The simplest and cheapest PBX-like device?

[Ramon F Herrera]

I am trying to find a communications solution for two elder relatives
of mine. They live next to each other in a place where phone calls are
expensive, even local ones. I have considered a couple of
"intercommunicators" which have to be plugged only to the AC power,
and the voice is modulated by the 110v. signal, with no need for a
data cable. The problem with this solution is that the two homes don't
share the electrical circuit. I would like the communication to be
full duplex, too. Are there full duplex wireless phones?

Finally, what about a tiny, inexpensive, 2 line PBX? Is there such a
thing?

Thanks so much for your kind assistance, my two aunts will appreciate
it, too.

-Ramon

[gregarican]

Post by Ramon F Herrera
I am trying to find a communications solution for two elder relatives
of mine. They live next to each other in a place where phone calls are
expensive, even local ones. I have considered a couple of
"intercommunicators" which have to be plugged only to the AC power,
and the voice is modulated by the 110v. signal, with no need for a
data cable. The problem with this solution is that the two homes don't
share the electrical circuit. I would like the communication to be
full duplex, too. Are there full duplex wireless phones?
Finally, what about a tiny, inexpensive, 2 line PBX? Is there such a
thing?
Thanks so much for your kind assistance, my two aunts will appreciate
it, too.
-Ramon

You could check out Asterisk (http://www.asterisk.org). Cheap PC's
loaded with Asterisk can run off a USB drive or a CD-ROM even. Throw
in a couple of line cards and you're set. Some of these starter kits
are even for sale on eBay!

[Roy]

Post by Ramon F Herrera
I am trying to find a communications solution for two elder relatives
of mine. They live next to each other in a place where phone calls are
expensive, even local ones. I have considered a couple of
"intercommunicators" which have to be plugged only to the AC power,
and the voice is modulated by the 110v. signal, with no need for a
data cable. The problem with this solution is that the two homes don't
share the electrical circuit. I would like the communication to be
full duplex, too. Are there full duplex wireless phones?
Finally, what about a tiny, inexpensive, 2 line PBX? Is there such a
thing?
Thanks so much for your kind assistance, my two aunts will appreciate
it, too.
-Ramon

What distance is next to each other? Why not run a telephone cable or
use an extended range multihandset wireless telephone?

[Terry]

Post by Ramon F Herrera
I am trying to find a communications solution for two elder relatives
of mine. They live next to each other in a place where phone calls are
expensive, even local ones. I have considered a couple of
"intercommunicators" which have to be plugged only to the AC power,
and the voice is modulated by the 110v. signal, with no need for a
data cable. The problem with this solution is that the two homes don't
share the electrical circuit. I would like the communication to be
full duplex, too. Are there full duplex wireless phones?
Finally, what about a tiny, inexpensive, 2 line PBX? Is there such a
thing?
Thanks so much for your kind assistance, my two aunts will appreciate
it, too.
-Ramon

Ols Avaya 206.

TerryS

[William Warren]

Post by Ramon F Herrera
I am trying to find a communications solution for two elder relatives
of mine. They live next to each other in a place where phone calls are
expensive, even local ones. I have considered a couple of
"intercommunicators" which have to be plugged only to the AC power,
and the voice is modulated by the 110v. signal, with no need for a
data cable. The problem with this solution is that the two homes don't
share the electrical circuit. I would like the communication to be
full duplex, too. Are there full duplex wireless phones?
Finally, what about a tiny, inexpensive, 2 line PBX? Is there such a
thing?
Thanks so much for your kind assistance, my two aunts will appreciate
it, too.

Ramon,

If you can run a direct wire between them, there are two ways to solve
the problem:

1. Construct an intercom circuit and use separate phones
2. Use "Field" phones like the Army sells surplus

HTH.

William
(Filter noise from my address for direct replies)

[Carl Navarro]

Post by Ramon F Herrera
I am trying to find a communications solution for two elder relatives
of mine. They live next to each other in a place where phone calls are
expensive, even local ones. I have considered a couple of
"intercommunicators" which have to be plugged only to the AC power,
and the voice is modulated by the 110v. signal, with no need for a
data cable. The problem with this solution is that the two homes don't
share the electrical circuit. I would like the communication to be
full duplex, too. Are there full duplex wireless phones?

Probablhy. Something with handset to base communications. I have a
Panasonic with dual handsets, but I've never really tried to
communicate handset to handset.

Post by Ramon F Herrera
Finally, what about a tiny, inexpensive, 2 line PBX? Is there such a
thing?

Of course. You probably need to be within 500 feet and need 4 wires
to make the really inexpensive Tie 612/616 blue boxes work. Probably
$50 and a few buxks shipping could get you a cabinet and 3 phones.

