VOIP using Nextel?

[RESCUE161]

I want to use Nextel phones in a VOIP application. Two will use the off-Network DC as there is no service where they will be. The other two will use regular DC. I have cradles and bases to put the ones that would be hooked to the computers. The off-Network phones will only be used within a mile of each other. Can this be done? What type of software / hardware should I use? I have several months to come up with a cheap solution. This is so I can chat back home while in a remote area with internet access. I am unable to be tied to sitting at my laptop and would need a PTT solution. Just like Echolink, but not for ham use. Nextel is a must on the On-Network DC because the wife is not going to carry around a real radio. The other side can use whatever, but I have some extra phones that will work Off-Network, so I figured why not.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Cowboy]

I want to use Nextel phones in a VOIP application. Two will use the off-Network DC as there is no service where they will be. The other two will use regular DC. I have cradles and bases to put the ones that would be hooked to the computers. The off-Network phones will only be used within a mile of each other. Can this be done? What type of software / hardware should I use? I have several months to come up with a cheap solution. This is so I can chat back home while in a remote area with internet access. I am unable to be tied to sitting at my laptop and would need a PTT solution. Just like Echolink, but not for ham use. Nextel is a must on the On-Network DC because the wife is not going to carry around a real radio. The other side can use whatever, but I have some extra phones that will work Off-Network, so I figured why not.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Just a heads up -
Our local experience with Direct Talk (off network direct connect) has been 300' - 1/3 mile max... YMMV...

[alex]

There are some cradles that interface with Motobridge that use nextel phones to connect to the nextel network. They are about $500 each - so I haven't purchased one to experiment with. These may have some of the lines you would need to accomplish this task.

I'll try and locate the part number for you, but I doubt Motorola would get specific with what is included.

[RESCUE161]

I've had good results with DirectTalk for up to a mile. Here there are a lot of trees, so I expect it to be better range where we're going (flat/desert).

I was looking at /\/\y_2cents product and it looks like it'll do the trick. Hardware wise, I can pretty much figure it out. It's the software part that would get me. I'd need to know how to make the units that were hooked to the PC transmit when the PC received a signal.