phone / intercom

dar512 · 04-01-2006, 05:56 PM

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?

Clodfobble · 04-01-2006, 06:22 PM

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...

busterb · 04-01-2006, 06:46 PM

Another jack and phone?

dar512 · 04-01-2006, 06:55 PM

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.

SteveDallas · 04-01-2006, 07:17 PM

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.

zippyt · 04-01-2006, 10:01 PM

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 .

zippyt · 04-01-2006, 10:05 PM

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

Beestie · 04-02-2006, 12:48 AM

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.

Cheyenne · 04-02-2006, 09:28 AM

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.

Cheyenne · 04-02-2006, 09:29 AM

"ditch the local line"

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

Elspode · 04-05-2006, 03:05 PM

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.

dar512 · 04-05-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

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?

Elspode · 04-06-2006, 04:37 PM

This one...

dar512 · 04-06-2006, 06:11 PM

Thanks.

04-01-2006, 05:56 PM	#1
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	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? __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

04-01-2006, 06:46 PM	#3
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	Another jack and phone? __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

04-01-2006, 06:55 PM	#4
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	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. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

04-01-2006, 10:01 PM	#6
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	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 . __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

04-01-2006, 10:05 PM	#7
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	heres a link , http://www.radioshack.com/search/ind...d=&kw=intercom __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

04-01-2006, 06:22 PM	#2
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	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...

04-01-2006, 07:17 PM	#5
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	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.

04-02-2006, 12:48 AM	#8
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	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. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

04-02-2006, 09:28 AM	#9
Cheyenne Operations Operative Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: http://www.kevinlahey.com/mt.html Posts: 616	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. __________________ ~What Flows From Your Fingertips Is A Reflection Of Your Heart~~ Chey~~ Last edited by Cheyenne; 04-02-2006 at 09:50 AM.

04-02-2006, 09:29 AM	#10
Cheyenne Operations Operative Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: http://www.kevinlahey.com/mt.html Posts: 616	"ditch the local line" not a good idea when one has kids. i have my landline for access to 911 if nothing else. __________________ ~What Flows From Your Fingertips Is A Reflection Of Your Heart~~ Chey~~

04-05-2006, 03:05 PM	#11
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	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. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

04-06-2006, 04:37 PM	#13
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	This one... Attached Images __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

04-06-2006, 06:11 PM	#14
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	Thanks. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

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