REMOTE PHONES, MADE SIMPLE

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Transportable or mobile phones are well suited to remote applications since both are powered by 12-volt D.C. connected via a cigarette lighter adapter. For 115-volt A.C. hookups, an inexpensive 12volt D.C. power supply with cigarette lighter adapter can be bought through most electronic parts stores, or through "J.C. Whitney Auto Accessories" catalog.

Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR)

SMR service is sweeping the countryside in an all-out effort to become cellular's number one competitor. Many metropolitan areas as well as some rather remote geographic locations in the United States (such as Michigan's Upper Peninsula) already have SMR coverage. Many more will have coverage in the next few years.

This is the type of system I use here in my remote cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Though I'm located midway between two towers, I manage to get good reception 99 percent of the time, thanks to a large roof-mounted antenna. Reception suffers only during electrical storms, a common occurrence with many wireless phone systems.

According to Jeff Paul, of Range Telecommunications, Marquette, MI, SMR has two advantages over cellular. SMR transceivers are more power—fulable to utilize a full 12 watts compared to cellular's limit of 5 watts—and service, at least in this geographic region, is considerably less expensive. It's likely that service fees will also be highly competitive with cellular nationwide.

Current fees in this area are $25 per month base fee, which includes 100 minutes of local airtime. "Local" calls include all phone calls within the 906 area code (the entire Upper Peninsula). Additional minutes are 25 cents during peak usage hours on weekdays and 15 cents during evenings and weekends. Long distance calls include anywhere in the United States and are an additional 20 cents per minute. At these rates, a conscientious phone user can have nearly normal monthly phone bills.

Unfortunately, SMR phones are not inexpensive. New mobile units that automatically switch from tower to tower as you travel run about $750. However, SMR vendors may offer used units at a substantial discount. I purchased a used 12-watt unit for $250 and could have bought a 5-watt phone for $100. Both were considered somewhat obsolete since switching to different towers while traveling is a bit inconvenient. But these phones are perfect for stationary installations where you use the same tower for all your calling.

Like cellular, hookup for a remote SMR phone is simple. All you need is a 12-volt battery or 12-volt power supply fed by 120 A.C. I use two six-volt deep-cycle golf cart batteries charged with a 50-amp battery charger hooked to a small generator. SMR service technicians can advise you of the proper antenna to use for remote installation. Check the Yellow Pages in your area under "cellular," "wireless communications," or "telephones" to see if SMR service is available in your area.

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