vB Easy Archive - Want to get external antenna for 4500/5500

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Want to get external antenna for 4500/5500 - type of RF connector?
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Posted by: Aviator

I'm planning on doing some storm chasing out in Kansas and Oklahoma in a month or so, and I noticed that PCS coverage in both states is pretty terrible outside of the large cities and off the main interstates. Kansas seems to have no coverage in the western part of the state at all! So, I've been looking at getting a mag-mount external antenna for my car so that I can get the best range possible, in case i need to make an emergency call while out in the middle of nowhere. I realize that there will probably be analog coverage almost everywhere, but I'd obviously prefer to use PCS as much as possible.

I've found several websites that sell external antennas for the car, but I'm unsure about the type of antenna connector on the phone. I've looked at it, and it seems to be the same tiny connector that I've seen on every Sanyo phone I have. It looks EXACTLY the same as the connector on my old 4900. I've been unable to find a connector cable out there for the 4500/5500 yet, but there are connectors for other Sanyo phones, such as the 4900. So if I buy the connector designed for the 4900, will it work on my 5500? Again, they look absolutely identical to the eye. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks!

Judson

Posted by: sheureka

Quote:

Originally posted by Aviator
I've found several websites that sell external antennas for the car, but I'm unsure about the type of antenna connector on the phone. I've looked at it, and it seems to be the same tiny connector that I've seen on every Sanyo phone I have. It looks EXACTLY the same as the connector on my old 4900.

The connectors are all different, and they really don't work if you try to modify them. Wilson Electronics is telling me they should have them in a couple of weeks. I've been bugging them about it since January. - sheureka

Posted by: Xavior

My girlfriend has the Sanyo 4900 and just purchased an mag-connect antenna for the phone. The antenna needed a small adapter that converted the coax cable connector to the data port on the phone.

It was a bit difficult to get it to fit, but the instructions stated to "press firmly" in order to get the plug to fit. It snapped into place and seemed to be doing well, her signal indicator moved up to four bars from two and everything seemed to be fine.. we went to bed and then the next day.. she removed the antenna from the phone and now all of her calls go to voicemail. She isn't getting reception in any of the places she would normally be able to make and receive calls. I sent her to Customer Service.. they told her there have been no network outages. She still gets mail indicator but very few of her outgoing/incoming calls make it through.

Anyone have any idea what's going on with this? I thought that maybe something snapped off when she unplugged the external, but she says nothing is rattling around in the phone.

Any help would be appreciated.. thanks.

edit: BTW.. she just did a software upgrade about 2 months ago.