Connect External Aerial?

[stitch-up]

Hi guys

Is there anyway of attaching an external aerial to SGS2 to enhance reception of 3g signal - maybe a drop-in pod with attachment for an external aerial?

I own a motorhome and sometimes it's a struggle to pick up a WiFi hotspot signal, a better directional aerial would help.

Cheers

John

[greenman]

When you said 3G I thought you meant mobile data from your network. Wifi is different in that the signal travels from the centre, and to receive a signal you have to be within its sphere of transmission. So a directional aerial is not going to work if it was available.
The best you can do is to look at flashing alternative basebands/phone firmware to see if that helps. Alternatively park in a McDonalds car park.

[stitch-up]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I did mean enhancing the reception of my received 3G signal to I can maintain connection for data in those difficult areas

I use my SGS for tethering to my laptop so I guess the Hotspot I create would also be broadcast via any external aerial.

[greenman]

OK. As an ex motor home user my solution was to carry a few PAYG sim cards, as reception for any network was not always good. I would suggest having Vodafone, O2 and Orange/T Mobile to give you the best chance of reception anywhere. However, this is going to be costly to maintain data packages for each. My original suggestion of parking in a McDonalds car park was slightly tongue in cheek, but with the relative proliferation of free wifi it's not a bad one. O2 also offer free wifi at an increasing number of places including the high street of Kensington and Chelsea - this can only increase.

[stitch-up]

Thanks again for the reply, you understand my problem

I have a contract with Three that provides unlimited data and tethering is allowed This means that on those wet days when we're hudled in the van, we can use the Three network and connect a few devices (Ipad, notebook) etc. Sometimes the signal might be borderline and data throughput drops off. I'm sure if I could attach an external aerial, perhaps even a directional one, I could get a better signal.

I'm not sure if there's a drop in pod for the SGS 2 that will allow an external aerial to be connected - this would probably solve my problem somewhat.

John

[greenman]

There is no external socket for an aerial, so you want to stick to the 3 network, then you have two options to improve your signal.
1. A software solution as already mentioned. Flash another baseband and see if that improves hour signal strength. To be honest it's a bit hit and miss, but could work.
2. A repeater can obtain a stronger signal, but it's illegal to use in this country as far as I'm aware.
See here: http://mobilerepeater.co.uk/shop/home.php

[stitch-up]

Thanks for that.

I'm surprised the connector on the bottom of the radio doesn't provide a connection for an aerial. Never mind.

Cheers

John

[Stevexlv]

I have not yet purchased a Galaxy, and my decision will depend on whether or not I can connect an external aerial. I live in the bush and need extensive coverage not usually accessible by most mobiles. Telstra claim to have good coverage with their blue tick phones, but there is now only one "smart phone" with a blue tick AND an aerial jack. After paying Telstra about $200 for an aerial and then finding they are not really interested in looking after their regional customers, I am a bit disappointed that now they have discontinued most of their phones with an aerial jack. Does Samsung have a smart phone with aerial plug in or not? My current telstra T90 is getting very tired.