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Rick Pietroski · 06-19-2008, 10:51 AM

When crossing the Lake by boat from Chicago IL to Saugatuck Michigan, how far from shore can expect to connect to a Tower?

Yankees368 · 06-19-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Pietroski

When crossing the Lake by boat from Chicago IL to Saugatuck Michigan, how far from shore can expect to connect to a Tower?

Theres really no telling how far a signal will travel, and still remain useable. It depends on local conditions, even the weather. You should be good for 20 miles though.

Gamer03 · 06-19-2008, 8:42 PM

It all depends. If you have a cell antenna connected to your boat and cell phone (if it is capable), you can get a signal pretty far away (you would need to consult with people familiar with these antennas). My uncle used to have Verizon and when he was out on his boat in Lake Michigan, he could make/receive calls about 7 miles away from the shore.

RadioFoneGuy · 06-19-2008, 9:12 PM

Depends on the Carriers really. Both CDMA and GSM have an average of 20-30 miles range but can be extended out if needed.

khanco · 06-25-2008, 3:30 AM

Theres actually companies that have towers on the water....I forgot the name of the company but some major carriers may have roaming agreements with them. find out from your local provider

Northbound Wireless · 06-25-2008, 1:14 PM

We've actually had interference from other sites in MI transmitting across and affecting our phones here in WI. My guess is that, depending on your carrier, you would be able to pick up signal nearly all the way across the lake. The problem you will run into is if you are on a call you will probably drop unless the carrier has those neighbors across the lake in their neighbor lists. If you are in data (aircard, etc) you probably wouldn't notice much difference.

~~cellnutty~~ · 06-28-2008, 7:01 PM

Would it be possible that the signal can bounce off the water like skipping a rock? Would this allow for it to travel farther?

Barciurek · 06-30-2008, 2:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadioFoneGuy

Depends on the Carriers really. Both CDMA and GSM have an average of 20-30 miles range but can be extended out if needed.

nope
gsm 1900 MAXIMUM (which doesnt mean always happens) is 5 miles.. GSM 850 maximum is 22 miles..

RadioFoneGuy · 06-30-2008, 4:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barciurek

nope
gsm 1900 MAXIMUM (which doesnt mean always happens) is 5 miles.. GSM 850 maximum is 22 miles..

I have been over 20 miles on 1900 and between 30-40 miles on 850.

This is the GSM that I work with everyday.

treotosh · 06-30-2008, 7:42 PM

Who is your current wireless service provider?
O and Welcome to Wireless Advisor

Northbound Wireless · 06-30-2008, 10:49 PM

We would have Nextel sites transmitting across the lake in the Summer months. This is actually referred to as 'ducting'. To answer the question, "does the signal bounce?" The simple answer is yes, but there are factors that need to be in place. Mainly it has to do with atmospheric and weather conditions. For more info see the below link. See 6.2

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06-19-2008, 10:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rick Pietroski I made my first post! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lake Michigan reception When crossing the Lake by boat from Chicago IL to Saugatuck Michigan, how far from shore can expect to connect to a Tower?

06-19-2008, 8:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gamer03 Technology Aficionado Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Florida Everglades Posts: 8,190 Phone(s): AT&T Tilt (me), AT&T Tilt (Dad), Motorola Razr 2 V9 (mom), Motorola Razr 2 V9 (sis) Provider(s): AT&T (4 lines on a FS plan) Devices: NB;GPS;Sling Pro; iPod 80GB; Kenwood DDX512 Thanks: 6 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Lake Michigan reception It all depends. If you have a cell antenna connected to your boat and cell phone (if it is capable), you can get a signal pretty far away (you would need to consult with people familiar with these antennas). My uncle used to have Verizon and when he was out on his boat in Lake Michigan, he could make/receive calls about 7 miles away from the shore. __________________ My Video Game Systems (in order of purchase): Sega Genesis > Sega 32x > Sega CD > Sega GameGear > PS1 (died so I upgraded)> PS1 DualShock > PS2 > Xbox > Xbox 360 Premium (died so I upgraded)> Xbox 360 Elite > PS3 80 GB

06-19-2008, 9:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
RadioFoneGuy Pimpin the Tilt! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Everywhere. Posts: 1,153 Phone(s): Nokia 6103, 6010, 2260, HTC TILT, moto V400, 55, Nokia 6682, 6085, to many phones Provider(s): The death star formally known as Cell One. Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Lake Michigan reception Depends on the Carriers really. Both CDMA and GSM have an average of 20-30 miles range but can be extended out if needed. __________________ Cellular One of Georgia 1994-96 ATTWS 1999-2003 and VoiceStream 2001-2003 Cellular One from Dobson Cellular 2003-2007 AT&T JR 2008 to Present.

06-25-2008, 3:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
khanco Get me out of Newbieville! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SW suburbs of Chicago Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Lake Michigan reception Theres actually companies that have towers on the water....I forgot the name of the company but some major carriers may have roaming agreements with them. find out from your local provider

06-25-2008, 1:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Northbound Wireless Movin' on up! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northeast WI Posts: 7 Phone(s): iDEN 7100 BB (old, but..., Motorola iDEN i730 Provider(s): Sprint & Nextel Devices: Novatel Air Card - EVDO rev.A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Lake Michigan reception We've actually had interference from other sites in MI transmitting across and affecting our phones here in WI. My guess is that, depending on your carrier, you would be able to pick up signal nearly all the way across the lake. The problem you will run into is if you are on a call you will probably drop unless the carrier has those neighbors across the lake in their neighbor lists. If you are in data (aircard, etc) you probably wouldn't notice much difference.

06-28-2008, 7:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
~~cellnutty~~ Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 9 Phone(s): Tilt, V9M, Pearl 8130 Provider(s): AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Lake Michigan reception Would it be possible that the signal can bounce off the water like skipping a rock? Would this allow for it to travel farther?

06-30-2008, 7:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
treotosh Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orlando area Posts: 161 Phone(s): Palm Treo 750, White Iphone 3G, T-mobile Blackberry, T-mobile blackberry perl Provider(s): Cingular/At&t Devices: tomtom, imac, samsung tv (34inch) and XM Thanks: 11 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Lake Michigan reception Who is your current wireless service provider? O and Welcome to Wireless Advisor __________________ AT&T BLUE ROOM MUSIC, NOW OPEN!

06-30-2008, 10:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
Northbound Wireless Movin' on up! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northeast WI Posts: 7 Phone(s): iDEN 7100 BB (old, but..., Motorola iDEN i730 Provider(s): Sprint & Nextel Devices: Novatel Air Card - EVDO rev.A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Lake Michigan reception We would have Nextel sites transmitting across the lake in the Summer months. This is actually referred to as 'ducting'. To answer the question, "does the signal bounce?" The simple answer is yes, but there are factors that need to be in place. Mainly it has to do with atmospheric and weather conditions. For more info see the below link. See 6.2 Wireless Crash Course - Google Book Search

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