Long Range Cordless phones

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raytaylor

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#293149 1-Jan-2022 17:20

Does anyone know of any long range cordless phones on the market? I know motorola had one harvey norman was selling a few years ago, and engenius used to sell a 900mhz one that went several kilometres.

Some extended family own an orchard out of cell coverage and I was looking at the Uniden XDECT but I am assuming they are only approx 300m range. Will have to solar power come of their repeaters and daisy chain them unless anyone knows of another product currently on the market? - perhaps with an external antenna connection?

I'd be hoping to get about 800 metres of range.

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richms

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#2841493 1-Jan-2022 17:31

Could you just get wifi coverage there and use a softphone on a mobile instead? That would be more useful to people when outside than just phone calls.

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chevrolux

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#2841497 1-Jan-2022 17:44

We've use the Motorola long range phones are fair bit. Extreeeeemely well priced and a really good quality phone (IP rated and all that). 800m might be a push though depending on buildings, but for the price, I'd just get one and give it a test. They are distributed by the Uniden guys in East Tamaki, so most of the uniden retail places have them...
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CLPMOT0211/Motorola-Long-Range-Commercial-Cordless-Phone-Rang

The only other long range DECT gear I've used is the Engenius phones. But they are expensive - around $1500 for a base and single handset. They are distributed by this little place on Invercargill... not on my laptop so haven't got that info right now sorry. But they will easily do multiple Km distance with the right antenna - base antenna is connectorised so you can chuck up an external antenna to get that mega range. I've used them in hotels with their standard antenna though and you have zero issues going multiple floors away from the base.

SATTV

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#2841498 1-Jan-2022 17:45

I remember the Engenius one well, as a company we installed one in the comms area on skytower and reportedly got coverage over most parts of Auckland.

From my knowledge of cordless phones, range is a kin to PMPO on portable stereos of past, most numbers were made up from thin air.

Of the Motorola and Engenius, I have only touched the Engenius several years ago and it worked. Looks like you can get an external antenna for them if you need it.

https://cackle.co.nz/hardware/product-category/brands/engenius/?keyword=&gclid=CjwKCAiA8bqOBhANEiwA-sIlN_6gJjZT8klr1CuMzdalGuFSSgL18eLC3MYUT0s4mpjWcELRZmPXFRoC1ZcQAvD_BwE

The Motorola is a whole lot cheaper so you could try one first, PB shows they have no stock but can get one in a couple of weeks.

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raytaylor

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#2841502 1-Jan-2022 17:58

Yeah i know of a company that had the engenius ones installed but didnt think they were quite legal because they used the USA's 900mhz band and not NZ's one.

The uniden XDECT looks like it could work but would require a few solar powered repeaters - the benefit being that they can be daisy chained.

Wifi isnt really suitable- its for health and safety purposes and i dont think it would be reliable enough with the trees. I have tried it in other orchards and the range from outdoor APs is really hit and miss once the trees have leaves on them.

The motorola looks like the one i might go for but we cant get repeaters or single handsets for the other staff.
Buying the extra kit with the handset and associating it to the installed base then throwing away the extra base could work.
Problem is with no repeaters, it means I have to run the telephone cable out to the middle of the orchard to reduce the range requirements down to 500m. Will probably put it up on a 5 metre pole and solar power it.

Ray Taylor

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chevrolux

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#2841506 1-Jan-2022 18:29

I'm sure I've bought single handsets for the Motorola base... its been a little while though. Blulink in East Tamaki are the guys to talk to - contact them as a comms business and I'm sure they'll sell direct to you.

And I'd actually just try sticking the base wherever the phone line currently is before you go to the effort of running a line out. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised in an open environment like that.

nztim

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#2841529 1-Jan-2022 19:28

Crackle sells the engenius so must be legal?

https://cackle.co.nz/hardware/shop/phones/long-range-phone/engenius-durafon-freestyl1-long-range-cordless-phone/?keyword=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIie7S0fWP9QIViBsrCh0EFQn1EAQYASABEgLKP_D_BwE

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neb

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#2842122 2-Jan-2022 21:35

nztim: Crackle sells the engenius so must be legal?

Ah, the old "Bud, if dynamite was dangerous do you think they'd sell it to an idiot like me?" logic!

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nztim

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#2842134 2-Jan-2022 21:58

neb:
nztim: Crackle sells the engenius so must be legal?
Ah, the old "Bud, if dynamite was dangerous do you think they'd sell it to an idiot like me?" logic!

They are telepermitted part of the scope of PTC206 is that it complies with NZ Radio Standards

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nztim

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#2842136 2-Jan-2022 22:08

And for the record the PTC number for this is PTC 206/10/020

100% legal in NZ

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neb

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#2842141 2-Jan-2022 22:19

nztim:
They are telepermitted part of the scope of PTC206 is that it complies with NZ Radio Standards

I was commenting, tongue-in-cheek, on the logic being used, nothing more.

insane

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#2842202 2-Jan-2022 22:53

Friends of ours had some Uniden 700mhz one that with a roof arial would go across lake Taupo and into town.

They eventually got a visit from the council or similar and had to remove it. Was 15 or so years ago.