BYO Pay Phone ???

[JDSkydiver]

Is this doable?  I have a teenage daughter (pray for me!) and I want to make a device that controls a phone.  You use TOKENS (that I hand out) for 10 minutes or so of talk time.

I figure the easiest way to do this would be to use a cordless phone that needs power to work.  Put a token in, and some device gives you 10 minutes of power to the phone, making it functional.

I was trying to think of a "timer" device that I could attach to a COIN MECH, that could enable/disable the power to a cordless phone base.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks for any input.

- JDSkydiver.

Come to think of it, with the vast number of "talkative" teenage girls out there, there could actually be a market for this!

[ChadTower]

I'm sure such a product exists already, I know they've made them for TVs.

[lordsaryon]

Not BYO, but here is a link to a "pay" phone

http://www.payphones-direct.com/sg9999.html

[JoyMonkey]

You'd need to have the token-phone hard wired to your phone line to stop her unplugging it and plugging in another phone (teenagers is trixie like hobitses).
And what could stop her using the other phones in the house?
Hmmm....

[Ken Layton]

Go to www.payphone.com (the home of G-Tel Enterprises) and look at the model 909 desktop payphone. It has time limits you can set for either outgoing or incoming calls or both! As usual with all payphones, 911 is a free call. This phone can block all long distance calls as well as calls to certain numbers you can program in.

[cholin]

YOU'RE SICK!  WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT!

The things people have against teenagers.

[DrewKaree]

YOU'RE SICK!  WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT!

The things people have against teenagers.

Cholin, remember that just because YOU are a teenager, doesn't mean that you won't think of doing stuff to YOUR teenagers that seem ridiculously unfair.

Myself, I have one of those "plug in the base, and connect up to 5 handsets" kinda phones.  If my kids don't put the phones back on the rechargers, I take the batteries out when I find it again, and they have to use the speakerphone in the base.  Talking to your girlfriend when the whole house can hear your conversation has a remarkable ability to make otherwise "forgetful" children remember the most basic of things

There was talk of me buying an actual pay phone for the house, since my wife and I have cell phones we use almost exclusively.  My kids seemed to get the message that having a phone they don't have to pay for is a priveledge they enjoy and by following a few simple guidelines, can continue to enjoy.

[rchadd]

dont you have "pay as you go" mobiles in US

just buy credits, use phone until they run out and then buy top up credits

[DrewKaree]

JD, this may be the solution to more things than you ever thought of!

Check that link Ken gave you, and you'll find this thing...the no-dial phone!



Think of it!  Not only can she NOT call that cro-magnon loser who swears he'll treat her right, but she won't be tying up your phone and forcing you to eavesdrop "listen" to her tell her friend what cro-magnon loser said in school to her today and omygodbeckydidyouseewhatsallywaswearingtodaywhatatramp type conversations!

Now if the thing is coin operated, it's a gift from heaven!  (I've got two teenage boys and one teenage girl, and I feel your pain.)

[JDSkydiver]

Actually, I was thinking along the lines of this:

http://www.happcontrols.com/coindoors/42354900.htm

I could use a phone that needs power to operate (like a cordless base unit), and power is only supplied when the coins are deposited.

I'd swap the quarter mechs with token mechs, and give her BYOAC tokens with her allowance.

UPDATE:
THE WIFE NIXED THE IDEA!  SAYS I CAN'T DO THAT TO OUR GIRL!  What's the point of playing the part of Evil-Step-Father if you can't have a little fun!

Maybe I'll pick up a coin operated timer anyway for future use:

For my cabinet (although the coin mechs are functioning)...
For the television in the kids' TV/Play room...

The mind wanders....

Thanks again for all your input!

 - JDSkydiver

[Stingray]

Oh man, I want one of these!

http://www.payphonedirect.com/19pay.html

That type of pay phone was still in use around here as recently as the '70s. I even ran across one that was still working attached to the side of an abandoned gas station while on a road trip in '88 or '89. It was late at night and it was on a rural highway. I got very, very close to listening to the voices in my head and snatching that one. In the end reason prevailed and I left it as it was.

