalby over 99% based on
>pupulation density. However, I (Alltel subscriber) and 2 business
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>some nice features, but it is the best I've seen at working
>everywhere. I'm not sure if it is available to new subscribers.

Hmm.. I plan on being in that area in about 6 weeks. I'll have to see
about that too. I have an old V60 with an AC I PRL, and my new V325
with an AC II PRL.

I know that SID 309 (Roanoke/Radford area) is digital at least where
I've used it, but out in the boonies, you'll see phones go to analog.
Madison county in Virginia off of US Route 29 is one such example
(Alltel SID 424).

>I prefer the term dual mode, dual band ... and will not, by choice, be
>without it. The main reason I still have the StarTac is the higher
>transmit power on analog, although battery life is short in that
>situation. I keep a battery on charge in the car ...

Keep that StarTac as long as you can. Great phone.

>One of these days, I'll have to downgrade to a new phone, but it will
>be an unhappy day. I see areas of analog 2 or 3 times a week now.

I'm not that happy with the V325. Just not as good as my older V120c,
V120e or V60s phones I've had in the past.

Dave

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Pegleg - 29 Aug 2006 00:21 GMT

>I'm not that happy with the V325. Just not as good as my older V120c,
>V120e or V60s phones I've had in the past.

Had both a V60 and a V120e...they were great phones!

Pegleg
U.S. Navy Retired
Support Our Troops,
Question The Policy!

All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words:
freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.
Sir Winston Churchill

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GeorgeB - 29 Aug 2006 12:59 GMT

>I know that SID 309 (Roanoke/Radford area) is digital at least where
>I've used it, but out in the boonies, you'll see phones go to analog.
>Madison county in Virginia off of US Route 29 is one such example
>(Alltel SID 424).

My memory is probably bad. I don't get solid roam on any Verizon or
Alltel. Four or five times a year drive up 77 to 81, have the range
of solid roam and/or analog from (MEMORY) 30 miles into NC to 10 miles
into NC. Then I get the 81 towers whihc would be the SID 309, I
suspect.

I see less and less analog, but there are still areas where it is the
only game in town.

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