Re: REFLECTOR: cell phones through audio panel

[Jeff Barnes <jcbarnes@ibm.net>]

Cell phones ARE illegal (or should be) at all times for any reason from
the air.

Many postings on Canard-Aviators list from around Jan-Feb '98, the
bottom line is it really screws up the cell system within whatever
transmission range the offending phone has.  Cell-switching logic is
based on signal strength and phone location: an airborne phone ends up
walking over other phone connections because of greater signal strength
and location ambiguity.

Imagine someone with car trouble or a serious 911 situation and they get
cut off by some pilot or passenger on a commercial flight calling home
to tell the wife he'll be a few minutes late for dinner.

That's why it's a definite no-no.  Perfectly legal to use up until your
airborne or right after you land.  NOT on commercial though, cuz they
may/may not have their own problems with your phone interfering their
electronics, or more likely, just don't want your phone flying around in
a ground taxi accident, etc.  

As for inflight stuff, has anybody checked out Motorola's new satellite
(Iridium) system or whatever Dick Rutan & Mike Melville used on around
the world flight (C-Sat?)?  There's also a new company/network trying to
start-up...I think I saw a booth at SNF...escapes me rite now.

Regards,
Jeff Barnes
XL-RG a-buildin' real slow


Ron Needham wrote:
> 
> I heard the same but not sure why.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Brown <velcty@earthlink.net>
> To: reflector@awpi.com <reflector@awpi.com>
> Date: Sunday, May 09, 1999 9:19 PM
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: cell phones through audio panel
> 
> >At 08:58 PM 5/9/99 -0400, you wrote:
> >>Does anyone know if one can hook up a cell phone through your audio panel
> >>using a "hands free" setup?  I think it would be useful.  Also, which type
> >>of phone would be better in flight, analog or digital?
> >
> >I had heard use of cell phones is prohibited from the air.
> >Could be wrong though.
> >
> >Dave Brown
> >
> >