Mobile phone signal enhancement

Submitted: Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:20

ThreadID: 33327 Views:3705 Replies:5 FollowUps:6

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AdlelaideGeorge

It's a long shot but I wonder if any 'bush electronics' wizzes have developed a method of enhancing the signal for a Nokia 2112 CDMA 'phone in low signal situations?. The model doesn't have a port to connect any external aerial and the Nokia web site advises that:

the External antenna connection is not supported by current Nokia CDMA products.

Any ideas would be welcom - I'm not getting a sat 'phone!

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Reply By: Grumpy in WA - Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:47

Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:47

If you buy a car kit e.g. CK-7W and the connect to the car kit a cradle and antenna adapter i.e. Nokia Mobile Holder MBC-15S and an external antenna connector (AXF-15S). you can then connect the phone to an external high gain antenna, this will increase the range of your phone.

All items available from your local phone shop or cheaper on ebay. Check the nokia web site for more details. I have this set up with my Nokia CDMA (6225) phone and it also works for my GSM phone too as I bought a dual band high gain antenna that works for CDMA and GSM.

Hope this helps..

AnswerID: 169493

Follow Up By: Grumpy in WA - Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:48

Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:48

Forgot to say: you mobile phone is transformer coupled to the external antenna instead of a direct connection but it works just as well...

FollowupID: 424816

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:53

Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:53

George,

Despite what Nokia say, I have a Nokia 2112 CDMA mobile which is interchangeable with my 6610 GSM mobile. Both fit in the same car cradle (but not at the same time of course) and "connect" to an external CDMA aerial via an inductive antenna coupler which sits behind the cradle and picks up the internal aerial of the phone by its proximity. (magic)

This is the same solution as recommended by Nokia for the GSM mobile aerial connection and I can verify that the signal strength has a noticeable improvement when connected to the car's phone kit. It works.

I was put on to this solution by the guys at Electric Bug on Torrens Road.

Basically you buy a high gain CDMA antenna (Laser UC9SF-800-259) which comes with an aerial about 800 mm in length. I have my aerial mount on the roof gutter line. Now this aerial is a wee bit long for town use, so E.B. made up a small flexible jobbie about 5 inches long. This actually works in most locations I have been, but when out in the bush, I swap it over for the longer aerial.

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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AnswerID: 169494

Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:58

Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:58

P.S.
The CDMA antenna solution was much cheaper than a "dual band" antenna.
Again, according to the experts at Electric Bug the wave length of a GSM antenna is only slightly lower than the CDMA and therefore will not suffer too much loss. Certainly a lot less than my previous "through the glass" GSM Aerial.

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

Member
My Profile My Blog My Position Send Message

FollowupID: 424818

Follow Up By: joc45 - Saturday, Apr 29, 2006 at 11:09

Saturday, Apr 29, 2006 at 11:09

I bought a coupler for my 2112 on Ebay for about $15. Basically clips on the back of the phone, with a flying lead to your antenna cable. Sadly, it doesn't do anything, and I've wasted my money. Would recommend the proper Nokia unit.
Re antennas, if you find an old external antenna from the old analogue mobile days (hopefully free), this is in the same frequency band as CDMA and should work fine. Usually about 6db gain.
Cheers,
Gerry

FollowupID: 424988

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:54

Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 14:54

Search for a thread by Member Lucy

He bought something thats illegal in aus, but available in NZ ;) cheap and works.

AnswerID: 169495

Follow Up By: Member - Bradley- Sunday, Apr 30, 2006 at 11:08

Sunday, Apr 30, 2006 at 11:08

www.powertec.com.au/booster.php

The CB128-900/1800 Dual Band booster is ideal for marine, vehicle, office, or home use in areas where there may be a weak signal in the GSM and DCS cell networks on the 900 / 1800 Band. This may be a result of distance from the transmitter or the presence of obstructions between the transmitter and the receiving phone.

These Boosters will enable a signal up to 140 km from the nearest CDMA tower and 35kms from the nearest GSM-PCS (terrain and service dependant).

The Powertec CB-128-900/1800 Dual Band Booster provides 16 dB at 2 Watts. Each 3 db of gain is a doubling of signal strength.

It includes all connector leads and 12v power adapter. Optional 110-240v adapter is available and is compatible with most Genuine and Generic hands free car kits.

Simply connect one end directly into your phone via a patch lead or through a hands free kit and connect the other end to an antenna.

Model CB128-900/1800

Frequency Range (MHz)
Uplink
Downlink 890-915 / 1710-1755
935-960 / 1850-1850

Bandwidth (MHz) 20 / 60

Output Power (dBm)

Uplink/Downlink 33-0 / 30/0 (Typ.)
30-0 / 30/0 (Min.)

Min. Gain (dB)

Uplink/Downlink 15 / 15

Return Loss - 10dB

Power Consumption DC 12V / 2A

Connector SMA-Female

Weight 250g

Dimension (L x W x D) 100 x 75 x 25 mm

Yep, made in aus, buy from NZ website, use in aus at own risk. only because they haven't paid the govt huge money for approvals.

FollowupID: 425141

Follow Up By: AdlelaideGeorge - Sunday, Apr 30, 2006 at 15:18

Sunday, Apr 30, 2006 at 15:18

Thanks Bradley - I'll check this out at the Electric Bug in Adelaide

George

FollowupID: 425178

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Apr 30, 2006 at 22:34

Sunday, Apr 30, 2006 at 22:34

>>> Yep, made in aus, buy from NZ website, use in aus at own risk. only because they haven't paid the govt huge money for approvals.

Well put!

FollowupID: 425299

Reply By: AdlelaideGeorge - Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 15:12

Friday, Apr 28, 2006 at 15:12

Thanks to all that replied - I just knew 'the knowledge' would be here somewhere.......(-: I'm sure I'll be able to improve signal strength it by one method or another.

AnswerID: 169497