Need advice on GSM phone
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From: Massachusetts
C240 2002
Need advice on GSM phone
I have a Nokia 6310i (GSM) with the European PSE and all installed in my Mercedes. Reception is spotty, in part because I live in a rural town in Massachusetts near the Southern New Hampshire border. GSM towers aren't as abundant as they are in city areas.
Anyway, a salesperson at an AT&T retail store said, when I complained about the poor coverage, that it might have to do with the antenna on my car. He said it is necessary to have a GSM antenna to get proper reception.
Do any of you know if that is true, and if so, what are my options?
If one of them is to add a GSM antenna, can I replace the one on my rear window?
Thanks,
Dick Gleason
Anyway, a salesperson at an AT&T retail store said, when I complained about the poor coverage, that it might have to do with the antenna on my car. He said it is necessary to have a GSM antenna to get proper reception.
Do any of you know if that is true, and if so, what are my options?
If one of them is to add a GSM antenna, can I replace the one on my rear window?
Thanks,
Dick Gleason
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Which car and what year do you have?
Almost none of the cars use the antenna on the rear window for cellular.
If your car is new enough, the antenna is already set to use 1900MHz, but as I recall you did not use the compensator. This might help.
-s-
Almost none of the cars use the antenna on the rear window for cellular.
If your car is new enough, the antenna is already set to use 1900MHz, but as I recall you did not use the compensator. This might help.
-s-
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From: Massachusetts
C240 2002
Originally posted by scorchie
Which car and what year do you have?
Almost none of the cars use the antenna on the rear window for cellular.
If your car is new enough, the antenna is already set to use 1900MHz, but as I recall you did not use the compensator. This might help.
-s-
Which car and what year do you have?
Almost none of the cars use the antenna on the rear window for cellular.
If your car is new enough, the antenna is already set to use 1900MHz, but as I recall you did not use the compensator. This might help.
-s-
If I unplug the integrated phone from the cradle and plug it back in, it will change from NO SERVICE to having a signal. Either something isn't resetting or the antenna isn't working properly. I have a 2002 C240.
Where is the antenna for the cell phone located and does being "...already set to use 1900MHz... imply that a 1900MHz antenna for CDMA/TDMA should work for GSM as well?
Thanks,
Dick
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Originally posted by rgleason
I just added the compensator last week and it helps some. However, I have two Nokia phones, one with a cloned SIM (so they are both using the same account). Sometimes I'll have little or no signal on my integrated phone while I do have a good signal on the non-integrated 3390.
If I unplug the integrated phone from the cradle and plug it back in, it will change from NO SERVICE to having a signal. Either something isn't resetting or the antenna isn't working properly. I have a 2002 C240.
Where is the antenna for the cell phone located and does being "...already set to use 1900MHz... imply that a 1900MHz antenna for CDMA/TDMA should work for GSM as well?
I just added the compensator last week and it helps some. However, I have two Nokia phones, one with a cloned SIM (so they are both using the same account). Sometimes I'll have little or no signal on my integrated phone while I do have a good signal on the non-integrated 3390.
If I unplug the integrated phone from the cradle and plug it back in, it will change from NO SERVICE to having a signal. Either something isn't resetting or the antenna isn't working properly. I have a 2002 C240.
Where is the antenna for the cell phone located and does being "...already set to use 1900MHz... imply that a 1900MHz antenna for CDMA/TDMA should work for GSM as well?
I don't know where your antenna is... you didn't answer me as to which car you have and what year it is?
Mine is in my bumper.
Yes, antennas are tuned to frequencies. There's really no "GSM" antenna... from the EPC what I can tell is that there are antennas for different years because of the frequencies used with the phones for that year.
-s-
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1986 560SEL, 97 BMW 740iL
I have a Nokia 6340i on my 560SEL with the carkit installed. It works flawlessly here in IN. Even with my coupe anaolg Oki phone and the big antenna on the back, I would get lousy connection or no connection on some areas on I-65 in the middle of nowhere. But with the 6340i in the carkit, I could hear and talk clearly in the same areas where there's lousy or no services areas before.
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From: Massachusetts
C240 2002
Originally posted by scorchie
I've had the same experience as you have with phones. In a similar situation, if I have my 6590i in my pocket, and then take it out, it may have no signal and not regain it. If I power cycle the phone, it will have full strength signal. I think the programming in the Nokia phones has a tenacious lock on a tower no matter how weak the signal gets. It might not completely have to do with the car kit.
I don't know where your antenna is... you didn't answer me as to which car you have and what year it is?
Mine is in my bumper.
Yes, antennas are tuned to frequencies. There's really no "GSM" antenna... from the EPC what I can tell is that there are antennas for different years because of the frequencies used with the phones for that year.
-s-
I've had the same experience as you have with phones. In a similar situation, if I have my 6590i in my pocket, and then take it out, it may have no signal and not regain it. If I power cycle the phone, it will have full strength signal. I think the programming in the Nokia phones has a tenacious lock on a tower no matter how weak the signal gets. It might not completely have to do with the car kit.
I don't know where your antenna is... you didn't answer me as to which car you have and what year it is?
Mine is in my bumper.
Yes, antennas are tuned to frequencies. There's really no "GSM" antenna... from the EPC what I can tell is that there are antennas for different years because of the frequencies used with the phones for that year.
-s-
Thanks for answering.
Dick
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Originally posted by rgleason
I think I did answer you when I wrote, "...Either something isn't resetting or the antenna isn't working properly. I have a 2002 C240."
Thanks for answering.
Dick
I think I did answer you when I wrote, "...Either something isn't resetting or the antenna isn't working properly. I have a 2002 C240."
