Cell phones

[~melia~]

Has anyone ever used one of those internal antennas that you stick inside your cell phone?

http://store5.yimg.com/I/cell-accessories_1641_8539097 <--------


I've seen them on tv, and at the cellular store. Its supposed to improve your reception. Does it work well? My phone sucks and I wanna know if its worth trying.

 

[lickerish]

Melia,

Who is your carrier? or rather, are they digital or analog?

I'd say yes, for the most part, they make some improvement.

 

[~melia~]

I use Cingular wireless (digital)...used to be bellsouth. I have a Nokia because the one they gave me couldnt even get reception outside. I got the phone to call home (out of state) cuz its cheaper, but i cant use it inside...and its a pain in the butt to go outside every time i need to use the phone.

 

[lickerish]

I can't speak on behalf of Cingular, as they're the competition, but..

No digital carrier can guarantee coverage 100% of the time.. inside or outside. Your contract should state that.

It really depends on how many towers are in your area and how close in proximity you are to it/them.

I have a Nokia myself, and love it to death.. but I am in a good coverage area. As customer care, I talk to people all over the US, including Florida (thats where you are, right?) and people have different opinions, it just depends on the system you are running off of.

Is this a problem that has always existed, and does it follow you all over town (or even out of town).. if so, it is probably the phone itself.

If it has just started happening, I'd think it would be safe to say that it is a tower.. and Cingular customer care should be able to tell you if there is one down in your area.

Are other people able to use their Cingular phones in your home?

To answer the original question.. the external antenna may help some.. but it may void the warrenty on the phone.

 

[~melia~]

It gets excellent reception most of the time, but inside, it only gets one bar. It even works well in other areas of my city...restaurants, the mall, etc....dont know what it is about my house.

 

[Weird Harold]

It even works well in other areas of my city...restaurants, the mall, etc....dont know what it is about my house.

How new is your house? Some newer houses have aluminized solid foam insulation, which could block most RF signals.

If your phone works fine everywhere except inside your house, then I wouldn't waste the money on the antenna. I would check the documentation on your phone and see if you can attach an external antenna to it. If you can, then putting up an outside antenna with a cable to whereever you use the phone the most will do more to solve your problem than the internal one would.

 

[lickerish]

my edjamacated guess is.. your house is probably just a tad bit too far from a tower to get a clear signal.Could be distance.. or trees/ hilly area/ buildings blocking the signal.

If you have any friends/ family that has Cingular.. (i'm presuming you guys use those SIM chips in the back of the phone) pop that chip into their phone and try and use it in the house.. if they're phone works w/ your chip, it's your phone thats bad. If it doesn't work, it's the service that's bad, and unfortunately you may be SOL.

If you're locked into contract, I'd attempt the external antenna.. otherwise, if it bothers you enough, look for a new carrier that has better coverage. Most carriers offer like 72 hours to try out their phone/service and if you don't like it, you can break contract w/o a penalty fee.

 

[~melia~]

I live in a townhouse complex, I think that might have something to do with my problem.

I want to get Sprint, but they dont have any towers at home.

 

[lickerish]

Where will you use the phone most often?

I've heard Sprint is good in certain parts of the country.

 

[~melia~]

Usually, I use it in my car, or in the house. Its mainly to call home (in alabama). If I had Sprint, I couldnt call my house here because there are no towers close enough.

 

[lickerish]

you have a PM

 

[LadyDarkFire]

I got one since I live in the foothills of a mountain and they do work well, I got mind at a store, and it has not failed to do what it promised. However, my friend bought one from a television promotion, and that one did about as much as tinfoil would have. Generally (I am quoting some info the person where I bought my ia) office buildings are the worst for reception because of computers, mainly metal construction, and elevators. As for externals v internals, he said that they really do about the same amount of good. What the internal does is uses conductors in certain patterns to add extra reception, so, if you have one pattern that does not work, and your friend has a pattern that does work, that is why. Plus, since you said you use it in the car, it will help when you are driving and you go through that dead zone in between towers.

 

[~melia~]

Thank for the suggestions everybody.