On Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:05:54 -0800, Bruce in alaska
wrote:

Issue One. Apple has already admitted that the Signal Level algorithm,
used in the IPhone4 was seriously flawed in how it displayed Signal
Level. (Bars) When the Phone displayed 4 or 5 Bars, it may actually only
be receiving at a 1-2 Bar Level. This they have corrected with a
Software Patch.

Hi Bruce,

Jim's second link (which I quoted in my response to him) gives very
specific signal levels. Aside from that, and as is obvious by the
numbers, the "bars" are merely window (with apologies to M$) dressing
in any phone (except as a RF exposure risk indicator).

Issue Two. The Multi-Band Antenna design in the iPhone4 is a Kludge
Compromise at best, and burying it in the Metal Frame where Left Hand
users put the flesh against it, seriously detunes it. Apple is in the
process of hiring a small group of Engineers, with expertise in this
area.

A bumper would seem to mitigate the risk. Conformal coating would to
some lesser extent. All-in-all, the amount of metal seems to be
consistent with best engineering practices (but, perhaps, not best
consumer packaging practices).

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC