Copper Talk » Open Forum » Archived Messages » 2002 » Archived Messages 02/01/2002 to 04/31/2002 » Mobile Cell phone antenna's « Previous Next »

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Chris Leggett
Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 10:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Do they really work? Iv'e seen them at truckstops for around $50.00.I do lots of mountain driving and have a lot of dropped calls due to the terrain.What do ya'll think?
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Tech181
Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 11:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Chris,

At that high of a frequency range (800-2000 Mhz), terrain will still play a major role in reception. A mobile antenna will help, as the frame and body of the vehicle you are in diminishes reception quite a bit for the handheld phones. Keep in mind that regardless of the antenna, line of sight orientation with the cell tower is the major factor.

Shop around. $50 seems way high for a cell antenna.

Steve
Tech181
Tech181@copperelectronics.com
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Bulletproof
Posted on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 8:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
The ONLY thing the Wilson "Trucker" (mirror mount-sold @Petro/Pilot etc) does is SLIGHTLY prevent dropped calls in fringe areas. I run the Arizona desert every week for PMT (car hauler). Had one of these since they came out. If you are in a "roam" or extended area they DO NOT improve range. If you are in a hilly area where you might normally drop a call you will not. The claims on the box do not live up to expectations.
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chris leggett
Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 12:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Thank for the info.I too drive a truck.I'm in So.Cal.I have lots of hills (Cajon,baker,mtm.pass)Where my phone just quits even if I have full signal.

I was with Cingular and was very displeased with there service ,coverage and the cost,seems every dropped call ran my bill way up.I switched to at&t,they have better coverage but even more dropped calls.

My truck has a nexttell phone that seems to work pretty well,I'm not sposed to make personal calls though.

I'm gonna get a Verizon and a sprint prepaid phones next and see if they are any better.Any other ideas?
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Chris Leggett
Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 1:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Oh, Hey Bullitproof! I just checked your profile.I'm in Apple Valley!I haul powder for Double Eagle.....Just had to throw that in.
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R Tillery
Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 9:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
In an emergency if you are out of range of cell phone coverage, is there a way to improvise a better antenna than the little one that comes with the cell phone? Maybe string up a wire or something like that. You know, do a McGuiver on it. I appreciate any info.