From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

I just learned this on my local Y2K BB. Keep those old phones after you discontinue service (carry them in your cars). Don't try calling 911 to check out this information, that's illegal. Your police station should be able to verify this for you. Apparently you can easily pick up old sets at garage sales for under $5. Although cell phones are more probably more likely than hard wire phones to go down, there's some possibility that they may be the ones to work. Reportedly, some phones even let you make credit card calls when you have no service on them.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), December 02, 1999

Answers

Nope. I doesn't work on my old system. I took the chance but no go. Sorry...

-- Rob (maxovrdrv51@hotmail.com), December 02, 1999.

Also, learn how to switch between the "A" and "B" bands. You may have coverage of one system's tower but not the other, or, you may find that a recently deactivated phone will take you to the cellco's customer service recording rather than 911 (in apparent violation of FCC regs) if you use it "in band", but will take you to 911 if you switch to the competitor's band.

The above, I believe, only applies to "traditional" analog cell phones, which seem to have the best nationwide coverage, and are also available for a pittance at yard sales, flea markets, eBay, etc.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), December 02, 1999.

BTW Tracie (Dancr), you look good (grin).

-- Rob (maxovrdrv51@hotmail.com), December 02, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Yes. Analog. Sorry. That's what they said. Also, maybe it's only certain localities that provide the service, like mine?

Ron: Do you like to mud wrestle? ahahaha :>

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), December 02, 1999.

The FCC decreed earlier this year that it was mandatory that the celcos provide a free 911 connection to any phone, activated or not, anywhere in the country.

And no, but my chickens spend a lot of time dust bathing.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), December 02, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Whoops, I meant Rob, not Ron, on that wrestling comment. No offense to either. That's just my silly reaction to compliments on that two year old picture, when I now am so much closer to the Gary South ideal! On a positive note, if Y2K is TEOTWAWKI, and there is widespread famine, at some point down the road a few years from now I may get to look like that again... It would almost be worth it, just to hear nice compliments ahahahaha

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), December 02, 1999.