Well this does seem better so far, but could be better. I went to
Menards and went to the long metal pipe section and had full bars
there. Makes me just want to find a portable long antenna that is
colaspable since I can't drive around with a long metal pipe in
my car.

Ahhh, I can see this question is out of my league, I am a newbie--the
old-timers can probably put ya straight wink

Regards,
John

John Smith wrote:
"I can see this question is out of my league."

Or, out of his parallel universe.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI

I would like to build my own, I just need to figure out where to get
the parts from. Again I did not see any thing on that site so far.
The one I bought so far does not seem to make too big a dif so far.
And all the cust service responses from various cell phone antenna
sites say there is not much for 900,1000, 1100 mhz which is what the
specs say on the phone. And yes I am a layman for this but willing to
learn what I can if only for the knowledge.

Vile 5 wrote:
"And all the cust service responses from various cell phone antenna
sites say there is not much for 900, 1000, 1100 mhz which is what the
specs say on the phone."

That`s reasonable. Cell phones communicate with whichever base station
works best in a wide network. This is almost the ultimate space and
frequency diversity system. Antennas are low which limits range. No
problem as contact is lost it is immediately re-established
automatically with another station, the new best choice.

As azimuths between phones and bases are constantly changing,
concentrating phone energy at a articular azimuth does not make sense if
the phone is moving.

Efficiency makes sense. Concentrating energy along the horizontal makes
sense for most users.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI

"Richard Harrison" wrote in message
...
As azimuths between phones and bases are constantly changing,
concentrating phone energy at a articular azimuth does not make sense if
the phone is moving.

There's a lot of research going on for 'smart' antennas that effectively are
just electronically phased arrays that continuously re-tune themselves to
'lock on' to a base station. Neat idea, with the usual benefits of
potentially less power for a given range, better range for a given power,
etc., but I don't know whether or not any commercial phones employ the idea
yet.

Joel Kolestad wrote:
"There`s a lot of research going on for "smart" antennas that
effectively are just electronically enhanced arrays that continuously
retune themselves to "lock on" a base atation."

I became aware of that sort of adaptation by reading a notice from the
IEEE Houston Section of an appearance that Cecil`s old professor at
Arizona, Balinas (sp?) was going to make here to clue the locals in on
the latest developments in adaptive antennas. Unfortunately, I didn`t
go. I`ll have to learn elsewhere.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI

I wrote that Dr. Balanis presented recent developments in adaptive
antennas to the Houston Section of the IEEE. I apologize for misspelling
his name. I found the correct spelling in the index of the 3rd edition
of Kraus` "Antennas".

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI

The having no port is the main problem...That means you
have to use those coupler devices that fit behind the antenna
in the phone...Unfortunately, I just had to buy a new phone,
and my new one is the same way. No port...They make a sleeve
that fits over the top, and has a patch to couple to the internal
antenna, but I have to wonder how well it works...Some reports
seem lackluster...As far as antennas, I guess it depends on
what you want...A connection to a cheap UHF TV antenna
might work ok....But most long distance house cell antennas
are yagi's that I see sold. Anything commonly used for UHF,
could be adapted to cell phone...Often on those freq's, just
moving a few feet can make a big difference...So I'd try different
locations, and try to find "hot spots"...Thats about where I would
mount the antenna if it's not going to be real high...
I'd like to find the goofball that decided these phones don't
need an antenna port.... Whatta putz....Having an outside
antenna makes a huge difference out on the interstates... MK

This site has come up with this antenna to counter that no-port
problem. It does not require an antenna port:
http://www.cell-phone-accessories.com/moc6cephanbo.html

This means that it is good for any phone.