Cell Phone Terms

The following glossary should answer a lot of your questions concerning our part descriptions and other related terms in the wireless industry.

ANT: Antenna, either retractable, 1", 3", 6" rubber flex, stubby.

(BEL) Eliminators replace the battery in the unit; they look like a battery with a cord attached. Savers also connect to the vehicle's DC power supply via the cigarette lighter plug.

BATTERIES
The most common types of batteries for wireless phones are listed below, with their various advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of the technology, most handheld and portable units will accept a "standard" or "extended" battery, with the additional output of the latter adding to the length of time the battery will power the unit.

BAT: Battery, Ni-Cad=nickel cadmium, Ni-mh=nickel metal hydride, Li-lithium, & Lead Acid

NiCd-NICKEL CADMIUM
NiCd batteries are known for the "memory effect" that they develop if repeatedly charged without being fully discharged. These batteries also self-discharge if left unused, losing 10% of their power the first 24 hours, then 1% to 2% a day thereafter. They perform best if used regularly. Chargers for NiCd batteries should have circuitry that prevents overcharging, which ruins the battery. These batteries are environmentally harmful, and should be disposed of as toxic waste. The recommended charging process is a constant charge, as when sitting in a base unit or plugged into the lighter socket in a car.

NiMH - NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE
This technology can provide as much as 30% more capacity than a NiCd battery of the same size. These batteries contain no toxins, and are consequently more environmentally friendly than NiCd. Unlike NiCd, deep discharging contributes to a decline in the life of the battery, as does constant over-charging. In general, NiMH technology is sensitive to overcharging than and the recommended charging process is a constant charge. These Batteries should also always be rapid charged. The charger should be designed to monitor the charging process, as well as the heat of the battery.

Li-Ion - LITHIUM ION
Lithium batteries deliver greater performance with lighter weight than the nickel-based batteries listed above. They develop no memory effect, and are non-toxic; but they are more expensive. Charging requires a controlled, constant voltage process, and the useful life of these batteries can be reduced up to 60% if overcharged. Use only chargers that are recommended or designed for Li-Ion batteries. Chargers made only for the nickel-based batteries should never be used to charge lithium batteries.

LEAD ACID
Used commonly with transportable cellular phones, the higher power output of SLA batteries is reflected in their size and weight. SLA batteries should be stored fully charged; otherwise, the chemical components will deteriorate rapidly. Slow charging is recommended. These batteries have the lowest number of charging cycles of all four types, and hence have a shorter life.

CASES
Cases are available for all popular phones. The cases provide protection for the phone, and typically also feature carrying straps. The most common material for cases is cowhide genuine leather.

CSE: Leather case, available with or without plastic faces, gold or black hardware.

CHARGERS
It is important to use the correct charger for your battery. Chargers are usually referred to as "overnight" or "rapid". Overnight chargers will charge a battery in eight to ten hours. They provide a low charge rate, and often lack the safety features of preventing overcharging due to the fact that batteries can better withstand low charge current on a continuous basis. Rapid chargers, as the name implies, recharge batteries more quickly. The charge isn't continuous; rather, it's reduced as the battery reaches full charge. There are three types of chargers: Vehicle cigarette lighter plug-ins, desktop chargers made for indoor use, and small travel chargers that simply plug in to an electrical outlet.

Vehicle Chargers

BEC: Plug-in charger vehicle charger. Premium intelligent chip controls current and voltage, 3-stage LED (rapid, slow, trickle), tough polycarbonate housing, stainless steel tip, extra long, high quality cord with heavy-duty strain relief, reverse polarity protection.

(PRO) Promo line has: dual stage LED (charging, ready), smart chip monitors current and voltage, premium strain relief?s, reverse polarity protection.

Desktop chargers

This type has a housing into which the battery is inserted; slots often offer options of inserting the battery or batteries, or the complete phone unit itself. Visual status displays are provided to indicate when the battery is completely charged. Desktop rapid chargers are also used as a battery "conditioner", because they have the ability to completely discharge a battery before the charging process begins.

CHG: Flat bed charger/conditioner, charges one battery at a time, includes AC and DC adapter for home or vehicle capabilities.

DPC: Dual port charger/conditioner, charges phone battery and back-up battery at the same time, includes AC adapter and lighter adapter for mobile use.

TRV: Small, lightweight and generally lacking in displays and indicators. The charger directly links the battery to an AC power source.

CLP: Belt clip, swivel, vibrating, straight, available for specific models or universal.

(CVR) face plate covers. Protective housing protects your phone and also gives your phone many fashionable looks. Face Plates come in many different colors.

HANDS-FREE KITS
With a Hands-Free Kit, you can use your cell phone in your car without holding the handset. An external speaker and microphone provide you with, in effect, a speakerphone in your vehicle. Hands-Free Kits are available as mounted units, generally used with mobile units, and as portable styles that can be used with transportable, portable, and hand-held units. Mounted kits are connected to the vehicle's power supply; portable kits generally use a cigarette lighter adapter.

HFK: Wireless hands-free kits that allows for the use of the phone without interfering with one's driving by not having to lift or hold the handset to one's ear.

Talk Time: The length of time you can talk on your portable or transportable cellular phone without recharging the battery. Normally stated in minutes.

VEH: Vehicle holder designed to fit any size phone.

VMT: Vehicle mount designed to fit any size phone.

VWM: Vehicle