Sim card for PCM2

Hi, I am new to this forum and have a quick question about sim cards for the PCM2 unit. I have done a search and found that the most common way to use the phone module is to buy a second sim card and divert calls from my mobile handset to the car when left unanswered. However, I am on a PAYG tarrif so would this be economical to do it this way? Would I end up paying for the call to be diverted? Personally, I don't make many calls but I do receive quite a few. I have done a google search for cloning my current Sim card so that I can have two with the same number and found this device: http://www.mobileguru.co.uk/cgi-bin...Clone__Reader_and_Writer.html#a1_2165#a1_2165 Have I misinterpreted what this device can do? Has anyone else tried to use a cloned card? I have also read on this forum that Vodafone can supply a second sim card for the same number, but I presume this will be for contract or business users only, not PAYG.

Hi, Call divert from one PAYG phone not a good idea and expensive. Not sure what network you're on.. you can actually enable this feature officially via the operator. Speak with customer services. If you're on Orange it's called 'Single number' done automatically when car is active If you're on Vodafone it's called 'Multi Line' done via a code manually Not sure about o2 / t-mobile sorry. Orange service is better so would be better to transfer your number to them if it suits you. Other options: Buy a motorola clip - handsfree device can play through stereo or built in loudspeaker via bluetooth works well. Buy a decent headunit to replace PCM2, not good for porsche warranty would need to be swapped over when you take it into Porsche. Don't bother with the SIM clone kit, they don't work with USIM 3G sims hope that helps! brumbrum

Thanks for the reply BrumBrum. I am actually on Vodafone PAYG, so I will ring them to enquire about the multi-line option. I would rather stay with the PCM2 unit. I know it is not best and technology has moved on, but the car is currently under a Porsche warranty. Excuse my ignorance, but what is a USIM 3G sim? My phone is very old and the sim is even older, maybe 8 years. I am not one for keeping up with mobile technology. I thought 3G technology was quite recent, is the Sim cloner still unlikely to work? Many thanks

Hi, The carrier options I descibed above are for contract customers, I'm not 100% sure the feature is available on PAYG networks, but suppose you can always change to a low cost contract. USIMs are just a later sim card standard, bought out around 2002 in the UK, they allow compatbility with 3G/HSDPA handsets and are more secure. As a rule of thumb all sim clone tools are for pre USIM simcards, pre 2002 and will not work with the updated encryption of the newer sim card type. So if your sim is 2002 or older and in a non 3G handset you may be able to use a sim clone tool, so you might be ok. Anyway give Vodafone a call and see what they say! brumbrum

I rang Vodafone and they said that they no longer offer the Multi-Sim option. They also said that you can only set up the divert option on a contract - which makes sense. Anyhow, I have purchased a second PAYG sim card for the car, also on Vodafone but obviously on a new number. The problem I have now is that it won't bring up the phone book on the PCM2 unit for the new sim card. Is this also to do with the age of the sim card, or is there something else wrong? The phone book is available both on the phone handset and the PCM2 for the older sim, but just the phone for the new sim. Cheers Lee

why not upgrade to a contract, i think the cheapest is £20 a month

Hi Lee, Check and see how may phone numbers can be stored on each card by putting them in your phone, it's likely the newer sim can store more and the device (PCM) cannot read the memory. You may be able to get a software update to sort this - check with your local OPC But really you should consider a decent modern unit and ditch the PCM and mult-sim, divert solution

Orange do a service called anyphone or something along those lines... I'm not sure of what contract you need to be on, but its a system that sends the caller directly to a number you specify with your main phone- whether its on or off.. at no additional cost, nor is the caller aware that its not your usual phone number they have called. It even leaves the answerphone messages on your normal number. garyw

800 mins, unlimited texts, keep your number, keep your phone, £18.00 per month, free calls to other 02 numbers. also just bought myself a really smart number from ebay, 07?? 999 911 got that on a contract instead of pay as you go. number cost me £8.00 what a bargin! dropped in into my sim in the car and bingo!