phone / intercom
 

We've got a two story house with basement. It often happens that I'm in the basement working at the computer when the phone rings. 99% of the time it's for one of the kids. Inevitably they're all the way upstairs. That's a long way to shout. I've got a loud voice, but still.

What I'd like is some sort of phone/intercom combination so that while still on the phone, I can intercom the kids and tell them that it's for them. Anyone have/seen something like that?

A lot of old houses actually have intercom systems built into the walls in every room. I think they were big right around the time "wall-to-wall carpeting" was considered novel and posh.

I guess a pair of cheap walkie-talkies would waste batteries being on all the time, and Nextel phones would be too much of an investment.

Here's a relatively cheap setup, but it only does two rooms...

Another jack and phone?

Oh there's phones on every floor. But since I'm sitting right next to one, I'm the one who picks up. What I want is a button on my phone so I can ring or talk to their phone and tell them to pick up.

We have a multi-handset cordless phone. If you're talking on one of the handsets, you can pres a button that will ring the other handset and put the call on it when somebody picks it up.

But it just rings... you can't actually talk to the other handset on it.

Radio shack used to have these intercome that you pulgged in to an ac socket , they work fine , but any body else that is on the same transformer will be able to here what you say , Unless the have changed them .

heres a link ,
http://www.radioshack.com/search/ind...d=&kw=intercom

Caller ID (so you won't pick it up if its not a familiar #). Waiting three or four rings before grabbing the call (giving others expecting a call a chance to answer. A family share cell plan (and ditch the local line) so everyone can get their own calls. Letting the call roll to voice mail.

Lotsa choices.

perhaps you could get one of those wireless doorbells and use it for the purpose you need. keep the button downstairs and secure the bell near a phone upstairs and have the understanding when it rings the kids are to pick up the phone. it is a cheaper fix than an intercom system.

here is something that may work:

http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Panasonic_KX_TG5433_Phone

I have never used this type with an "Intercom" so not sure if you could use it while on the line already or you have to put the caller on hold.....dunno :)

Something to look into perhaps. There are many different type and price ranges.

"ditch the local line"


not a good idea when one has kids. i have my landline for access to 911 if nothing else.

I have to vouch for the multi-handset digital rigs that are out now. We have one that lets you individually ID each handset, then page whichever one you want, either while you are on a call, or when the phone is not in use. This works especially well for our 15 year old, who is about five minutes short of having his unit surgically implanted into his skull.

Which brand/model, Els?

This one...

Thanks.