Is there a device to connect a cell phone to a rj11 chorded phone?

[kenmtb]

Hello.
I currently have my elderly mom using a cell phone connected to a simple chorded phone using XLink. XLink uses bluetooth to connect the phones. I think there may be some signal loss and a direct connection may be simpler and better. She does not use the cellphone so it stays permanently connected.

Is there a device that can replace XLink with a direct connection instead of Bluetooth?
Thanks.

 

[SpookDroid]

They sell USB 'headsets' (some even are made to look like old phones) that she could use, but you'd have to check if the phone supports that through the USB port (some only support charging, no audio).

 

[kenmtb]

They sell USB 'headsets' (some even are made to look like old phones) that she could use, but you'd have to check if the phone supports that through the USB port (some only support charging, no audio).

Thanks. That may be something to consider. I thought a direct connection between cell and corded would be more common ;/

 

[SpookDroid]

With most phones getting rid of the headphone jack, wireless audio is the way of the world now. Also, unless it's a really crappy headset or you have a lot of devices working in the 2.4GHz range outside normal working parameters (i.e. faulty microwave, hacked radio to output more power than normal, etc.), BT audio connections are pretty stable and with low loss; of course this is as long as the signal is connected to the phone as walking to a different room or too far could disconnect it, but then again, a cord would limit this even more.

 

[kenmtb]

Great info. I set her phone up so it is permanently located right next to the Xlink. Sounds like would work as good as a cable. For some reason, my long distance calls to her phone have a lower sound quality.

 

[spARTacus]

There used to be something called Cell2Jack that was similar to XLink. It I think had a USB port for connecting to the cell phone, but I don't remember if that was only for charging the phone.

 

[VidJunky]

Have you searched online? I found several instances of that Cell2Jack. Something that may be more appealing since this is a home phone and your mom does not use the cell device or travel with it, I saw Consumer Cellular has a, they are calling the one I found an, Iris Home Base, but it looks like they have other models too. From my brief look at them, the one looks like a Roku box with a cell antenna and a phone jack. You can see more about that one here.

https://www.consumercellular.com/shopping/details/iris_home_phone_base/overview?deviceColor=black&deviceMemorySize=8GB&isDeviceNewOrReturn=new&paymentMethod=none&srsltid=AfmBOoq5m7584UZYtrN0c6Z6CvEFCvZljmMhCJCglXbiYu9v30DuCES3S3A

Straight talk has one.

Straight Talk Prepaid Home Phone Base by Moxee - Walmart.com

Buy Straight Talk Prepaid Home Phone Base by Moxee at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Atel makes this one, but it does way more than you're asking. Plus the sticker shock is real with this one.

https://www.newegg.com/p/0XP-06K4-00861?item=9SIBZPFKJJ3507&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic+shopping&utm_campaign=knc-googleadwords-_-accessories%20-%20wired%20%26%20wireless-_-gadpiparty-_-9SIBZPFKJJ3507&source=region&srsltid=AfmBOop_GufRD7MOqITCidkCaw0MgvhC4_HckwZKn24ZXdU40TfnJBq1s5s

What carrier do you have? AT&T has this one.

https://telephones.att.com/pd/3728/CLP99387-3-handset-Connect-to-Cell-phone-system-with-smart-call-blocker

So they are out there. It just comes down to what you're looking for.

 

[kenmtb]

Have you searched online? I found several instances of that Cell2Jack. Something that may be more appealing since this is a home phone and your mom does not use the cell device or travel with it, I saw Consumer Cellular has a, they are calling the one I found an, Iris Home Base, but it looks like they have other models too. From my brief look at them, the one looks like a Roku box with a cell antenna and a phone jack. You can see more about that one here.

https://www.consumercellular.com/shopping/details/iris_home_phone_base/overview?deviceColor=black&deviceMemorySize=8GB&isDeviceNewOrReturn=new&paymentMethod=none&srsltid=AfmBOoq5m7584UZYtrN0c6Z6CvEFCvZljmMhCJCglXbiYu9v30DuCES3S3A

Straight talk has one.

Straight Talk Prepaid Home Phone Base by Moxee - Walmart.com

Buy Straight Talk Prepaid Home Phone Base by Moxee at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Atel makes this one, but it does way more than you're asking. Plus the sticker shock is real with this one.

https://www.newegg.com/p/0XP-06K4-00861?item=9SIBZPFKJJ3507&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic+shopping&utm_campaign=knc-googleadwords-_-accessories%20-%20wired%20%26%20wireless-_-gadpiparty-_-9SIBZPFKJJ3507&source=region&srsltid=AfmBOop_GufRD7MOqITCidkCaw0MgvhC4_HckwZKn24ZXdU40TfnJBq1s5s

What carrier do you have? AT&T has this one.

https://telephones.att.com/pd/3728/CLP99387-3-handset-Connect-to-Cell-phone-system-with-smart-call-blocker

So they are out there. It just comes down to what you're looking for.

Thank you. I was looking for a unit that works like xlink but uses a jack rather than Bluetooth as my mom does not use the cell at all. I set her up on trackfone. Perhaps a base unit could replace the phone. I never looked at those. Worried about compatibility with tracfone

 

[SyCoREAPER]

No need to go through all that. A lot of home phones/landline sets now have bluetooth that lets you connect a cellphone and ring right to it.

 

[kenmtb]

No need to go through all that. A lot of home phones/landline sets now have bluetooth that lets you connect a cellphone and ring right to it.

Worth looking into for my next phone

 

[spARTacus]

I thought you wanted to avoid having to use Bluetooth?

