Mobile Phone ext Aerials

[10G]

Not sure if this is the correct forum, but ....

Wondering if anyone uses a cradle and an external aerial for their mobile phone? I'm heading away, but of course I'll still need phone coverage and was thinking of getting an external aerial.

Just wondering if they're worth getting?

Thanks.

[BigRAWesty]

Yea and no..
The biggest problem these days is the phones are usually only good for a couple of years..
Program updates, data capacity and general technology advances sees us changing phones so much more than 10 years ago..
Back when the good old 3210 lasted 10 years a car kit was a good investment.
But the 3210 kit fit anything from a 5110 threw to phones past the 3210 (3380 maybe.. to long ago lol)

Now days phones change so much between models so unless you have maybe a dedicated car phone the cradle my be useless in a few years time.. and they are quite a fair outlay for only a few years..

[taslucas]

That's only if the phone plugs into the cradle.
Some older phones had an external aerial plug but very few new ones do.
You can buy what is called an inductive cradle for phones without plugs. These work by putting the phone end of the antenna in very close proximity to the phones internal aerial. You can universal cradles that will suit many phones and therefore not need to replace when getting a new phone.



>>>tappin from tassie

[taslucas]

Ahh.. This explains it...
http://www.comnet.com.au/epages/shop.mobile/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/comnet/Categories/Antennas/Selecting_an_antenna&Locale=en_AU

>>>tappin from tassie

[10G]

You can buy phone specific cradles that clip into stands, then you just replace the cradle not the stand, aerial etc.

[the evil twin]

Are external antennae worth it?... depends.

You will usually get the best bang for your buck range wise by choosing a phone that has good reception off the shelf
Some are really shithouse
Induction cradles are lossy so the external antenna makes up for the losses of the cradle and then a tad more.

I use a ZTE Phone which has an external antenna socket for my truck.
I also use a selection of mobile antennas at work to backhaul data and in a practical sense they are more beneficial in preventing drop out at marginal signal strengths/range

Vehicle wise...
I had a GME AT6DB and that used to give me up to an extra 5 K's or so, maybe a bar or two of signal.
https://www.gme.net.au/catalogue/antennas/amfm-and-mobile-phone/at6db.aspx
I gave it the flick and use a ZGC wire whip which is as good or better
http://zcg.com.au/d/GID-M90T-NextG-SS/

[4bye4]

I have one in my patrol and it seems to extend the distance I can continue to make/recieve calls. I have the inductive type, initially for Iphone4 and then changed the cradle for iPhone6. The iPhone6 did work on the Iphone4 cradle but getting the correct cradle does make a big difference. When you upgrade the new cradle costs less than $20.00. The manufacturer of the system I have also has cradle for other brands of phones. Watch the shopassistants though, the girl behind the counter when I upgraded tried to sell me a new holder for $180.00. I had done the homework when I bought the original setup and knew more about it than she did though. I had already looked the part number up and knew what I needed.

[taslucas]

You can buy phone specific cradles that clip into stands, then you just replace the cradle not the stand, aerial etc.
Are you talking about induction cradles or plug in cradles?
Either way, you can get an aerial with a plug into the cradle so you can swap cradles without chucking the aerial.

>>>tappin from tassie

[Cuppa]

I specifically chose my 'blue tick' phone (ZTE -'Telstra Dave') because it has an external antenna socket but to date haven't needed to use it in rural Vic. When we were travelling around the country we had a small whip antenna (only about 8" high) on a magnetic base. Connecting this to the phone & putting it onto the roof of the vehicle (through a hatch) often made the difference between having a useable signal or not. I would expect that the antennae ET has linked to would be better. Stuck on a broomstick or similar to get it up higher would also improve range. I recall being camped at Yardie Creek Gorge (Cape Range NP/Ningaloo) where no one could get a signal except for one chap who had his antenna up above his truck on an extendable painters pole.

[the evil twin]

What Cuppa said ^^^^

The little ZTE's may not be a flash phone but they get the best range I have observed

[Winnie]

I prefer not to have mobile reception. :)

[taslucas]

You're that tough winnie!



>>>tappin from tassie

[Touses]

I prefer not to have mobile reception. :)

I'll bet winnies missus does. No contest, you lose!

[the evil twin]

I prefer not to have mobile reception. :)

Hehehe... totally agree.
I discovered that Mobile or Satellite reception can also be determined by whether the applicable phone is switched off or not.
Outgoing calls only for the win ;)

[Winnie]

I'll bet winnies missus does. No contest, you lose!

One should never assume, as it makes an ass out of u and me.

[LostBenji]

Not sure if this is the correct forum, but ....

Wondering if anyone uses a cradle and an external aerial for their mobile phone? I'm heading away, but of course I'll still need phone coverage and was thinking of getting an external aerial.

Just wondering if they're worth getting?

Correct forum is here: http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/forumdisplay.php?96-Navigation-and-Communication
Bllody thing is buried and noone finds it. Even I have to search to find the thing.... Waiting for mods/admins to move it.................................:sterb003:

Thanks.


