Will this phone work?

I'm asking here because there doesn't seem to be a group for LG phones.

I picked up a LG VX4400 at at flea market (very cheap) to use as a backup/
emergency phone with Page Plus. It is not currently activated, but
Verizon customer service says it is not stolen and could be activated. I
don't have any experience with CDMA phones as yet, but Page Plus was
recommended for low-cost pre-paid.

When turned on, the phone displays "Service Required", and there is an
icon that looks like a phone handset with a slash through it that means
no signal. Originally I though "Service Required" just meant it has to be
activated, but searching with Google there are some posts that suggest it
means you have to take it in to a dealer to be fixed. I doubt it's worth
doing that -- it may cost more than getting a different phone. (I can go
through all the menus with no problem -- including all the POs contacts,
so the phone seems to be working with the possible exception of the RF
section.)

Can anyone tell me the chances that the phone will work if I try to
activate it?

Also, can this phone be used to call 911? I was unable to call 611, but I
thought unactivated phones are supposed to be able to call 911. My GSM
phone can call 911 even without a SIM (but not 611).

Separate (but maybe related): the pullout antenna is missing except for a
short stub where it was attached. I can insert a stiff wire of about the
right length, and maybe I can find a replacement antenna somewhere
(where?). Is this a serious problem, or maybe the source of the symptoms
above?

Thanks for your advice.

-- Joel

default wrote in alt.cellular.verizon

> I'm asking here because there doesn't seem to be a group for LG phones.
>
> I picked up a LG VX4400 at at flea market (very cheap) to use as a
> backup/ emergency phone with Page Plus. It is not currently activated,
> but Verizon customer service says it is not stolen and could be
> activated. I don't have any experience with CDMA phones as yet, but Page
> Plus was recommended for low-cost pre-paid.
>
> When turned on, the phone displays "Service Required", and there is an
> icon that looks like a phone handset with a slash through it that means
> no signal. Originally I though "Service Required" just meant it has to
> be activated, but searching with Google there are some posts that
> suggest it means you have to take it in to a dealer to be fixed. I doubt
> it's worth doing that -- it may cost more than getting a different
> phone. (I can go through all the menus with no problem -- including all
> the POs contacts, so the phone seems to be working with the possible
> exception of the RF section.)
>
> Can anyone tell me the chances that the phone will work if I try to
> activate it?

I cannot say whether the carrier you are choosing will activate it or
not, but the service required almost definitely means that you need
to get it activated. I am also not sure if the software on the phone
will allow it to work on any other network.

>
> Also, can this phone be used to call 911? I was unable to call 611, but
> I thought unactivated phones are supposed to be able to call 911. My GSM
> phone can call 911 even without a SIM (but not 611).
>

All phones built in the past few years are required to be able to call
911 for emergencies. 611 is not an emergency service. Without being
activated phones will only call 911.

> Separate (but maybe related): the pullout antenna is missing except for
> a short stub where it was attached. I can insert a stiff wire of about
> the right length, and maybe I can find a replacement antenna somewhere
> (where?). Is this a serious problem, or maybe the source of the symptoms
> above?

Separate issue, and may or may not cause a problem.

--
Dick #1349
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." ~Benjamin Franklin

Home Page: dickcr.iwarp.com
email: dickcr@gmail.net