Mobile radiotelephone made by Novatel Communications
Object No. 2004/85/1
The radiotelephone can be used for exhibition and research of the development of mobile telephony products, their design use and impact. Throughout the 1990s mobile telephone handset design, development and production accelerated along with the acceptance and consumption of the product. During the later part of the 1990s the Museum's collection of mobile telephone products grew as we selectively accepted various products representative of the developments of the late 1980s and early to mid 1990s. The Novatel installed into a briefcase is the earliest first generation radiotelephone to be offered to the Museum and greatly complements the existing collection. It comes directly from the original purchaser and user of the device who provided valuable information pithy observations regarding its purchase and use.
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Summary
Object Statement
Radiotelephone with cables and instruction manual, mobile, fitted in briefcase, plastic / fabric / metal / electronic components, radiotelephone design and manufacture by Novatel Communications Ltd, Canada, 1985, briefcase installation design by Allan Electronics (Aust) Pty Ltd, Enfield, New South Wales, Australia, 1986
Physical Description
Novatel radiotelephone installed into aluminium and wood briefcase. Aluminium and wood briefcase opens to reveal a black plastic handset that is plugged into the radiotelephone circuit. the case is fully lined with black fabric. There is a power adaptor for running and recharging the unit from 240 mains outlets and a cable that can be used to connect the unit to a 12V car circuit. A key should be left in place in the panel that covers the electronic components of the radiotelephone. An aerial which should be stored in the case can be removed and fitted to the radio frequency connector on the outside of the briefcase. The three small holes built into the briefcase panel accept connectors for a speaker, a microphone and another unknown device. There is a paperback instruction manual printed in English and French.
DIMENSIONS
Height
385 mm
Width
480 mm
Depth
560 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Phone components designed and manufactured by Novatel Communications (Ltd) Canada. Briefcase installation by Allen Electronics (Aust) Pty Ltd
HISTORY
Notes
The radiotelephone was purchased new by the donor after seeing the same or similar unit on display at a trade show. What appealed to the donor was that in comparison to other mobile telephone products available at that time it offered more features that would be useful to him - most importantly there were no other products which had the facility to plug in a speaker and microphone for hands free use in the car. (unfortunately the plug in units were removed for use with another product and subsequently discarded). It could also be used for extended periods remote from power sources that exceeded all other manufacturers specifications. Another appealing factor which secured the sale of this device to the donor was that it did not look like a piece of farm equipment - that as a briefcase it was also aesthetically pleasing and useful. The initial cost of the unit was around $5,000 in 1986.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of David Baggs, 2004
Acquisition Date
19 May 2004
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