>FR=N J=N C=N PF=2>#27,69,November 27, 1983Dear Karen and Rich,     Last night Sandy, Mary and Doug, Joan and Kurt, and Shirley and I had a brief discussion about what we might get Dad and Donna for Christmas this year. It is difficult to shop for someone who has so many things already. Someone in the group mentioned the possibility of going together and buying a cordless phone. We discussed several of the features available, and (perhaps because I have the hairiest face?) I was asked to shop and see what we could get, and at the same time to contact all of us siblings and inquire who would like to join in a group gift. That's why I am writing today.     On the way home this afternoon, we stopped at Meijer's to pick up a few items, and looked at cordless phones there. I found one which has all the features we considered. It's a GE Voyager, model 2-9650, and has a range of 1000' (most of them have a maximum range of 700'). It has two channels, so people can carry on a private conversation outside the hearing of the caller. The way this might work would be if one person is inside, let's say in the kitchen, and the other person outside, and they want to talk to each other without the person who called them hearing. The base, as it is called, is connected to the regular phone, so the person inside is using that. The person outside switches the handset to the other channel, and the person inside uses the intercom function on the base. There is also an electronic mute, which works like a hold button. In addition, this model has an anti-piracy security switch. As more people buy these phones, the two major channels are becoming jammed. It is possible for your neighbor to accidentally (or purposefully) use his handset and your base connection, and bill long distance charges to your number. This phone prevents this, by providing the option to create your own electronic channel, from 256 options. It works on both touch tone and rotary systems, so requires no registration with the phone company, or costly reconnections or switchovers. You just plug in the base, which will automatically charge the battery built into the handset, and go. There is an extra recharging cradle, which you can put anywhere, so the cordless can also serve as a remote, in the bedroom or livingroom, for example, without the need for a phone jack. It also has automatic redial of the last number dialed, which is handy if it should be busy. The base can page the handset, and thus the cordless phone can also be used as an intercom. If you go to Tepe's, or have a catalog, you can see it in more detail. Now the good news.     The phone lists for $199.95. Tepe's sells it for $169.97. Meijer's sells it for $146.77. I had a 20% off coupon which expired today, so I used it. The final price, including tax, was 122.12. This is not so much, if we share it several ways.     Please do not feel obligated to participate in this project. If you would rather not, that will be fine. If you do want to join in the cordless phone gift, please let us know. We need not share equally. I would suggest that each contribute whatever they wish. Our circumstances and families differ greatly. Shirley and I will contribute the balance.     This probably comes as something of a surprise to you. It did to me too, and I realize that the timing may be awkward. However, I am convinced that this is a Terrific value. Indeed, it is the one I would buy for myself, if I were in the market, and I'm certain that Dad and Donna will love it.     Whatever you decide, please let us hear from you within the next two weeks. We expect by then to know when Dad will be having his Christmas get-together. We have not discussed some of the other details, such as a card. Should comeone get one card for all of us to sign, or should we get individual cards and tape them all to the box? Again, please let us know what you think.     In the meantime, I hope this finds you all well. I was fortunate to spend about 45 minutes with Grandpa this morning. We had a nice visit. If you have a few minutes, I'm sure he would enjoy seeing you. I too am looking forward to seeing you and yours again soon.Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                             