PCM1 - telephone functionality (help)

Ok, got myself a Vodafone multi-sim, and I can now toggle between mobile and car with a simple command! Brilliant! (can now eBay my bluetooth Parrot kit). However, I don't have the PCM user manual, so while I can find my way around the basic options, there are others that I do not know how to use, which currently includes the "Copy SIM" & "Merge SIM" options... Can anyone advise how these work (I'm wondering if they will facilitate the transfer of my telephone numbers from my original SIM to my new SIM - the new one, incidentally, is still fixed in to the large "adaptor" card, and this is the way I want it to stay, to stop it from suddenly falling out, otherwise I'd simply use my mobile to transfer numbers). Alternatively, if someone could advise me of a source of these instructions, or scan and email me the relevant pages (or the whole guide [ ]) I'd be extremely grateful. Thanks, Neil.

Hi Neil, I have a PCM1 manual I can copy and post you if you like, feel free to email me your address directly. The car is at OPC until Thursday then I am away until next week so you will have to wait until after Easter if thats OK. Alternatively Porsche in Reading may be able to supply you with the relevant pages. Question, have you already tried your sim card in the PCM module and does it work? Cheers, Rob

I have PCM1 too, but I read on another thread that as the networks now are digital (whearas PCM1 was around when networks were analogue), new SIMS won't work? I've only had the car a few weeks and haven't bothered even trying my PCM at all......tell me it ain't so?

Rob - yes I have, and it works fine. Many thanks for the offer of a copied manual. Please use [email removed] . Rodney - I also read that, and was a little concerned (although my original SIM is a very early one, so if it had come to that, I would have used my original in the car, and the new SIM in the mobile), but the new SIM works fine in the car! A real result! No more dismantling my mobile, sellotaping my sim in to the adaptor, and hoping it doesn't fall out in to the PCM! Thanks guys.

Result!!![ ] Thanks Neil, you've made my day!

Can we start from the beginning - what is a multi-sim and how does the toggling work in practice? Are you saying you don't have to put a sim into the pcm?

Multisim means you have two sims - one permanently in the car, another in your handset. Short codes (*#23# or something like that) toggle between the two to determine which one receives the calls. I had multi-sim for a while but it was expensive (on vodaphone at least) and a PITA cos I kept forgetting to toggle between the two. These days I keep my advertised number in the car and set it to divert when off to another number in my handset. Doesnt work for texts but otherwise much more convenient. If I'm in the car the PCM picks it up, otherwise diverts to my handset. Cheaper and no more messing about with short codes etc.

Take a look here at some FAQs on the Vodafone site... http://www.vodafonebusiness.co.uk/index.php?page=140 I don't think it's too badly priced (£7 per month), and when compared to the alternative options which are: (1) swapping your SIM between devices each time - time consuming & very fiddly; (2) buying and installing an OEM bluetooth kit - expensive & technically fraught; (3) not bothering and simply answering your mobile on the move - illegal, and dangerous (4) using a bluetooth headset - best alternative option, and have previously tried this, but then you have to ensure your headset is charged & then there's the issue that the audio quality will never be as good as your PCM. So, as I've got PCM, I'm intent on using it, and multiSIM is perfect for me. Just need to get my missus a multiSIM too...I'm going to ask Vodafone if they can put both numbers on to the one SIM - think I know the answer, but will check anyway. Neil.

I called Vodafone today about Multi-Sim. Very dissapointed. If you want to transfer, you have to terminate your existing contract with them and pay the rest of your contract out. Then you go on a Multi-Sim contract which is £20pm for the cheapest tariff and £7pm for every other Sim you require. This gives you 60 minutes talktime. £35 gives you 100 minutes, £45 - 200 minutes. However, the talktime is only intra-network and to landlines, and you cannot get text bundles at all. I bought a Vodafone Pay as you go SIM on Ebay instead for £1 (inclusive of shipping+£1 talk time). Stick that in your car, and put your mobile on divert to the new SIM card while you are driving. End of.

Hi Some very interesting points raised here -I tried to get a duplicate sim card for my 997 but was told no-way by my provider. Rodney's pay-as-you-go seems to be the most practical solution - I had also thought of buying a bluetooth mobile (to replace our aged Siemens) but then discovered that the PCM Phone module apparently does not support bluetooth (very useful - not!). Possible solution for me is to buy bluetooth phone and then one of those bluetooth ear-set receivers, so if phone goes, I get it broadcast direct to my lughole and I can yak on the move without breaking the law. Ear-set cost £25, which isn't bad value. Of course, down side is that I'll look like something beamed down from Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy with the gadget strapped to the side of my head - nil point street cred! Rob[ ]

I'm looking into SIM cloning now. Plenty on Ebay, but I haven't yet found one that will clone SIMS made after March 1 2005, the security on the newer SIMS made them much harder to clone apparently.[8|]

Hi Rodney Sim cloning - now there's a good thought! Please let me know if you find a practical and easy means of doing this, as I'd love to get one over on our phone provider![ ] Cheers Rob

Hi Rob, I've sent some questions to the Ebay sellers, when they get back to me I'll let you know.

No go unfortunately. SIMS created since March 2005 apparently can't be cloned.....although I'm sure if I signed on some sad esoteric mobile chat forum I'd find a way of cloning one. Back to the pay as you go option for me.