Reader Comments (rss)

(Flattened / Threaded)

1.  

   not really that new or exciting...

   

   Mike, Mar 8th, 2002 @ 2:26pm

   
   

   come on. conductive plastic blends have been around for decades. this is not that new. I have never understood why cell phone makers made extendable antennae in the first place... has anyone ever gotten better reception by extending their cell phone antenna? I haven't.

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

2.  

   Extending antenna for better reception

   

   Mick, Mar 8th, 2002 @ 3:53pm

   
   

   I have seen it on my cell phone's signal strength indicator. The signal may or may not jump up a few lines on the "meter" if I extend the antenna.
   
   There has been discussion about R/F hazard from cell phone antenna. I wonder if making the case the antenna would be a problem in this regard seeing as how it would be closer to the user's body.

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

3.  

   Extending antenna

   

   Phillip, Mar 8th, 2002 @ 5:52pm

   
   

   Simply extending an antenna won't do any good. The optimum antenna length is determined by the frequency it receives, and ideal reception is achieved by a multiple of this optimal length. The reason for the antenna on the mobile phone is as much fashion as anything else. Remember when the health scare arose? The signal strength for an electromagnetic emission drops exponentially in proportion to its distance (inverse square law) and mobile phone makes could have eliminated any potential risks of microwaving the brain by putting the antenna on the bottom of the handset instead of the top. Did they? Of course not, it doesn't look as good. Same goes with integrating the antenna into the body, it won't happen until the public perceive antenna-less phones as trendy.
   
   Phillip.

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

4.  

   Re: Extending antenna

   

   Mike (profile), Mar 8th, 2002 @ 6:44pm

   
   

   Hmm. But the little popular Nokias which are very trendy these days don't have an antenna and that's always been one of the "features".

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

5.  

   Re: Extending antenna for better reception

   

   msykes, Mar 8th, 2002 @ 6:47pm

   
   

   Heck, the signal on my phone jumps a few bars if I hold it sideways! mhh5's all-knowingness aside, better antennas has to be a good thing, though I also have somewhat vague concerns about long term radiation effects.
   
   The antenna is the one thing I dislike about the StarTac, they really need to do away with it. Or at least make a stronger, non retractable version.
   
   msykes

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

6.  

   Little Nokia

   

   Phillip, Mar 10th, 2002 @ 8:00pm

   
   

   The 8210 has an internal antenna, but it suffers from comparitively poor reception. Comparing reception is a bit of a mobile phone sport, hence it lost trendy points on that. Lack of antenna received a mixed reception (sorry) amongst my friends. I almost bought the small Nokia but was put off by the alleged poor reception.
   
   Phillip.

   [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

Add Your Comment