ETACS based RLL terminal
About RLL
RLL (Radio in Local Loop) was used to extend fixed line networks to rural areas in some countries. The last part of the wired line (Local loop) was replaced with a radio connection.
RLL terminals was based on the cellular technology but the mains powered wall mounted devices wasn't allow the subscribers to carry their devices around. The RLL terminals had a stanard connector to connect traditional line phones so subscribers could use it same way as fixed line phone. It given dialtone and was capable to accept older pulse dialing or newer tone dialing (DTMF) phones.
RLL in Hungary
In Hungary Ericsson RAS 1000 and Motorola analogue RLL sysems was used from 1994 to 2001. From 2001 the phone companies started to replace old terminals to the GSM based ones.
These terminals worked with Motorola RLL system based on 900 MHz ETACS standard. Operated by "Matáv" the state phone company. The Motorola RLL system was adapted to using in Hungary by "HungaroCom" company. The cells was about 25 km diameter but handovers were disabled so if the subsciber dismounted his device from the wall he could use it whitin his village, but only in the associated cell. In the late 1990's 200 000 subscibers used RLL phones in Hungary.
Look inside
The transceiver unit has a BABT green dot type approval label, same as the UK phones.
The S/1357/4/K/501705 TAC number in this transceiver refers to JOAN II, LEXUS, and TRAVELLER phones in the UK ETACS type approval lists, so these sould have identical harwdare.
The main unit (big PCB) generated dialtone and translated pulse or DTMF signals for the trasceiver, the smaller PCB mounted over the bigger one was the cipher. Cipher panels installed later, because the 900 MHz analogue talks could be intercepted with a standard amateur radio. These terminals had bulit-in batteries so subscribers could place emergency calls during blackouts.
The main PCB have got a connector for standard Motorola cellphone handset (I tried MCR 4800XL's /NMT-450/ handset) so the transceiver can be programmed in this way.
See another Motorola RLL here:
http://www.mobilecollectors.net/phone/3222