I specifically chose my 'blue tick' phone (ZTE -'Telstra Dave') because it has an external antenna socket but to date haven't needed to use it in rural Vic.

On a side note, Telstra's Blue-Tick has been a whopping joke in the industry since they released it. There are plenty of non-ticked phones that outperform with ease. Even iPhones....



On the subject of induction coils/cradles, most will only see a dB or two of loss and can perform very well. Where they fail in cradles, especially universal ones if no two phone designs put the bloody antennas in the same place. A lot used to be near the top and side edge of the phone but then you Samsungs that have them all over the shop. Mine (Note4) is at the bottom edge (the area used to hold the flippin thing) and makes a pain to use in cradles. Google your phone and look for images of the antenna location before choosing a cradle. If not sure, then ask and I can chase it up (time permitting).

On antennas, the best brand out there is RFI, they have been for decades and ship to the world. Some models below:

http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/mobile-products/cellular-mobile/cellular-ground-independent.html#.V1nWV_l96rw

3G 850-950 & 4G 1700-2100

CD2195 Old now but still good performers
CDQ2195 Quick-removal/replacement version of the CD2195
CD2199 Huge sucker for remote work
CDQ2199 Quick-removal/replacement version of the CD2199



4G 700 (Band 28), 3G 850-950 & 4G 1800

CD7195 New band 28 capable version of the 2195 series
CDQ7195 Quick-removal/replacement version of the CD7195


The CDQ versions have much thicker radomes and can take a beating compared to the older CD range.

If you are like me and like some symmetry on the front bar, then the CDQ5000 or CDQ8000 UHF CB antennas are a good performer too.
http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/mobile-products/citizens-band-mobile/q-fit-cdq5000-uhf-cb-antenna-477-mhz-black-chrome.html#.V1nYv_l96rw
http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/mobile-products/citizens-band-mobile/q-fit-cdq8000-uhf-cb-antenna-477-mhz-black-chrome.html#.V1nY6Pl96rw

So back to cradles, new options coming to finally be rid of the maggots:
http://www.cel-fi.com.au/cel_fi_go_repeater.html

[Wizard52]

I have been surprised on how good the Telstra coverage 3G and 4G has been on my trip across the middle and now up to Broome area.
I only have an old Samsung J1 but the number of times I have had a signal in remote areas has been very surprising.

[DX grunt]

I use the Telstra Tough 2 or Tough 3 - can't recall.

It doesn't have a cradle, but the external aerial plugs into the back of the mobile phone, with an adapter thingie.

I've used the external aerial in places that don't have range without it.

Rossco

[10G]

On a side note, Telstra's Blue-Tick has been a whopping joke in the industry since they released it. There are plenty of non-ticked phones that outperform with ease. Even iPhones....



On the subject of induction coils/cradles, most will only see a dB or two of loss and can perform very well. Where they fail in cradles, especially universal ones if no two phone designs put the bloody antennas in the same place. A lot used to be near the top and side edge of the phone but then you Samsungs that have them all over the shop. Mine (Note4) is at the bottom edge (the area used to hold the flippin thing) and makes a pain to use in cradles. Google your phone and look for images of the antenna location before choosing a cradle. If not sure, then ask and I can chase it up (time permitting).

On antennas, the best brand out there is RFI, they have been for decades and ship to the world. Some models below:

http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/mobile-products/cellular-mobile/cellular-ground-independent.html#.V1nWV_l96rw

3G 850-950 & 4G 1700-2100

CD2195 Old now but still good performers
CDQ2195 Quick-removal/replacement version of the CD2195
CD2199 Huge sucker for remote work
CDQ2199 Quick-removal/replacement version of the CD2199



4G 700 (Band 28), 3G 850-950 & 4G 1800

CD7195 New band 28 capable version of the 2195 series
CDQ7195 Quick-removal/replacement version of the CD7195


The CDQ versions have much thicker radomes and can take a beating compared to the older CD range.

If you are like me and like some symmetry on the front bar, then the CDQ5000 or CDQ8000 UHF CB antennas are a good performer too.
http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/mobile-products/citizens-band-mobile/q-fit-cdq5000-uhf-cb-antenna-477-mhz-black-chrome.html#.V1nYv_l96rw
http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/mobile-products/citizens-band-mobile/q-fit-cdq8000-uhf-cb-antenna-477-mhz-black-chrome.html#.V1nY6Pl96rw

So back to cradles, new options coming to finally be rid of the maggots:
http://www.cel-fi.com.au/cel_fi_go_repeater.html

Thanks for the useful info LostBenji. I have Galaxy S6 Edge and from what I know it has pretty good reception. I'll check out those antennas, I also need a UHF antenna as well.

[10G]

Where have you guys fed the antenna cable into the cabin? Is there an easy hole in the firewall??

[threedogs]

Where have you guys fed the antenna cable into the cabin? Is there an easy hole in the firewall??

There is a largish rubber grommet on the firewall on both sides, one down behind the Aux battery the other in front of driver.
Straighten out a coat hanger or use a piece of welding wire as a snake. Its easy to access and see imo lol

[10G]

Thanks threedogs