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Topic: Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
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Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Yahoo Message Number: 48094
My knowledge of electronics approaches  zero. With that said, here's the question.
I have a Wilson cell phone antenna mounted on the roof. Could that antenna also serve as an external GPS antenna with the proper fittings?

Thank you: Ed
Re: Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48096
"I have a Wilson cell phone antenna mounted on the roof. Could that antenna also serve as an external GPS antenna with the proper fittings?"
 'Fraid not. GPS operates on different frequencies from cellular phones, and thus requires a physically different antenna. Unlike the "whip" antenna used for cell phones, an external GPS antenna is typically a small black lump, about 2" x 2" x 0.5" thick.

Andy Baird
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48100
On Mon, 2004-12-20 at 21:12 +0000, Ed & Carol wrote:

Quote
...
I have a Wilson cell phone antenna mounted on the roof. Could that antenna also serve as an external GPS antenna with the proper fittings?
As Andy said, different frequencies, but also expect different wave pattern.  Cell towers are expected near the horizon while GPS satellites are from above.

Here is a link for a dual use antenna system:
 http://www.wi-sys.com/products/antennas/WS3942.php

If you look at it, you will note that it is really two antennas, one for each purpose.  Also, the GPS signal is amplified considerably while the cell phone signal is barely amplified if at all.

Alex Rutchka '05MB Gonnabee
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48109
Quote
On Mon, 2004-12-20 at 21:12 +0000, Ed & Carol wrote:
Thank both of you.
I mostly knew the answer to my question had to be "no"; a "yes" would have made for too great of a utilization of present resources.

Thank you: Ed

The dual use antenna is a very interesting possibility. I'm currently looking at new cell phones & verizon. Cell phones that work with Verizon and with a provision for an external antenna are very rare it would seem. If I find one that meets my major requirments, I'll look of the dual use antenna.
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48115
Quote
  On Mon, 2004-12-20 at 21:12 +0000, Ed & Carol wrote:

Thank both of you.
I mostly knew the answer to my question had to be "no"; a "yes" would have made for too great of a utilization of present
resources.

Quote
Thank you: Ed

The dual use antenna is a very interesting possibility. I'm currently looking at new cell phones & verizon. Cell phones that work with Verizon and with a provision for an external antenna are very rare it would seem. If I find one that meets my major requirments, I'll look of the dual use antenna.
Wilson Electronics (www.wilsonelectronics.com) makes a cellular wireless amplifer that connects to an external antenna on one side, and then to an internal antenna mounted within the coach. The amplifer is a wireless repeater that does not require a direct connection with your phone. In fact, more than one cell phone from different service providers can use it simultaneously. Similar products are made for GPS receivers as well, but they, of course, do not require a transmit capability. I've never seen a single product that can service both cell phones and GPS receivers for the reasons stated earlier in this thread.
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48121
Ed,
 All the motorola phones that I have seen have a port for an external antenna.  They don't advertise it and they sometimes don't even admit it, they call them 'test ports' or something like that.  It is usually a small, round rubber plug on the back or the top and when you pry off the plug... it's an antenna port.  It's tough to find out about antenna ports on most phones, it just isn't usually listed.  I called Motorola about the last phone I wanted, Moto V710, and finally got them to admit it did have one.
 I've gotten all my cell antenna stuff from Alf Electronics, they are fast, pretty cheap and give good free advice. Check here on their web site for an adaptor for any phone you are considering, if there is an adaptor listed then it has a port.  That said, some phones use an adaptor from an earlier phone and aren't listed so it pays to call them up and ask about whatever phone you are interested in.
 http://www.alfenterprises.com/cell_phone/antenna_adapters.htm

Jonna
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48129
I'll take a close look at Motorola. The Internetbycellphone group doesn't hold out much hope for finding a Tri-mode, internet ready, Verizon compatable cell phone with provisions for a plug in external antenna but I'm still looking.
If all else fails, I'll take a serious look at the repeater option.

