Mobile phone reception

[Scrums]

Hi all,

My workshop is in a cellar - that cellar has a window (it's not completely underground).....outside said window I can just about get a few bars on my mobile - but nothing inside.

Anyone any ideas if there's an aerial or something available to continue that signal another 2 metres or so to where I want it?

Chris

 

[ikd]

Try these

http://www.mobileboosters.co.uk/index.php

I have heard (independently) that they work, although I cant give a personal opinion.

 

[Adam]

Can you tell us the brand and model of your phone. Certainly many Nokias can easily be fitted with an external antenna like this:

Those are the sort of things I was thinking of. Could you plug it into such an item whilst in the basement?

Adam

 

[cambournepete]

Or, if it's a bluetooth equipped phone, wear a bluetooth remote headset and leave the phone where you can get a signal...

 

[Paul Chapman]

Chris,

Try the OFCOM sitefinder http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk/ to see where the mobile base stations are in your area. It might be that by changing service provider you get a better signal.

You could also try some friends phones which use other service providers to see if they get a signal where you are.

Hope this helps

Paul

 

[Scrums]

Thanks for your replies,

i) The phone is a rather elderly Nokia 3310 - not sure if and where an aerial would plug in.

ii) Don't fancy leaving the 'phone outside and using bluetooth - but it's not Bluetooth capable anyway and that would only transmit up to 10m I believe.

iii) I don't have any friends.....no, seriously - the workshop is the basement of a 3 storey stone building with 3' walls, across the alleyway is a 4 storey stone mill and opposite a 5 storey brick built silk mill.....I reckon I'm pretty lucky to get a signal anywhere close!

Chris.

 

[Sailor]

Good evening,

If I remember, the 3310 has an aerial connection and the Nokia aerial unit

Antenna Set NMT/GSM 900/1800 AMD-2

fits this set. This should give more than enough length to fit outside the building.

regards,

Colin

 

[Adam]

Many of the cheap (unbranded) antennas for nokia should fit no problems.

I think a pukka Nokia one will cost more than the cost of buying a new phone.

Adam

 

[Scrums]

Got it !!!

An upgrade from T-mobile to a bluetooth phone (£9.99) ....send my old one back and receive a cheque for a tenner !

Jabra Bluetooth headset (eBay) £20.....climb up the step ladder, put the phone by the window - switch on the phone on to hunt for a signal....and away we go.....a signal in a subterranean workshop !!!

Marvellous...

Chris.