Carl Navarro

[Steven Stone]

A pair of inexpensive FRS radios with PL (tone encoding), maybe even a
digital xmit mode.

[morten reistad]

Post by Carl Navarro

Post by Ramon F Herrera
I am trying to find a communications solution for two elder relatives
of mine. They live next to each other in a place where phone calls are
expensive, even local ones. I have considered a couple of
"intercommunicators" which have to be plugged only to the AC power,
and the voice is modulated by the 110v. signal, with no need for a
data cable. The problem with this solution is that the two homes don't
share the electrical circuit. I would like the communication to be
full duplex, too. Are there full duplex wireless phones?

Probablhy. Something with handset to base communications. I have a
Panasonic with dual handsets, but I've never really tried to
communicate handset to handset.

You can use IP-telephony, a tiny asterisk installation and a few
handsets. You may use WiFi to reach the other party.

Another solution is a DECT bridge between two DECT base stations.

Both of these have ranges of a few hundred meters if you install them
right.

Post by Carl Navarro

Post by Ramon F Herrera
Finally, what about a tiny, inexpensive, 2 line PBX? Is there such a
thing?

Of course. You probably need to be within 500 feet and need 4 wires
to make the really inexpensive Tie 612/616 blue boxes work. Probably
$50 and a few buxks shipping could get you a cabinet and 3 phones.

Use radio if you can.

-- mrr

[gregarican]

Post by Ramon F Herrera
I am trying to find a communications solution for two elder relatives
of mine. They live next to each other in a place where phone calls are
expensive, even local ones. I have considered a couple of
"intercommunicators" which have to be plugged only to the AC power,
and the voice is modulated by the 110v. signal, with no need for a
data cable. The problem with this solution is that the two homes don't
share the electrical circuit. I would like the communication to be
full duplex, too. Are there full duplex wireless phones?
Finally, what about a tiny, inexpensive, 2 line PBX? Is there such a
thing?
Thanks so much for your kind assistance, my two aunts will appreciate
it, too.
-Ramon

Actually thinking about it a little more, if they live next to one
another why don't they open their window and holler? That would be the
cheapest and easiest solution :-)~

[Al Dykes]

Post by gregarican

Post by Ramon F Herrera
I am trying to find a communications solution for two elder relatives
of mine. They live next to each other in a place where phone calls are
expensive, even local ones. I have considered a couple of
"intercommunicators" which have to be plugged only to the AC power,
and the voice is modulated by the 110v. signal, with no need for a
data cable. The problem with this solution is that the two homes don't
share the electrical circuit. I would like the communication to be
full duplex, too. Are there full duplex wireless phones?
Finally, what about a tiny, inexpensive, 2 line PBX? Is there such a
thing?
Thanks so much for your kind assistance, my two aunts will appreciate
it, too.
-Ramon

Actually thinking about it a little more, if they live next to one
another why don't they open their window and holler? That would be the
cheapest and easiest solution :-)~

A pair of HFRS andi-talkies with power cradles would cost less than
$100 and go a mile or so unless the building construction was unusual.

[Rod Dorman]

Post by gregarican
...
Actually thinking about it a little more, if they live next to one
another why don't they open their window and holler? That would be the
cheapest and easiest solution :-)~

But somewhat chilly in the winter :-)

[Markos]

Ramon,

Do not even bother with Asterisk unless you are a total Linux geek!

my suggestion is very simple . If you can get a cable run between the
two locations, simply get a Sipura , Linksys or other 2 port ATA used
for IP telephony. Make sure it is NOT a model that is locked to a
provider

give it a fixed IP address if there is no internet available.

In the case of a single ATA with 2 ports, you can set it up in the
dial plan so thart when 1 is dialed for instance the ATA dials
127.0.0.1:5060 and on the other line that when 1 is dialed
127.0.0.1:5061 is dialed. . this way they need only lift the handset
and dial 1 This can be m odified for 2 separate devices by modifying
the IP addresses.

Alternately, if broadband is available, you can get a dual port ATA
and set up two accounts on FreeWorldDialUp.com, or voxalot.com then
each will have an extension available worldwide.

Mark

Post by Ramon F Herrera
I am trying to find a communications solution for two elder relatives
of mine. They live next to each other in a place where phone calls are
expensive, even local ones. I have considered a couple of
"intercommunicators" which have to be plugged only to the AC power,
and the voice is modulated by the 110v. signal, with no need for a
data cable. The problem with this solution is that the two homes don't
share the electrical circuit. I would like the communication to be
full duplex, too. Are there full duplex wireless phones?
Finally, what about a tiny, inexpensive, 2 line PBX? Is there such a
thing?
Thanks so much for your kind assistance, my two aunts will appreciate
it, too.
-Ramon