Thank you so much.
Ed
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48135
The Internetbycellphone group
 
Quote
doesn't hold out much hope for finding a Tri-mode, internet ready, Verizon compatable cell phone with provisions for a plug in external antenna but I'm still looking.

Thank you so much.
Ed
Ed, I may be wrong, but I think my Samsung 640 is Tri-mode, internet ready, has a MOK that allows me to use it as my internet connection and has an antenna plug just above the volume control. Being able to hear people clearly is an entirely other issue however. Mary
Re: Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48140
"I'll take a close look at Motorola. The Internetbycellphone group doesn't hold out much hope for finding a Tri-mode, internet ready, Verizon compatable cell phone with provisions for a plug in external antenna but I'm still looking."
 Motorola's compact T730 meets all your requirements, and works fine as an internet link on a Verizon account for me and several other RVers I know. As was mentioned here recently, the external antenna jack on Moto phones is not labeled as such, but if you pull out the small gray rubber plug on the phone's back right next to the built-in antenna, the connector is there. Mates with the Wilson trucker roof antenna--you just need the right connector cable.
 I'm very happy with the T730, which replaced my old dual-mode StarTAC...and I've gotten connection speeds of up to 144,000 bps (indicated) in urban areas.

Andy Baird
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48141
The Internetbycellphone group doesn't hold out much hope for finding a Tri-mode, internet ready, Verizon compatable cell phone with provisions for a plug in external antenna but I'm still looking.


 Ed, we have 2 such phones from Verizon.  I have an LG VX4400 phone and Earl has a Samsung SCH-a650 phone.  I don't think the LG VX4400 is available any longer from Verizon, but the Samsung should be as we only got it a month or so ago.  Both of these phones are tri-mode, both have Mobile Office cables available, and both have a Wilson antenna adapter available for them.

Linda & Earl 2004 23.5'  Red TK From Quartzsite, AZ
Linda Hylton
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48148
Quote
The Internetbycellphone group doesn't hold out much hope for finding a Tri-mode, internet ready, Verizon compatable cell phone with provisions for a plug in external antenna but I'm still looking.


Thanks one & all. Seems the InternetByCellphone group has limited
knowledge about InternetByCellphone. Should have simply asked the question here but since the cell phone issue is totally off-topic I didn't want to do that. Glad I sort of snuck the question in as a by- the-way.
Thanks for the super info.

I'll check out  the recommended phones.

For what it's worth, my research into Verizon/internet access has been frustrating.  The level on incompetance I have found in the local Verizon store employees has amazed me. I went to the official Verizon store and was told they had no way to access the internet via a cell phone; only by a aircard. The person at the local Radio Shack store just said "Huh?" when I said wireless internet. That's Ok. Went to Staples the other day to get a wi-fi detector. They have a nice selection of computer stuff and the store is nearby. Asked the help where they kept the wi-fi detectors. She said "What's wi- fi?", I said, "Thank you, I'll go to CompUsa". Oh well, when I go shopping I generally go with low expectations.  That way I'm rarely disapointed.
My rant for the week.
Heading to see the kids in VA for the holidays. Flying. Talk about bringing my "low expectations" with me. I'll need them to fly & arrive reasonably happy.

Have a nice holiday.
Ed
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48179
Our Samsung A310 meets these requirements but I doubt its still available.  Jack
 
Re: Cell phone/Garmin GPS antenna
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 48182
My V710 by moto also does all the stuff you mentioned.  I use the fast 1X network for data when I'm in the US, my Wilson trucker antenna plugs right into it, and the most important thing to me is that it has Bluetooth so I don't need a cable between it and the computer to get online.  It also has a camera and some other bling that can be fun.
Right now, I'm really enjoying it because I switched to Verizon's North America plan when we crossed the border and I've had good digital service in Mexico for the last month.
 Jonna, in San Miguel de Allende where it is even chillier than it was in Guadalajara.  It's beautiful in the day though and there are several Escapees here so we are all having Christmas dinner together.
Love this life.