Post-surgery I could not talk or even make noises (now I have started to talk, but I am not very understandable because of the mucous that builds up in my mouth; not having a tongue to deal with the stuf, I wind up blowing bubbles instead of making noises).

CELL PHONE TO CELL PHONE

So, I stopped using the microphone on my cell phone and started using the keypad and the Short Messaging System (SMS, aka TXT) -- After a almost a month of paying TXT message by TXT message, I wised up and got one of Verizon's TXT plans -- I tried the one for $10 additional -- I think it was 500 TXT plus unlimited to other VZW subscribers, but reviewing my usage yesterday, I modified that to $5/month for 250 messages -- That seems to be enough for me -- YMMV!

Other carriers may have different plans; Sprint wants $5 for 300 and $15 for unlimited, for example.

CELL PHONE TO NON-CELL PHONE

I discovered that if I send a TXT message to a non-cell phone, Verizon's system will detect that it is a land-line and ask if I want the message left as a voice mail! That works on single private lines, but seems to be spotty on commercial systems and one gets no feedback as to success. Not having a land line myself, I still haven't listened to one of these. I don't know if other wireless carriers have similar services.

CELL PHONE TO EMAIL

I also did some research regarding sending TXT messages from my cell to email for other people and here's how to do that -- Just send address the message to an email address typed in the To: field or from addresses stored in your cell phone address book instead of to a telephone number.

EMAIL TO CELL PHONE

Here's how to send a TXT message to someone's cell phone from your computer -- You MUST know which wireless carrier they use and their cell number (You can go to www.whitepages.com and click "reverse phone" then type in the number. It should tell you the carrier) -- I give examples for Verizon, ATT and Sprint because that's where my friends/family are -- Note that SMS is limited to 140/160 total characters and my sending email details are part of that, as well as any signature and call-back info, so keep these messages short or they may be truncated!

Verizon:
<[email protected]>, where '1234567890' is their ten-digit cell number including area code.

ATT:
<[email protected]>

Sprint:
<[email protected]>

Here's more from Sprint on the subject:

http://www.sms411.net/2006/07/sprint-sms.html

Info for other carriers can be found there.

I added these formatted addresses to my EMail program's address book as alternate addresses for my chosen contacts. Initially, it was a bit of work to set up, but I now have the email addresses in my cell phone and the cell number addresses in my email docs.

Pete:

Very valuable info!!!! Thank you for taking the time to investigate this, it will halp alot of people.

I know as far as the regular landline goes there are a few different things out there to help. There is a special department at Verizon for people who have speech and hearing disabilities. It can help provide equipment to those who are challenged. There are things like video phones or typing to a nutruel party who will read it to the person you are calling. Check the white pages of the phone book for the number. The department is called Verizon Center for Customers with Disabilities.

Very important is 911. Most cell phones are not 911 compatable. Sure, you can call 911 but it will not pin point your exect location.

About 911 and Cell, I had previously looked into this; it is *technically* feasible to pre-load 911 data base with address of cell, depending on 911 software in use, but they don't like to do it (and it might over-ride the GPS-locater function that will someday be in all cell phone calls to 911), according to person I spoke to at my county's 911 Center.

Here's what I did to satisfy concerned friend about my personal safety coming home from hospital with trach (He really didn't understand it) because they made such a big deal of it before releasing me to home (and sister, who they trained to clean inner cannula, but I always did it anyway ). I ordered a power line carrier system that extends your telephone wiring on the power wiring already installed in your home, by electronically 'piggy-backing' the telephone stuf on the power wires and is intended for VOICE applications, like telephone and FAX. There are also units made for DATA, for extending satellite receivers (large market here;), and other more complicated stuf.

Here's what I ordered:

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Jack-Wir...lectronics&qid=1236801585&sr=1-1

plus I bought a plain-jane wired telephone instrument.

I live in a small condo, with four units in each of two buildings. The plan is that I would plug the base unit into my neighbor's home and telephone jack, the extension unit into my own home and the phone into that. If I made a 911 call, it would show at the 911 center as my neighbor's address and she would direct them to me (Or we could leave a small note fastened to her door directing emergency responders to check my Unit also). There are obvious flaws, but it's better than nothing and my original intention was to satisfy my friend's worry, not actually make a call).

Consequently, I never have gotten around to hooking it up to see if it works (Other stuf on the power wires might create noise, etc.) AND I never bothered to read User Reviews -- It turns out that this company makes both Voice and Data units and their ads and ordering information don't allow a choice or even reveal which kind you are buying!! Mine are PX-211D and they are apparently hard to return.

You essentially have to look at the unit's *complete* model number (Not in the ad or ordering info) to see a "V" or a "D" to differentiate the units. Turns out they ship the "D" unit, perhaps because that's what's best for the satellite TV receiver application; in fact, Dish recommends the unit.

One user found the Data version to be useless for his intended Voice application and that might be true for me also.

What they don't tell you is that these systems will NOT pass a power transformer, so the two locations must be on the same transformer AND anything else on that transformer is a potential noise source...

They do have this note:

QUOTE
Important Notes on Operation
� Do not plug equipment into a surge protector, plug strip, A/C extension devices or GFCI-protected outlets. Doing so can negatively affect performance.
� Equipment will not operate during a power outage. Use a hardwired phone during a power outage.
� Equipment can only be used for a single phone line.
END QUOTE

It turns out that even having a surge protector within 4-6 feet of the unit may cause malfunctions and even long-term failure.

I will post an update whenever I get around to installing and testing the system.

Very handy information Pete.

I have often wondered what would happen if I had an emergency out here in the middle of the corn field. If I dial 911 from my cell I must be able to communicate my address to them. I do not have a land line either. My speech has improved now to where I can usually get through to the person on the other end. but of course in a choking situation that may not be true.

I understand that you must have a land line for any of those medical alert systems also. I just hope that I never have to find out.

Patty