PCM and telephone - HELP

Johndstratford · Sep 15, 2006

I was wondering if anyone can help me with a telephone question.

I have just taken delivery of a 1998 996 with PCM and telephone module. The sat nav part works fine but I was wondering what I need to do to get the telephone working? I know I need a SIM Card in its orginal credit card holder but:

Will modern SIM cards work in the 1998 system?
Can I have two SIMs on the same number and switch between the car and a hand receiver and if so how?
If I need a dedicated phone can it be a pay as you go?
Anything else I need to know?

The user manual explains how to operate the system but not what you need.

Any suggestions or help would be much appreciated

regards

John Stratford
Black 924S
Arena Red 996

garyw · Sep 15, 2006

From the year, I think your looking at PCM1.
It will only work with O2 and Vodaphone networks.
Yes you can use a PAYG card fine. Thats how I had mine, unless I was going to be in the car a long time, where I used to swap SIMS over.
Vodaphone do a twin SIM setup, but you basically pay for another phone on the same bill,
Orange now do a twin SIM (PCM2), the second SIM is £5 per month.

garyw

Johndstratford · Sep 15, 2006

Thanks Gary

I will talk to the local phone guys about getting a SIM

regards

John Stratford
Black 924S
Arena 996

Mercurial · Sep 16, 2006

When you've found out about this please post your findings. I've tried to get to the bottom of it but, apart from finding that Vodafone will do a second SIM (an extra £7 pm), I've not been able to make much progress.

David Vickers · Sep 16, 2006

I've just got a car with PCM1. I got a sim card still in its credit card shaped holder from the Vodaphone web site for free. Its a PAYG on its own number but it pushed in and worked fine without doing anything. Bit of a pain having a second number for the car but as I only use it weekends its OK for me.

Johndstratford · Sep 16, 2006

Thanks for all the responses

I went to the carphone warehouse and the incredibly helpful guy came out inserted the car and set the whole thing and up and tested it for me. He tried a Virgin one but it didn't work so it seems it is only Vodafone work with PCM1. It cost £14.95 for a new SIM card in its credit card holder but works fine.

I will make brief calls from the PAYG number but when I am on business I will divert my business mobile to the car number. Afterall if its work calling they can pay the bill.

Once again thanks for all the help

What a great car the 996 is!

regards

John Stratford
924S
996

Vron · Sep 16, 2006

Hi
I am collecting my 996 on Friday and it has the phone module - is there a credit card size adaptor you can buy to put your sim into to use in the car?
Thanks
Vron

Rodney Naghar · Sep 17, 2006

Go to any phone shop and ask for one (they will think you are weird [

]). They will usually pull one out of the bin and hand it over to you for free. Then tape the SIM (without covering the contacts) into place.
That's what I've done anyway, works a treat.

Mercurial · Sep 17, 2006

Got a PAYG card from the Vodafone website; £2.35 (inc. VAT) delivered. Time bought lasts as long as it lasts provided you make at least one call each month. However, Vodafone will provide two SIMs on one number (may be for contracts only) so you can switch between the two. Originally I was told this costs an extra £7 pm, but have now been told there's no additional charge for the second SIM. Will have to wait to see.

Vron · Sep 18, 2006

I have my old card and thought about the sellotape trick but had visions of the sim becoming detatched and jamming in the dash, will give it a try. Bit of a faf to remove your sim from the phone, sellotape in to the old credit card and vice versa but better to have one number rather than a PAYG with your "proper" number on divert to it when in the car

POR_NT · Sep 19, 2006

Vron,

you can pick up a PAYG sim (Vodafone) off eBay for about a quid! I did.

I then simply programmed the divert/undivert functions in to speed dial buttons on my mobile.

Guest · Sep 20, 2006

Hi all,
Sorry if this is a silly question
I am picking up a 2002 facelift C4 ( my 1st 911) this weekend that also has the PCM phone kit and that slot for the card holder, is this also PCM1 ? I thought this system was called PCM 2 but sounds very similar to that on the 98 car discussed here

Richard_Hamilton · Sep 20, 2006

PCM2 was released in January 2002, so that's what you should have.

David Vickers · Sep 20, 2006

Mines an '02 facelift with PCM1 16 bit.

Richard_Hamilton · Sep 20, 2006

Sorry - dodgy information - I read the date in UK format - It was introduced in September 2002:

delboy · Sep 21, 2006

I too have a problem with my PCM. Can make calls but the microphone doesn't appear to work. Anyone experienced this problem before?

Mercurial · Sep 22, 2006

ORIGINAL: Mercurial

Got a PAYG card from the Vodafone website; £2.35 (inc. VAT) delivered. Time bought lasts as long as it lasts provided you make at least one call each month. However, Vodafone will provide two SIMs on one number (may be for contracts only) so you can switch between the two. Originally I was told this costs an extra £7 pm, but have now been told there's no additional charge for the second SIM. Will have to wait to see.

The card arrived this morning. It was simply a matter of pushing it into the slot. It worked straightaway - no issues.

Watty · Oct 4, 2006

Hi all (first posting on here)

Vodafone multi-SIM is a pain - you have to switch between handset and car EVERY time you get in and out of the car (dial *131*# or something) - I kept forgetting and if you don't drive the car for a week no-one can get hold of you!!! Kind of defeats the whole concept of a mobile!

I now put my main SIM in the car and have it divert to a PAYG number if 'not available' (i'e phone/car switched off). That way it always come through hands-free if I'm in the car, handset if I'm not. Only hassle is having to make calls from a PAYG when out of the car.

Hope that helps...

Mercurial · Oct 6, 2006

ORIGINAL: Watty

Hi all (first posting on here)

Vodafone multi-SIM is a pain - you have to switch between handset and car EVERY time you get in and out of the car (dial *131*# or something) - I kept forgetting and if you don't drive the car for a week no-one can get hold of you!!! Kind of defeats the whole concept of a mobile!

I now put my main SIM in the car and have it divert to a PAYG number if 'not available' (i'e phone/car switched off). That way it always come through hands-free if I'm in the car, handset if I'm not. Only hassle is having to make calls from a PAYG when out of the car.

Hope that helps...

Thanks for that info'. I'm about to switch to Vodafone because of the dual-SIM deal. Your procedure could be a good way of coping.