I just bought a Hunter 28.5 and took it out on the Chesapeake Bay yesterday. I had hoped to be able to use my cell phone, but most of the way, I was barely receiving any signal. I have seen antenna-boosting devices, but before trying those, I was wondering if there was an easy way to share my VHF antenna with the Cell Phone. Does anyone have any suggestions about that? Alternatively, I'd be interested in finding out how people increase their cell phone range when they're out on the water.
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Other cell providers
Evaluate the performance of other cell phone providers in your sailing area. I carry two cell phones when traveling in the US. Often, one will show a strong signal in an area where the other is unusable.
Evaluate the performance of other cell phone providers in your sailing area. I carry two cell phones when traveling in the US. Often, one will show a strong signal in an area where the other is unusable.
As a supplier to the communications industry
I can tell you that the VHF 150-160 Mhz) antenna is not tuned to the same 800-912 Mhz frequency as your cell phone. Also, as cell phones work via "cells" (overlapping areas of geography), it is obvious that there is just not any coverage in your dead areas, by your carrier (provider). Other than insisiting that your provider put up more towers (resulting in more coverage area and lots of $ to them), only a careful study of other provider's service areas and then changing providers, is the solution. If you get your carrier to put in more towers, my company would like to supply their contractor with products!!
I can tell you that the VHF 150-160 Mhz) antenna is not tuned to the same 800-912 Mhz frequency as your cell phone. Also, as cell phones work via "cells" (overlapping areas of geography), it is obvious that there is just not any coverage in your dead areas, by your carrier (provider). Other than insisiting that your provider put up more towers (resulting in more coverage area and lots of $ to them), only a careful study of other provider's service areas and then changing providers, is the solution. If you get your carrier to put in more towers, my company would like to supply their contractor with products!!
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