-S

[Ken Layton]

If you guys want an old "3 slot" payphone, try www.phonecoinc.com instead. More selection and cheaper prices.

[DrewKaree]

UPDATE:
THE WIFE NIXED THE IDEA!  SAYS I CAN'T DO THAT TO OUR GIRL!  What's the point of playing the part of Evil-Step-Father if you can't have a little fun!

I don't get it.  Aren't you the man of the house?  When the words came out of her mouth, you should have looked her in the eye...mebbe a little Dirty Harry squint to let her know "I'm lookin' square at you, woman!" and said...."Oh, it ain't just fer her, that's just a happy coincidence!

And then run for your life before she beat you to a pulp!

[Stingray]

If you guys want an old "3 slot" payphone, try www.phonecoinc.com instead. More selection and cheaper prices.

Lot of neat phones there Ken. Thanks for that link.

-S

[quarterback]

Oh man, I want one of these!

http://www.payphonedirect.com/19pay.html

Holy crap.  I've got one of those and had no idea people would pay that much.   I haven't even used it in about 10+ years.  I should sell that sum'bich

[JDSkydiver]

DrewKaree:

Yes, the wife may nix ideas. 

She works...
Pays 1/2 the mortage & bills...
Leaving me with ample funds for little pet proijects like my cabinets. 

I have a cabinet in the house, so I figure I'll keep my mouth shut and pick my battles...

No tickie, no washie...

- JDSkydiver

[Shape D.]

UPDATE:
THE WIFE NIXED THE IDEA!  SAYS I CAN'T DO THAT TO OUR GIRL!  What's the point of playing the part of Evil-Step-Father if you can't have a little fun!

I belive the proper response would have been

"ha ha. You have a great sense of humor honey. now why don't you run along and make me a sandwich. Thats a good girl."

[Stingray]

I belive the proper response would have been

"ha ha. You have a great sense of humor honey. now why don't you run along and make me a sandwich. Thats a good girl."

I'm trying to imagine what the result of me saying that to Mrs. Stingray would be. I expect it would involve me picking up my teeth. Somehow I doubt I'd get a sandwich.

-S

[Shape D.]

I belive the proper response would have been

"ha ha. You have a great sense of humor honey. now why don't you run along and make me a sandwich. Thats a good girl."

I'm trying to imagine what the result of me saying that to Mrs. Stingray would be. I expect it would involve me picking up my teeth. Somehow I doubt I'd get a sandwich.

-S

you just have to follow it up with a "football pat" to send her on her way.





(man, Its a good thing my wife can't see what I write on here)

[RayB]

My GF's girl is 11. The phone hogging is starting. I can't tolerate it since it's my business line too. My plan is simple: When she hits her teens, she's going to be paying for her own phone. (Will give her something to work for and teach a bit of "real world" responsibility.)

[Shape D.]

hy not start it now, shes eleven-teen now isn't she.

[RayB]

hy not start it now, shes eleven-teen now isn't she.

yeah, but she's too young to get a job. 

[Stingray]

I belive the proper response would have been

"ha ha. You have a great sense of humor honey. now why don't you run along and make me a sandwich. Thats a good girl."

I'm trying to imagine what the result of me saying that to Mrs. Stingray would be. I expect it would involve me picking up my teeth. Somehow I doubt I'd get a sandwich.

-S

you just have to follow it up with a "football pat" to send her on her way.





(man, Its a good thing my wife can't see what I write on here)

Ah, excellent suggestion. That way I could also get my jaw wired up.

-S

[Shape D.]

then I guess she could make you some tomato soup. 

[Stingray]

You enjoy living on the egde, don'tcha?

-S

[Shape D.]

(man, Its a good thing my wife can't see what I write on here)

[Stingray]

LOL, missed the fine print.

-S