External GSM Mobile phone antennas

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 12:29
ThreadID: 15496 Views:1868 Replies:3 FollowUps:4
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Hi all,
Just after people’s experiences with using those external broomstick mobile phone antennas. I have a Nokia 6100 and it doesn't have an external antenna socket but the car kit (cark-126) has this inductive style pickup that sits behind the phone when it is sitting in the cradle. Now I have tried a normal through glass antenna and it didn't seem to make any difference. Will a better antenna like these broomstick type make a difference. On the 6310 style phone it definitely does but these phones have a direct antenna connection.

Leroy
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Reply By: Vince NSW - Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 13:27

Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 13:27
Arn't the broomsticks only for CDMA?
AnswerID: 72285

Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 16:40

Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 16:40
I had a Nokia GSM phone and a full in-car kit with white broomstick antenna.
About 12 months ago I decided to update to CDMA and was extremely, pleaseantly surprised when the friendly people at the phone shop advised that there was a CDMA model available which utilised the same in-car kit that I already had. It fits straight in. Great. They said to get the absolute best reception I should change the broomstick I had over to a proper CDMA unit. I haven't bothered doing that at all and still get great reception. A mate of mine here recently installed the exact same in-car kit, but used a windscreen mounted short whip aerial. Recently, while we were on a trip the other side of Burra (probably about 20klm from the nearest tower), we compared our "bars"....both the same (3 each).
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FollowupID: 332529

Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 16:43

Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 16:43
Sorry,
Should have added that once outside the truck with phone out of it's cradle there was no signal.
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FollowupID: 332532

Follow Up By: Utemad - Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 17:02

Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 17:02
From memory the big difference with digital and CDMA is (in regards to reception and antennas) is that with digital if you are any more than 32km(?) from the base station then you will get no signal. Even if you have line of site and the best antenna etc. This is due to the time lag between you and the base station. However with CDMA it operates more like a radio as in if you have a good antenna and get up on top of a hill etc then you have a good chance of getting a signal.

It also only takes a very small amount of signal for just a brief second to get a SMS sent. Handy in those fringe areas.

Utemad
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FollowupID: 332533

Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 20:03

Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 20:03
35 Km is the max GSM distance.
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FollowupID: 332561

Reply By: Utemad - Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 14:34

Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 14:34
I've got a Nokia 3200 (I think?) with a car kit with the inductive connection and a 'broomstick' antenna. My antenna is a 'Laserline' although I think GME make a digital one as well as probably a bunch of other manufacturers.

There is a big difference between being handheld outside the car and in the car kit for me.

Utemad
AnswerID: 72294

Reply By: ev700 - Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 20:05

Thursday, Aug 12, 2004 at 20:05
CDMAs - Any differences in reception between the units (actual phones)?

I'm thinking about $20 a month plan and a Nokia - don't use the mobile much myselff.
AnswerID: 72359

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