Would this work?

[Driver]

Hey all,

Is it true they can trace mobile phones?

If so i was thinking connecting a cheap prepaid phone in my car, connecting it to the battery and hiding it so if my car was to get stolen the cops or whoever could trace it..

Or am i talking outa my ass

Thanks

Brendan

[Abo Bob]

I think they can, whether they do or not for a stolen car I don't know. Might be major expense involved to do it.

[Driver]

The cost wouldnt matter, as ild want my car back

[DJ984]

Wouldn't you need to know a fed. police officer to be able to do it?....

[DJ984]

Still a good idea.... (till they burn the car out)... lol

[NuGGeT]

yeh they dont normally trace phones for people. bunch of tight ass's

[GunMetalR33]

I have a device that calls my mobile when my car alarm goes off. Then I can activate a relay by pushing 7 on my mobile. The relay can switch anything you want like fuel pump etc... You can also hear what is going on in the car.

I think it cost me about $60, i have not got it in yet but a mate of mine has the same thing and it work fine.

[JiVE]

Im not sure if its possible or not,

But even if it is. Unless the mobile is on a constant call. You would only be able to trace it to the the current cell the mobile is in (in other words the closest tower)

So you might find yourself narrowing it down to a suburb, but a suburb is a big place. And unless the theifs are complete morons it will be in a garage and you won't be able to just cruise around and have a look for it.

[CGB_R32]

its normally upwards of a grand to trace a mobile, thats why people often prefear to buy a new fone other than tracing it, therefore if u goin to spend this sort of money wouldnt it be more feasible to have a satnav system for this same reason?

Michael

[51jay]

I have a device that calls my mobile when my car alarm goes off. Then I can activate a relay by pushing 7 on my mobile. The relay can switch anything you want like fuel pump etc... You can also hear what is going on in the car.

I think it cost me about $60, i have not got it in yet but a mate of mine has the same thing and it work fine.

That sounds very interesting....can you post more details??

[dan_the_man]

Im not sure if its possible or not,

But even if it is. Unless the mobile is on a constant call. You would only be able to trace it to the the current cell the mobile is in (in other words the closest tower)

So you might find yourself narrowing it down to a suburb, but a suburb is a big place. And unless the theifs are complete morons it will be in a garage and you won't be able to just cruise around and have a look for it.

Why do you say it would have to be on a constant call?

[knore]

It must be connected to somewhere constantly, IE left on the hook

All i know is tracing a mobile phone is nothing like the movies, it takes time, and if the car is moving then it would be very hard

[dan_the_man]

So your saying the network would not be able to trace a phone when it is just turned on but not on a call?

[Driver]

i would of thought it could..

I mean its always talking to the phone towers getting a signal 'n all..

[funkymonkey]

I have a device that calls my mobile when my car alarm goes off. Then I can activate a relay by pushing 7 on my mobile. The relay can switch anything you want like fuel pump etc... You can also hear what is going on in the car.

I think it cost me about $60, i have not got it in yet but a mate of mine has the same thing and it work fine.

This just stood up and caught my attention... details please

[bangahh]

http://www.ja-gps.com.au/carminder_index.html

Want to keep track of an outdoor object for less than $900? Here's the simple answer, built right here in Australia. It is easy to install, and reliable.

When installed with a 12v power source, it can send an SMS message to ANY SMS capable mobile phone, giving latitude and longitude, and street directory reference (all capital cities). This unit can be installed anywhere- a bike, car, earthmoving machinery, boat, and trailer. The system can be wired to a car or boat alarm, so that it automatically sends the message when the alarm is activated. The applications are limited only by your imagination, and the range of the GSM mobile phone network.

The price of $891 gives you a plain black box, which includes the GPS and GSM aerials, installed mobile phone with pre-set number and SIM card, and power and aerial cabling. You can install it yourself, or employ an auto-electrician.

How do you operate it?

Just dial the pre-set number of your Carminder using ANY SMS capable mobile phone. Within 30 seconds, Carminder sends you an SMS message, detailing the position, direction and speed of the vehicle in which it is installed. This position can be located on a directory, or a digital map. The SMS service from carminder is pin-code protected, so you have complete control over how and where Carminder messages are sent.

What is the cost?

The only cost is the six monthly fee (approximately $30) to re-charge the SIM card on the Carminder phone, and the cost of any calls you make to the Carminder.

[superspit]

http://www.ja-gps.com.au/carminder_index.html

Want to keep track of an outdoor object for less than $900? Here's the simple answer, built right here in Australia. It is easy to install, and reliable.  

When installed with a 12v power source, it can send an SMS message to ANY SMS capable mobile phone, giving latitude and longitude, and street directory reference (all capital cities). This unit can be installed anywhere- a bike, car, earthmoving machinery, boat, and trailer. The system can be wired to a car or boat alarm, so that it automatically sends the message when the alarm is activated. The applications are limited only by your imagination, and the range of the GSM mobile phone network.

The price of $891 gives you a plain black box, which includes the GPS and GSM aerials, installed mobile phone with pre-set number and SIM card, and power and aerial cabling. You can install it yourself, or employ an auto-electrician.

 

How do you operate it?

Just dial the pre-set number of your Carminder using ANY SMS capable mobile phone. Within 30 seconds, Carminder sends you an SMS message, detailing the position, direction and speed of the vehicle in which it is installed. This position can be located on a directory, or a digital map. The SMS service from carminder is pin-code protected, so you have complete control over how and where Carminder messages are sent.

What is the cost?

The only cost is the six monthly fee (approximately $30) to re-charge the SIM card on the Carminder phone, and the cost of any calls you make to the Carminder.

Now that ain't talkin out of ya bumhole!!! Ace unit...I want one of these!!

[x2shy]

To clarify a point. You don't need to be on a call all the time.

When a phone is turned on, it looks for a network cell. It then send the ID of the SIM card with the ID of the phone, which in turn updates the network/phone database.

So when you call a number, it looks for that phones cell, then sends a "ring ring" to the phone, which is linked to the sim card.

What is also sent to the phone when it is turned on is what other cells are around it.

The phone keeps monitoring those other cell stations. When you move around and it gets a better signal from another cell, it would then use the better strength cell staiton as it's "base"

This is an ongoing process and that's what those stupid sounds that you get on your radio station just before the phone rings or it changes base stations (Geeks: this is basically your phone doing a ping/network scan)

SOOOOO what does this mean? At any given point in time there are about 3/4 stations that know where and at what strength your phones is.

Simple trig would allow you to at least pin point the phone to "about" 25 meters.

Do this at say 4am on a tuesday and you could probably find your car.

If phone companies would do this another whole kettle of fish.

Oh, which brings up another point. The telco providers have had the technology (cuz it is built into the GSM networks) to trace and block IMEI numbers of mobile phones.

It isn't worth it too them though as one person signs up for 12 months on a contract, loses it, either pays out contrct or gets new phone, meanwhile stolen phone is also contected. So they get two people making calls on the one contract. Schemeing buggers.

[dan_the_man]

Oh, which brings up another point. The telco providers have had the technology (cuz it is built into the GSM networks) to trace and block IMEI numbers of mobile phones.

It isn't worth it too them though as one person signs up for 12 months on a contract, loses it, either pays out contrct or gets new phone, meanwhile stolen phone is also contected. So they get two people making calls on the one contract. Schemeing buggers.

I was under the impression that IMEI blocking is now enabled on all networks and is already in use

[funkymonkey]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...ssPageName=WDVW

if you wanna keep tabs on where your car is.