View Single Post
Posts: 840 | Thanked: 823 times | Joined on Nov 2009
#24
Originally Posted by Estel View Post
Hi, thanks for picking it up.

I would like to add external connector for antenna for exact same reasons, that old phone used with build-in external antenna corrector - gain in signal. Correct me if I'm wrong, but connecting antenna with parts being more time the half-wave length, and placed in more appropriate location - i.e. on roof of caravaning, instead of inside - would benefit in gaining signal strength?

This summer, while I was @ seaside using caravaning camp, I have 6% to 0% 3G signal strength inside - both using N900 and Huaweii E160 3G modem attached to notebook... But, E160 got micro-connector for external antenna, I was able to attach to it my dipol-random-wire ( ) FM antenna (from DVB-T/analog TV and radio hybrid dongle), and through window, place it on roof of caravaning. Resulting signal strength was 30-40%

To experiment even more, I connected it to dual-wideband antenna system, existing in campsite (for receiving digital TV, DVB-T - two big wideband antennas in opposite corners of campsite), and I got 80% signal strength.

So, basically, I would like being able to connect external antennas to my N900. As further project, I may design portable, pocket fractal antenna (I've designed one to get DVB-T in place where no other - even directional - antenna was able to even detect any station, so I think considering different wavelength, it's possible to create such thing for 2G/3G)...

I think even base design, involving just soldering connector to existing N900 internal antenna would work, but of course more "appropriate" approach (considering impedance of antenna?) suggestions are also welcomed.
I'm by no means an expert, just a physicist with an interest so you may be on to something but simply basing your antenna size on half the wavelength I suspect is not going to work too well because it's not that simple. if we are talking 3G then that's about 7 cm anyway so you won't gain all that much with large antennas you may actually lose signal quality due to increased interference. I would just be very wary of doing something like this based on trial and error without actually doing calculations to find out the exact antenna gain because these phone antennas are already designed for high efficiency because a mobile runs on the limited power supply of a battery.
 

The Following User Says Thank You to Cue For This Useful Post: