vB Easy Archive - External Antenna Question

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External Antenna Question
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Posted by: thedv8

Hi, I recently purchased a 10" 11db PCS/GSM planar antenna. I'm connecting it to a Motorola v.66. I plugged it all in and moved the antenna around to find optimal placement for mounting/angling, and I noticed that the reception was really bad (0-1 bars) when I unplug the external antena lead from the phone I get 2-3 bars. Why would the antenna decrease reception? Am I doing something wrong?

I didn't get a signal booster because I didn't think I needed it. I get 2-3 bars outside my apartment, but inside I only get 1-2. I was hoping by having an external antenna mounted outside my apartment I would be able to use the phone inside?

I'm guessing/hoping I'm just not doing something right? Thanks!

-Marc

Posted by: schark

hey,

if been thinking about doing the same thing with my v66, also with planar antenna. where did u get it? my main question is, how does the antenna plug into the phone? i've asked this question b4 but never got an answer.

sorry, couldnt tell u what u are doing wrong. experts?

Posted by: emag*rad

I'm on the next plane out to San Jose. thedv8, I'll need directions to your house. schark, I'll need you to cover for me while I'm gone. Got it? OK, let's move. Go, go, go!

Posted by: thedv8

I got the antenna from cellantenna.com They were pretty quick with the initial order but they forgot to include an adapter and the converter from the patch cable to the phone was defective. When I called them about it they took a really long time to send replacements, but I did eventually get them.

My setup is as follows:

10"x10" 11db panel antenna 1850-1990 Mhz
33' RG8X Ultra W TNC Male & Male MiniUHF termination
female/female miniUHF adapter
Motorola v.66 adapter

The adapter for the phone goes from MiniUHF to the plug for the v.66. It's really lame how the plug is held in to the phone. Since there are no theads or anything there's basically a plastic band that wraps around the plug that holds the plug in with friction. On my first adapter the plastic band was a little thicker on one side than the other and it got caught on the lip of the hole into the phone and the plastic piece tore off. Once this was gone there was nothing to hold the plug in place. Hopefully I can figure out why the antenna isn't working so I don't have to buy a signal booster!

-Marc

Posted by: schark

Quote:

Originally posted by emag*rad
I'm on the next plane out to San Jose. thedv8, I'll need directions to your house. schark, I'll need you to cover for me while I'm gone. Got it? OK, let's move. Go, go, go!

i've got your back emag*rad

hey, if you stop by his house u can come to my house for pizza afterwards. u bring the beer though *g*.

Posted by: emag*rad

Quote:

Originally posted by schark
i've got your back emag*rad
hey, if you stop by his house u can come to my house for pizza afterwards. u bring the beer though *g*.

Bass, Guiness or Foster's oil cans?

Posted by: schark

thats all the choices i have?
hmmm...foster's then plz

but going back to the antenna.
thedv8, where exactly does the adapter plug into?
i've seen several different ones online. one that plugs into the power connector (where u plug in the charger), one that connects to the accessory connector port and one thats a clip-op that just goes over the top of the phone, around the antenna.
what do u have?

are you sure you positioned the antenna corectly? make sure it is installed upright and not blocked by anything.
this might help u:
http://www.criterioncellular.com/ht...r-pointing.html

Posted by: thedv8

The antena connector is on the back at the top right below the antena (little black rubber plug that comes out). Hope that helps.

-Marc

Posted by: schark

ohhh...thx so much. i didnt even see that.

did you figure out whats going on with your setup?

Posted by: thedv8

Nope, no idea...

Posted by: schark

did you try grounding it, like they suggested in the t-mobile forum?

like i said, i was thinking about getting basically the same setup as you, so any input you can get me on this is much appreciated.