C J Campbell wrote:


The FCC prohibits using cellular phones on aircraft, but that applies only
to cellular phones, few of which exist any more. Most modern 'cellular'
phones are in fact PCS phones, which are not subject to that regulation.

Actually, they are subject to the regulation when they operate inside
the AMPS band regardless of the technology used. Many of the PCS
services fall back to AMPS. Some of the other wireless providers do
digital service in the AMPS band as well.

PCS is a marketing term invented by cellular
carriers. Both 800 and 1900 Mhz are still
"cellular." PCS originally meant Personal
Communications Services which was a term
used even with old analog via touch-tone
before there ever existed 1900 Mhz "Cellular."
The system could not operate with just one cell because
if everyone was on the same site they would
interefere with one another. More profound
than that, but a cell-phone is still cellular
whether on so-called "PCS" or 800 Mhz
bands.

"Spike" wrote in message
...
PCS is a marketing term invented by cellular
carriers. Both 800 and 1900 Mhz are still
"cellular."

Nevertheless, the FCC rule applies only to the 800 Mhz band.

Spike wrote:

PCS is a marketing term invented by cellular
carriers. Both 800 and 1900 Mhz are still
"cellular." PCS originally meant Personal
Communications Services which was a term
used even with old analog via touch-tone
before there ever existed 1900 Mhz "Cellular."
The system could not operate with just one cell because
if everyone was on the same site they would
interefere with one another. More profound
than that, but a cell-phone is still cellular
whether on so-called "PCS" or 800 Mhz
bands.

Not according to the FCC, and they (literally) make the rules and the definitions.

George Patterson
If a man gets into a fight 3,000 miles away from home, he *had* to have
been looking for it.

Spike wrote:
PCS is a marketing term invented by cellular
carriers. Both 800 and 1900 Mhz are still
"cellular.

Not when you are talking about FCC rules. For regulatory purposes,
cellular specifically refers to 47 CFR 22 Subpart H which covers the
800MHz (AMPS) band. PCS is governed by 47 CFR 24.

"DaveC" wrote in message
al.net...
Cell phone usage is restricted on all domestic commercial flights by the
FAA,
so the flight attendant keeps telling me.

I seem to recall that this wasn't so, early in cellular history. Weren't
we
able to use cell phones on flights, long ago?

Is cell phone usage also restricted on private jets, etc. for similar
reasons?

So my question... what is the technical reason for restriction of cell
phone
us on commercial flights? Is this reason valid, technically? Or is it
simply
an excuse to force anyone who needs to make a call to use the airline's
on-board phones (and pay their outrageous rates)?

Thanks,
--
Please, no "Go Google this" replies. I wouldn't
ask a question here if I hadn't done that already.

DaveC

This is an invalid return address
Please reply in the news group


No you cannot use your phone, But you can use their phone at $3.00 a min.

On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 14:01:15 -0700, "NW_PILOT"
wrote:

No you cannot use your phone, But you can use their phone at $3.00 a min.

Less than that with Verizon

http://www.verizonwireless.com:80/b2...fone/index.jsp

Evan
--
To reply, remove TheObvious from my e-mail address.

"DaveC" wrote in message
al.net...
Cell phone usage is restricted on all domestic commercial flights by the
FAA,
so the flight attendant keeps telling me.

I seem to recall that this wasn't so, early in cellular history. Weren't
we
able to use cell phones on flights, long ago?

Is cell phone usage also restricted on private jets, etc. for similar
reasons?

So my question... what is the technical reason for restriction of cell
phone
us on commercial flights? Is this reason valid, technically? Or is it
simply
an excuse to force anyone who needs to make a call to use the airline's
on-board phones (and pay their outrageous rates)?

Oh good. Let's list all the reasons why cell phones belong in airplanes:

1) Airlines in bankrupty which (and I say this with enormous sarcasm) has NO
effect on the morale of people who should be happy, like mechanics

2) A random selection of pilots who partied way too late the night before

3) Sky marshalls who saunter aboard like what's-his-name from Miami Vice,
thereby making it perfectly clear who to strangle if you're a hijacker and
need a gun.

4) Passengers who think flying is a convenient excuse to get plastered
within 15 minutes of takeoff and mouth off to the crew.

5) People who've lived on potato chips and cheesecake since birth, but think
they shouldn't have to buy two seats to contain their lard, and end up
flowing all over your for 4 hours.

6) Air traffic control computers which are, in many cases, antiques.

7) Morons who will look right at you while you're listening to quiet music
with your eyes closed and begin telling you their life story.

8) Fools who SLAM their seats backwards within seconds of the warning lights
being turned off, and pretend they're instantly asleep?

On top of all this, you think there should be lots of cell phones in use on
airplanes? I've got news for you: Do that, and it'll be more comfortable to
take a bus through a Central American jungle with goats & pigs roaming the
aisles. I don't know how old you are, but there was actually a time when
flying was comfortable and enjoyable.

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 03:10:28 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

I don't know how old you are, but there was actually a time when
flying was comfortable and enjoyable.

And expensive!

In 1958, I left my job in Frankfurt and looked at modes of
transportation home. I got a ticket on the Holland-America line for
$278. An airplane would have been $400--one-way!

To translate into millennium dollars, multiply by ten.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! www.vivabush.org

"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 03:10:28 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

I don't know how old you are, but there was actually a time when
flying was comfortable and enjoyable.

And expensive!

In 1958, I left my job in Frankfurt and looked at modes of
transportation home. I got a ticket on the Holland-America line for
$278. An airplane would have been $400--one-way!

To translate into millennium dollars, multiply by ten.

I dunno....my dad paid for it when I was 12 years old. :-) About the only
negative thing I remember was that the airlines were silly enough to serve
peas, which made for a bit of a mess on bumpy flights.

Best memory - 1987: My flight from Pittsburgh to Rochester NY was delayed by
an hour due to crazy summer weather. When we finally boarded, the pilot came
out of the cockpit and addressed the passengers. He said "Sorry about the
delay, but there were thunderstorms. They've passed, but it's still pretty
turbulent. I'll give you a choice. I can avoid 98% of the turbulence and
we'll be in Rochester around 8:30. Or, I can go through the bumps and it'll
be about 15 minutes quicker. The 2nd choice could be a little unnerving, but
nothing we're not trained for and the plane's not built for. How about a
show of hands - who wants choice A? And choice B?" Choice B won. We got home
faster. :-)