How to Improve Signal Strength?

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Jay Chan - 23 Oct 2003 17:00 GMT

I have a Cingular PCS phone from Motorola (I believe it is GSM because
it has a chip inside). I want to find a way to improve its signal
strength.

I can only get minimum signal in where I work (one bar). I must stand
near a window in order to get better signal. I cannot get any signal
at all when I am at home. I must stand in my front yard in order to
get a minimum signal strength (one bar). I seem to get good signal
almost every where else -- just not the places where I spend most of
my time.

I am wondering whether there is any simple way to improve signal
strength without changing the service provider.

The short antenna in the phone can be removed. I am wondering whether
I can replace it with something better. Will doing this help?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan

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Elmo P. Shagnasty - 23 Oct 2003 20:21 GMT

> I am wondering whether there is any simple way to improve signal
> strength without changing the service provider.

Tell Cingular. My boss signed up a few weeks ago (OK, this was through
a corporate rep, not a retail store) and couldn't get service in his
house (a VERY nice area of town). He complained, and the Cingular rep
gave him another version of the same phone--said they had just come out
with it (it was the beginning of the month) and the software was
different or something. It fixed all his problems.

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XFF - 24 Oct 2003 20:57 GMT

> I am wondering whether there is any simple way to improve signal
> strength without changing the service provider.

A good external antenna should help you out. Check
http://www.alternativewireless.com or any of the other sites carrying
external antennas.

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Jay Chan - 03 Nov 2003 02:18 GMT

> A good external antenna should help you out. Check
> http://www.alternativewireless.com or any of the other
> sites carrying external antennas.

Permanent or semi-permanent fixture such as an external antenna is not
appropriate in where I work. And it will only have limited use in
where I live (calling other people). I doubt I will use an external
antenna in my situation. I am expecting something like an antenna that
I can use to replace the built-in antenna in my phone; seem like this
may not be a viable option. Oh well... Thanks for the info anyway.

Jay Chan

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Robert - 25 Oct 2003 15:57 GMT

You can add an external antenna to increase your signal.
You would want a 3db gain antenna, with a mast at least 12" tall. Most
generic antenna manufactures give false statements about the gain of the
antenna, so get one that you can go to their web site and see actual
specifications.
You would want to purchase a quality brand, Wilson Electronics, Antenna
Specialists, Radiall/Larsen, Andrew, Hirschmann, Smarteq, Mobile Mark,
Maxrad are the top eight in the world.

Wilson Electronics currently has the best magnetic mount antenna, the cable
is 10' and Antenna Specialists is 15' making them second.

Antenna Specialists has the best results with on-glass mount antennas and
permenent roof mount antennas

Wilson Electronics is the best again with mirror mounts and no ground plane
permanent roof mounts for RV's and Semi Trucks.

You will need an RF coupler adapter cable to connect the external antenna to
the RF port on the phone (some phones do not have external antenna ports)
this cable is usually 18" long and has a connector to the external antenna
on one end and a phone specific connector on the other end so you buy this
item for the phone model you have.

Wilson Electronics www.wilsonelectronics.com
Antenna Specialists www.antenna.com
Radiall/Larsen www.radialllarsen.com
Andrew www.andrew.com
Hirschmann www.hirschmann-usa.com
Smarteq www.smarteq.com
Mobile Mark www.mobilemark.com
Maxrad www.maxrad.com

--------------------------------------

Canyon River Cellular Company
P.O. Box 801103
Dallas, Texas 75380-1103
(972) 618-2706
(972) 618-1747
www.canyonriver.com
sales@canyonriver.com

> I have a Cingular PCS phone from Motorola (I believe it is GSM because
> it has a chip inside). I want to find a way to improve its signal
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Jay Chan

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JRW - 26 Oct 2003 00:18 GMT

> I have a Cingular PCS phone from Motorola (I believe it is GSM because
> it has a chip inside). I want to find a way to improve its signal
> strength.

Spammer posted on the Sprint NG. I suggested a better URL than
what he was promoted.

Booster (the spammer) wrote:

> Are you tired of.........
> Having reception problems with you cell phone?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> If you answered YES, we have the solution for you!
> *www.TakeThePhoneOutOfYourAss.com*

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