Thanks for answering.
Dick
Your antenna is already set up for dual band.
-s-
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Thread Starter
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From: Massachusetts
C240 2002
Originally posted by scorchie
You did answer. Sorry I missed it.
Your antenna is already set up for dual band.
-s-
You did answer. Sorry I missed it.
Your antenna is already set up for dual band.
-s-
Thanks,
Dick
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Originally posted by rgleason
Meaning that it doesn't matter if the protocol is TDMA, CDMA, or GSM? The antenna should work for either?
Thanks,
Dick
Meaning that it doesn't matter if the protocol is TDMA, CDMA, or GSM? The antenna should work for either?
Thanks,
Dick
-s-
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From: Massachusetts
C240 2002
Originally posted by dtkw
I have a Nokia 6340i on my 560SEL with the carkit installed. It works flawlessly here in IN. Even with my coupe anaolg Oki phone and the big antenna on the back, I would get lousy connection or no connection on some areas on I-65 in the middle of nowhere. But with the 6340i in the carkit, I could hear and talk clearly in the same areas where there's lousy or no services areas before.
I have a Nokia 6340i on my 560SEL with the carkit installed. It works flawlessly here in IN. Even with my coupe anaolg Oki phone and the big antenna on the back, I would get lousy connection or no connection on some areas on I-65 in the middle of nowhere. But with the 6340i in the carkit, I could hear and talk clearly in the same areas where there's lousy or no services areas before.
Thanks,
Dick
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1986 560SEL, 97 BMW 740iL
The Nokia 6340i I have is now used in the craddle by Nokia installed in the car. It mounted on the passenger side above the radio and a speaker is mounted next to it under the leg cover or whatever you call it. On the coupe, I will have to wait for Steve to come over and then put his kit in it with a new fiber optic head unit and cd changer.
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From: Massachusetts
C240 2002
Originally posted by dtkw
The Nokia 6340i I have is now used in the craddle by Nokia installed in the car. It mounted on the passenger side above the radio and a speaker is mounted next to it under the leg cover or whatever you call it. On the coupe, I will have to wait for Steve to come over and then put his kit in it with a new fiber optic head unit and cd changer.
The Nokia 6340i I have is now used in the craddle by Nokia installed in the car. It mounted on the passenger side above the radio and a speaker is mounted next to it under the leg cover or whatever you call it. On the coupe, I will have to wait for Steve to come over and then put his kit in it with a new fiber optic head unit and cd changer.
Thanks,
Dick
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1986 560SEL, 97 BMW 740iL
I have asked the Nokia support and they told me what works with 6310i would work with 6340i. Both phones are identical, one is just a little heavier but size and shape are the same. You cannot tell the different unless you see the model number.
Here are some of the differences:
6340i - GSM, TDMA and AMPS
6310i - GSM, GPRS, Java support and Bluetooth techology.
The phone kit I am getting from Steve does not require Bluetooth.
Here are some of the differences:
6340i - GSM, TDMA and AMPS
6310i - GSM, GPRS, Java support and Bluetooth techology.
The phone kit I am getting from Steve does not require Bluetooth.
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Dick, please let me know how you got a cloned SIM. I would like to do the same. I have T-mobile and have an extra unregistered sim lying around (but it has my current cell number programmed in it).
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From: Massachusetts
C240 2002
Originally posted by dtkw
I have asked the Nokia support and they told me what works with 6310i would work with 6340i. Both phones are identical, one is just a little heavier but size and shape are the same. You cannot tell the different unless you see the model number.
Here are some of the differences:
6340i - GSM, TDMA and AMPS
6310i - GSM, GPRS, Java support and Bluetooth techology.
The phone kit I am getting from Steve does not require Bluetooth.
I have asked the Nokia support and they told me what works with 6310i would work with 6340i. Both phones are identical, one is just a little heavier but size and shape are the same. You cannot tell the different unless you see the model number.
Here are some of the differences:
6340i - GSM, TDMA and AMPS
6310i - GSM, GPRS, Java support and Bluetooth techology.
The phone kit I am getting from Steve does not require Bluetooth.
I am disappointed but that is the reality.
Dick
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From: Massachusetts
C240 2002
Originally posted by dtkw
Well, I am preparing for that to happen too. If that is indeed true, can I just put the sim card into a 6310i and use it?
Well, I am preparing for that to happen too. If that is indeed true, can I just put the sim card into a 6310i and use it?
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Originally posted by rgleason
What Nokia told you is incorrect! The 6340i is fatter at the earpiece end. The clip on the cradle doesn't fit over the end of the phone. Also, the 6340i phone does not work with the Mercedces PSE that I have for my 6310i. I tried a Cingular account rep's 6340i in my car and it did not work.
I am disappointed but that is the reality.
Dick
What Nokia told you is incorrect! The 6340i is fatter at the earpiece end. The clip on the cradle doesn't fit over the end of the phone. Also, the 6340i phone does not work with the Mercedces PSE that I have for my 6310i. I tried a Cingular account rep's 6340i in my car and it did not work.
I am disappointed but that is the reality.
Dick
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From: Massachusetts
C240 2002
Originally posted by kaneman
The 6340 might not work but a 6360 just might, you should try one. It's a TDMA only version.
The 6340 might not work but a 6360 just might, you should try one. It's a TDMA only version.
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From: Long Island, NY / Mississauga, Ontario / Changhua, Taiwan
11 S550V4
AlBoston, if you find out how to clone a SIM can you tell me how to do it as well? I'm also on T-Mobile, and have an extra unregistered SIM lying around... thanks!!
