Geoffrey S. Mendelson wrote:
BTW, GAP phones are not always useable with other base stations. In order
to access a base station a handset must register with it, and currently that
has to be done by placing both the handset and base station in registration
mode and inserting the handset into the base station. Works in theory, but
every manufacturer uses a different base design and they contacts won't mate.

There is no "inserting in the base station" during registration of a
handset with a base station. You only select some function, key-in some
number, and press some button.
My base station does not even have the facility to charge a handset,
there is a separate charger base for that.