Remember the early days of cellphones and carphones when they were super-bulky and all the rage? Those early handsets used analog technology for communications in a protocol called Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS). As more customers flocked to wireless providers, networks were transitioned over to digital phones in order to save bandwidth. Some places still support AMPS but it has rapidly gone the way of the Dodo. But a few years back [Mark Atherton] got his hands on some old hardware, including a bag-phone and some test equipment, and set out to build a base station that can control AMPS handsets. In short, he’s creating his own analog cellphone tower. There’s a wealth of information on his page. The writeup comes out as a mix of protocol and electronic resources he scavenged across the net, as well as a work log serving as a testament to his successes and failures. He did his experiments in New Zealand, so if you’re thinking of undertaking this make sure to research your local radio regulations first.
[Thanks J]
Subscribe for weekly videos
This is really great. If only my cousin didn’t lose my OKI 1325 a year ago :(
this is really cool, anyone know if you can do this in the U.S.?
This is a really cool way to keep those old brick phones useful.
Whoa! This is AWESOME! I wanna do the same with the local AMPS-equivalent, NMT network. :)