Description
Motorola S3228A Analog Bag Cell Phone 3W 12VDC w/ Battery Car Charger & Bag
The Motorola S3228A is a vintage analog bag cell phone manufactured by Motorola Inc. in the USA. It operates on 12VDC negative ground primary power and delivers a transmit power output of 3W. The phone uses the AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System) analog cellular standard. This complete set includes the handset, a black leather carry bag, an external 12V 2.3Ah battery unit (Type SCN2398A), and a car charger power supply cord.
Specifications & What's Included
- Manufacturer: Motorola Inc., Made in USA
- Model: S3228A
- FCC ID: ABZ89FT5725
- Transmit Power Output: 3W
- Primary Power: 12VDC Negative Ground
- Network Type: Analog (AMPS)
- External Battery Unit: Type SCN2398A, 12V 2.3Ah, Made in USA by Motorola Inc.
- Front panel: LCD display, numeric keypad, speaker grille, coiled handset cord
- Antenna: Extended whip antenna (rubber tip cap broken off — see photos)
- Included: Motorola S3228A handset, black leather carry bag with handle, external 12V 2.3Ah SCN2398A battery/power unit, car charger power supply cord with cigarette lighter plug and pass-through power socket
- Battery note: No guarantee on the battery — charge-holding capacity untested
Applications
Bag phones like the Motorola S3228A were the dominant form of portable cellular communication in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before compact handheld phones became affordable and widespread. They were designed to operate from a vehicle's 12V power system and drew their name from the soft-sided carry bag used to transport them. The S3228A used the AMPS analog standard, the first-generation (1G) cellular network that launched commercially in North America in 1983 and remained in service through the early 2000s before being shut down. These phones were used by business travelers, real estate professionals, field service technicians, and others who needed reliable mobile communications before compact handsets became the norm. Today, Motorola bag phones are collected as vintage communications artifacts from the early era of mobile telephony, and the Motorola brand's role in pioneering cellular technology makes these pieces of particular historical interest to collectors.
This Motorola S3228A Analog Bag Cell Phone is being sold as-is. The rubber tip cap on the antenna is broken off, exposing the antenna core — this is clearly shown in the photos. No guarantee is provided on the battery (12V 2.3Ah, SCN2398A); it has not been tested and its charge-holding capacity is unknown. The phone itself has not been tested at our facility and is sold without any guarantee of functionality. The set includes the handset, a black leather carry bag, the external 12V 2.3Ah battery unit (SCN2398A), and a car charger power supply cord. Please review all photos carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
Motorola |
Model: |
S3228A |
MPN: |
S3228A |
Secondary Model: |
SCN2398A |
FCC ID: |
ABZ89FT5725 |
Type: |
Analog Bag Cell Phone |
SKU: |
40051 |
Seller Notes: |
Includes handset, leather carry bag, external 12V 2.3Ah battery (SCN2398A), and car charger power supply cord. |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Power Requirements: |
12VDC Negative Ground (Primary) |
Transmit Power Output: |
3W |
Battery Voltage: |
12V 2.3Ah (SCN2398A external battery) |
Form Factor: |
Portable / Bag Phone |
Compatible With: |
Standard 12V vehicle cigarette lighter / power outlet |
Network Type: |
Analog (AMPS) |
Era / Vintage: |
Late 1980s – Early 1990s |
Condition Notes: |
Motorola S3228A Analog Bag Cell Phone sold as-is. Antenna rubber tip cap is broken off. No guarantee on the 12V 2.3Ah battery. Not tested; no functionality guarantee. Includes handset, leather bag, external battery, and car charger. |
California Prop 65 Warning: |
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, and DEHP (a phthalate), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Go to P65Warnings.ca.gov |
