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Push to talk PTT phone to phone without carrier service possible?

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plop

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I recall reading about his on the internet before but can't remember. I searched this forum but couldn't find anything related. Does anyone know if it's possible to use push to talk cellphones as a walkie talkie, just phone to phone? As in, is there a way you can use the PTT feature without carrier service?
 

bharvey2

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Some of the PTT radios had this capability but not all of them do. I had a Nextel that could do PTT direct to another with the same capability. So simplex, no repeater and would work when outside of cell phone coverage. I don't know if the phone/radio itself would work without an active account. It didn't seem like too many of us had phones with this ability though. Maybe it didn't catch on.
 

mmckenna

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Some of the more recent Nextel phones had a "Direct Talk" function that would work when off the system. It was a 300mw or so 900MHz radio.
I just recycled a bunch of those phones. I tried it out and it worked just fine, but not any better than any of my other radios. A fun toy, but that was it.
 

ecps92

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If you have Wifi you can use Zello w/o the Carrier

Or if only short range, as others have posted the now defunct Nextel had a hidden "Off Network Feature"

I recall reading about his on the internet before but can't remember. I searched this forum but couldn't find anything related. Does anyone know if it's possible to use push to talk cellphones as a walkie talkie, just phone to phone? As in, is there a way you can use the PTT feature without carrier service?
 
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