Hobby phones

So I was reading through post in the main forumns and came across a good topic. Who here uses a hobby phone? And what are some of the options for all the dogs out there.
DallasRain's Avatar
I have a regular who only uses a hobby phone...he has a pay as you go,that way he only has to put minutes on it for when he hobbys...he sdays it is kept hidden in his desk at work & wifey has no idea he has it....sounds like a great idea to me!
laoilman's Avatar
I have the walmart variety and buy 6 mos at at a time. I don't keep any #'s in the phone in case it is found I can just calim I found it. What is a bitch is trying to text on it after having the convenience of blackberry, it's painfully slow but beats the alternative. Guess you could call it a "throw away".
Outdoorsman's Avatar
Yes, I have a hobby phone. Better question who does not? And yes Dallas, I do not always have my hobby phone on me, of course when I am not hobbying. I do not have SO but do not want to be talking to someone and hobby phone ring so I do not carry it around; only when an appt is scheduled or possible, in case of aunt flo, cancellations, tardiness etc. etc.

Yes, txting on it is very difficult, so ladies that is why I prefer the email, just easier for me, but I do txt as well. And I also delete numbers thats why I do not remeber your numbers ladies. I delete for just in case my young son finds it and calls and one of my ATFs answers "Hey stud muffin!" not a good one to have to explain to a teenage boy.
Hobby phones are the best, you can throw them away when you are done with them. T-mobile is good because you can switch out sim cards if you need to. And its pre-paid.
DallasRain's Avatar
I hate texting with hobbyist....I would much rather talk via email or phone...that way you can get a "feel" for a person
jobim's Avatar
  • jobim
  • 03-03-2010, 12:50 PM
I have one and the best I found is T-mobil. You can get sim cards with other state numbers on ebay for half the price and sometimes even have minutes left over from the previous owner. Agree with above, you can change any time the sim card provided you have an unlocked cell phone. T-mobil one year gold prepaid at 100 dollars for 1,000minutes roll over is the best pre paid plan. Go to ebay and you canget the card for between 80-90 dollars. If you still have say 200 minutes left at end of year, then add only 25 dollars and those old minutes plus the 130 minutes you get for 25, will extend now for one new year. Not bad. Net ten is also a good one if you do a lot more talking. always 10 cents a minute. I love my hobby phone, i erase all numbers dialed and incoming after i used it. stays in office with sim card on a separate area.
  • Peter
  • 03-03-2010, 01:21 PM
This was discussed ad nausea in roughly 3 posts in the old ASPD website. There was a generous ASPD brother -- with input from others -- who broke down all of the pros and cons of the different types of phones, plans, and what should be done.

It is a best to select a pre-paid phone (or pay as you go). Add minutes when needed. Some pre-paid phones allow you to activate with little to no personal information required.

In summary, here is some of their other well-heeled recommendations:

* Never leave your hobby phone where your SO (if you have one) may find it
* Never pay for a hobby phone or minutes using credit cards. Cash only!
* Do not use the hobby phone for anything else other than hobbying.
* Routinely clean your phone: delete in/out texts, received calls, and outgoing calls.
* Try calling from a variety of locations -- not just your home. If push comes to shove, Ellie can still isolate you or associate you to a pre-paid phone via cell towers that connected your call(s).

I hope this helps.
laoilman's Avatar
D you have to admit it's pretty convenient if you are in a meeting, in a resturant or where ever to still have the ability to communicate privatelyl. I agree it's not like actually talking to someone but what in today's society allows us to. I think you can probably get a good idea of someone's personality thorugh texting. I agree with Peter it's best to erase all evidence immediately after communication no matter which phone u use.
trekker's Avatar
Yes, I have a hobby phone. Mine is verizon, since with their plan there are no maintenance fees, but some of the T-Moblie options are looking good too.
Hobbihorse2's Avatar
Billy,

You know the saying "there are no stupid questions,..." In this case, I hate to say it but this is a stupid question. The question should be, "who does NOT have a hobby phone? and Why is he taking plausible deniability out of his hobbying?"

HH
HH that is a quailty veiw on the topic!!!!!
Hobbihorse2's Avatar
Billy,

If I offended you, I apologize. I want to make sure that you understand the severity of my reaction. To hobby without a hobby phone is almost as bad as having unprotected sex. Of course, nothing might ever happen, but do you want to risk it? (and in this case, an incident from using your civilian phone is more likely to happen. Think about nosy SO or even LE and phone records. The repercussions might not be as bad as catching something, but then, if one ends up losing half his posessions or even worse a police record, he might disagree)

By having a hobby phone for which you have paid cash, you make sure that you are safe. I am also assuming that you are being safe with your e-mail (a non-descript yahoo mail), your sessions and your screening info.

So spend the $20, get a hobby phone from walmart with prepaid minutes and put on $15 every 2 months. Keep the phone turned off when you are not calling or waiting for a call back from a provider, and you are set.
No HH I was not offended. I am in total agreement with your point!!! As stated earlier I use one and think we should all.
skeeter's Avatar
i actually have 2 hobby phones....in my area Cricket has moved in and offers a great plan....but the coverage is limited if i leave the area until they get their system up all across the country.....no real personal info was given and it has unlimited talk text and internet.....my other is a walmart pay as you go...for when i am out of my area.....