[vcf-midatlantic] Museum wireless doorbell thingamajig

[Evan Koblentz]

I'm looking for an innovative (read: simple and cheap) way for museum visitors to press a button in order to alert our docents who may be elsewhere, such as working in the warehouse or visiting other InfoAge exhibits.

There are video doorbell products from Ring.com and others ranging from $120-$300. These have cameras connecting to smartphone apps. That way range isn't an issue and you can have video conversations. These products are awesome but expensive.

What's a cheaper solution?

There is no easy way to run a wire from our museum to the warehouse.

Video is not necessary, but a simple "house phone" approach would work (such as in an office building or hotel) or even just a buzzer. Or maybe some kind of pager.

This is a project I'd like to get done very soon, not just someday.

Most of all, if people have proposals that require engineering, then we need to see "I'll do it" not "Here's what someone should do".