Thread: External phone aerial

Originally Posted by JDNSW

CDMA is not analogue - it is just as digital as GSM, but as you state it has much longer range, and a car antenna really helps, where it does not help much for GSM - and i think your 20km is nearer than 60km!

The "new 3G" is actually a form of CDMA (not compatible with the current CDMA) and because it operates in the same band and is a similar system, should have much the same coverage, except it will have all the 3G bells and whistles including wide band.

Hi JDNSW,

The info I came across regarding WCDMA ie 3G etc is that it has effectively the same range as GSM, and it does'nt equate to the old CDMA range.

3 Com and Telstra have done a meal deal sharing their respective GSM and WCDMA network infrastructure, whilst Vodafone and Optus are teaming up to do likewise. Hence, why most 3 Coms are bouncing of Telstra GSM networks in regional areas. Telstra's market into WCDMA are bouncing of 3 Com.

Some phones, capable of offering both WCDMA and GSM capabilities does not help the traveller seeking the older CDMA distance coverage.

Bugga, they are turning us in for market share in the addon benefits of broadband services via mobile in lieu of a decent phone coverage across our vast continent.

mr_sav

Originally Posted by mr_sav

Hi JDNSW,

The info I came across regarding WCDMA ie 3G etc is that it has effectively the same range as GSM, and it does'nt equate to the old CDMA range.

3 Com and Telstra have done a meal deal sharing their respective GSM and WCDMA network infrastructure, whilst Vodafone and Optus are teaming up to do likewise. Hence, why most 3 Coms are bouncing of Telstra GSM networks in regional areas. Telstra's market into WCDMA are bouncing of 3 Com.

Some phones, capable of offering both WCDMA and GSM capabilities does not help the traveller seeking the older CDMA distance coverage.

Bugga, they are turning us in for market share in the addon benefits of broadband services via mobile in lieu of a decent phone coverage across our vast continent.

mr_sav

Part of the problem is that the term "3G" is used so loosely that it is useless. There are currently a number of services described as 3G and actually using WCDMA technology that do not operate in the same frequency band as Telstra's proposed new service. Currently there are no commercially available phones that operate in the new band, and there are only a few test installations operating intermittently, so it is impossible for anyone outside Telstra to know how well it works. For their part, as recently as last week Telstra have discounted claims that coverage will be less than CDMA and have said that they are still guaranteeing the same or greater coverage.

My concern is how much it will cost!
John

Originally Posted by Michael2

Anyway, my question is - how good are the big exteral aerials compared to the small stick on glass types?

.

I live at Mullion Creek (24km Nth of Orange) & on CDMA with no mobile service when in hand. Rangie has RFI 6.5db Bull Bar mounted aerial & phone in cradle I get two bars on my phone.

Defender has Laser 6db aerial bull bar mount and reception the same as the RFI aerial. Both aerials made in Australia.

I was thinking of chimney mounted aerial running of 12volt transformer for reception in house on CDMA, I guess it should work?

Originally Posted by RoverOne

I live at Mullion Creek (24km Nth of Orange) & on CDMA with no mobile service when in hand. Rangie has RFI 6.5db Bull Bar mounted aerial & phone in cradle I get two bars on my phone.

Defender has Laser 6db aerial bull bar mount and reception the same as the RFI aerial. Both aerials made in Australia.

I was thinking of chimney mounted aerial running of 12volt transformer for reception in house on CDMA, I guess it should work?

Can't see why not.
John

Originally Posted by Redback

Just a comment from the installer of our CDMA incar kit when i asked about an external antenna for it to improve the signal, he basicly said they are a waste of money, the anteena suplied with the kit is the best signal you'll get, he also said i'll sell you one if you want, it means more money for me, but i'm telling you, you'll be wasting $100.

I took his advice, i'm glad i did cause i found out later he was correct, i tested ours against a mate with an external antenna, made no differance, infact his in some places had less signal

Baz.

I find this very hard to believe. in fact it is rubbish. I have been using CDMA since the closure of the analogue system. I have a full car kit and an external antenna. The external antenna makes a huge difference to the signal strength and I have proved it many times experimenting with different antennas and without an antenna. If you are driving in the country and use CDMA then I suggets you buy a decent name brand external antenna (not on glass). I use a Mobile One version but there are others that perform as well.

Ian

I work in central queensland where cdma is the best and work have given me a GSM phone , I am not sure of the strength but I have a big black external aerial attached to the bullbar and without it I may aswell chuck my phone in the bin. Out of all the vehicles in the company my aerial is the biggest and I get the best range.