increasing mobile phone coverage

[Floyd2006]

Hi, Im looking for a product that can increase the coverage of my mobile phone, while Im in areas of poor coverage e.g on a boat or camping. I saw a product on ebay that attaches to the back of the phone,I cant seem to find it anymore. Does anyone know any gadget that can help me?


Floyd

[ShaneJ]

The best and most cost effective is to use a larger antenna with a patch lead. You can get power boosters which go between the phone and external antenna but they are not cheap.

[Hapuka]

The best and cheapest way to get reception out to sea is to buy a CDMA phone. Telstra have a CDMA phone for only $99 , this will give you the best coverage , I have one and it works 40 miles offshore they say they will work much further out but I have'nt been out any further than 40 miles to test it yet.

Rob

[steveg1100]

go to the site www.cellink.com.au

you want to buy an antenna patch cable and an external antenna this should increase your mobile coverage considerably.

Hope this helps you out.

Steve g

[fishn-ads]

That intresting CDMA do you need another account or can you use your existing. You should be able to pick up a 2nd hand pretty cheap.

[Floyd2006]

Thanks for that guys

Floyd

[trout3030]

Just be aware when buying CDMA that the CDMA network is going to be closed by Telstra at some time! They haven't given a date as yet but have said it can only be after January 28 2008. Can read about it here. http://www.telstrawholesale.com/news/newsletter.cfm#products4

[Floyd2006]

Hi, thanks for the responses.
I was able to find the product on ebay that I was looking for by
searching "mobile phone signal booster". The product claims to be compatible with all phones and boosts reception, its inexpensive about $7 for 5 of them.
Has anyone used an antenna signal booster from ebay before? I think they were sold on one of those morning shows like Burt or Kerri-Anne.
I'll give it a go and post some feedback on it.

Floyd

[klyons]

Floyd

You can't increase the range of a gsm phone beyond 35km. You can improve/get signal with in this distance with better antennas or car kits but you cannot get better than 35 km. Without hurting my head at this hour of the night it has to do with the way gsm phones work ie tdma (time division multiple access). I have a feeling in Aus the system cuts out arround 25km
Roughly,calls are allocated space on a frequency on a time basis. Radio waves take time to cover distance. Beyond 35km phone to tower and your time slot is missed. A search on google should reveal all.Try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDMA

CDMA on the other hand uses code division and as such if the phone has the power to reach the tower the call will continue.


Kev

[akman1]

just recieved a couple of boosters of ebay (generation4).tried 1 out on my cdma
phone and didnt do jack****.I do live in a fringe area.

[MulletMan]

Floyd, you aren't relying on the mobile instead of a good 27 MHz or VHF radio are you? :-/ :-/

[Floyd2006]

Hi PP, not relying solely upon my mobile, just really wanted to improve its coverage. When i go camping or on a boat my mates are geared up with some radio devices but the ones they have are not easily carried in my pocket. Thats why I was looking for something to increase my phones range especially when Im out chasing river bass or fishing off rocks. I always seemed to be out of range when my mrs calls... and thats not good.

Floyd