In theory, there's a bunch of home Wi-Fi routers that have the ability to get their WAN connection via wired USB tethering from a cell phone. However, probably not many that also have an RJ11 port for connecting a plain old telephone, or for expecting a connected telephone to bridge back through the connected cell phone's service (as opposed to just forwarding to an online VOIP exchange).

 

[SyCoREAPER]

I thought you wanted to avoid having to use Bluetooth?

In theory, there's a bunch of home Wi-Fi routers that have the ability to get their WAN connection via wired USB tethering from a cell phone. However, probably not many that also have an RJ11 port for connecting a plain old telephone, or for expecting a connected telephone to bridge back through the connected cell phone's service (as opposed to just forwarding to an online VOIP exchange).

I suggested the above despite being BT because I never heard of xlink and am too lazy/don't care enough to look it up. Also know it works.

As for above,
Not the same thing. That's for connection redundancy. If your internet drops, it can use your cell as a internet source.

 

[spARTacus]

...As for above,
Not the same thing. That's for connection redundancy. If your internet drops, it can use your cell as a internet source.

Yes such might serve as redundant internet connection method for some (and even be advertised or marketed as such by some router manufacturers). For others, it can serve as a primary whole home connection. Rocket sticks (the one name that comes to mind from Rogers in Canada for example) used to be common place, folks plugging them into their laptop USB ports in order to get a decent internet connection from anywhere that Rogers cellular coverage existed. Similar from Bell where also marketed for plugging into whole home Wi-Fi routers.

I agree that none of such seems default suited well for what the OP is trying to achieve. However, if they really don't want to use a Bluetooth connection device arrangement for what they're trying to achieve, then they're probably going to have to dig deeper for something different.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

What in the name of Holy King Christ are you going on about? Are you OK from New Year's because you seem cooked.

OP wants the cellphone to ring on an actual phone. Not use the phone for Internet in the house like you keep bringing up.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

@kenmtb

Something like this. There are ones labeled 'AT&T' but aren't just for their service it's works for all.

Amazon.com: VTech IS8128-21 Super Long Range 2-Handset DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone for Home with Answering Machine, 2300 ft Range, Call Blocking, Bluetooth Connect to Cell, Intercom : Everything Else

Buy VTech IS8128-21 Super Long Range 2-Handset DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone for Home with Answering Machine, 2300 ft Range, Call Blocking, Bluetooth Connect to Cell, Intercom: Everything Else - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Boxes like the you have are all rated poorly. I think above is the best solution.

 

[spARTacus]

What in the name of Holy King Christ are you going on about? Are you OK from New Year's because you seem cooked.

OP wants the cellphone to ring on an actual phone. Not use the phone for Internet in the house like you keep bringing up.

I think the OP already achieved the ability to use a plain old phone for the cell phone calls (via the XLink device), but was looking for options for a wired (not Bluetooth) connection between the cell phone and whatever device could be used instead of XLink. In such a scenario, the only way I can think of if there aren't COTS products doing such, would be if something could be rigged up for the final wired connection to the cell phone via USB tethering.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

I think the OP already achieved the ability to use a plain old phone for the cell phone calls (via the XLink device), but was looking for options for a wired (not Bluetooth) connection between the cell phone and whatever device could be used instead of XLink. In such a scenario, the only way I can think of if there aren't COTS products doing such, would be if something could be rigged up for the final wired connection to the cell phone via USB tethering.

Because the current BT is unreliable. Your solutions are for something entirely different.

It leaves my solution or the aforementioned USB/headphone jack style old school telephone.

All other plugin devices and receivers are dodgy at best.

 

[kenmtb]

I thought you wanted to avoid having to use Bluetooth?

In theory, there's a bunch of home Wi-Fi routers that have the ability to get their WAN connection via wired USB tethering from a cell phone. However, probably not many that also have an RJ11 port for connecting a plain old telephone, or for expecting a connected telephone to bridge back through the connected cell phone's service (as opposed to just forwarding to an online VOIP exchange).

It would be ideal to have as direct connection as possible. The issue with xlink and bluetooth is loosing connection and not automatically reconnecting. I run macros to force reconnect for different disconnects. It worked great until the code library changed and bluetooth control was blocked.

 

[spARTacus]

Because the current BT is unreliable. Your solutions are for something entirely different.

It leaves my solution or the aforementioned USB/headphone jack style old school telephone.

All other plugin devices and receivers are dodgy at best.

There doesn't appear to be any solutions that don't rely on BT via currently available easy/simple products (other than the earlier mentioned 3.5mm headphones jack old phone lookalike headset). My guess is the need just isn't great enough for lots of alternatives to be on the market. If one needs to avoid BT and wants wired connections and the 3.5mm headset also isn't a desirable option, then the only thing I can think of is to jerry-rig up something way more complicated that makes use of wired USB tethering from the cell phone. There certainly are simple existing products with the right connections and connectors for all of such, but I doubt if many have default functionality for such. In theory, someone here in AC could probably even wip up something with a dial up phone/fax modem from the back of an old PC. The tinkering wouldn't be trivial but the concept seems straight forward. Several years ago, I'm sure a few people already did it for their needs, but obviously the OP doesn't really want to setup a home phone exchange to achieve what they need (and probably also why products like Cell2Jack and XLink first arrived on the market).

 

[spARTacus]

It would be ideal to have as direct connection as possible. The issue with xlink and bluetooth is loosing connection and not automatically reconnecting. I run macros to force reconnect for different disconnects. It worked great until the code library changed and bluetooth control was blocked.

Not sure what Android phone you're using, but via modes and routines one should be able to setup a routine trigger for if a certain BT device is disconnected, to then connect a BT device. I've not played around with that combination before, but in theory it could help.