Antenna Facts: Longer Better??

[Bitslap47]

Recent discussions have brought up an interesting question.

If an antenna is longer, does it perform better?

The answer is: Just because it is longer does not mean it will improve your reception, and in most cases will degrade it.

Antennas effectively have 2 lengths. A physical length, and an electrical length.

Here are a few articles explaining the electrical length of an antenna;

http://www.christianmedianetwork.com...e_antennas.htm

http://www.atis.org/tg2k/_electrical_length.html

http://www.centurion.com/pdf/centurion-designguide-043002.pdf

Most aftermarket/replacement antennas can cause health risks including physical burns, may damage the TX(Transmit) circuit in your phone, and shorten battery life between charges.

The antennas may not only differ in length, but most likely are not matched to the design of the internal phone circuitry.

Do longer antennas have advantages? Yes! They allow for top performance in a wider band, but there are many engineering innovations that more than compensate for this, and in the cell phone world, it's just not needed. These are narrowband devices. When using the same antenna for 800 and 1900MHZ bands, internal circuitry changes the effective electrical length of the antenna to make it work just as well in the higher band.

Even external antennae that can plug into a port on the back of your phone and stick on your vehicle need to be researched to be sure they are for the proper band, and of the proper impedance.

Ask for their test data before purchasing! Check with your handset manufacturer to see whose external antennas are compatible, and what the specs of a compatible antenna are.

This has been a heated topic in other threads, but I am concerned only with making sure people are properly informed.

If you know the risks, but want to use one that flashes or is a nice looking steel retractable jobby, go for it!

[JamisonBWolsh]

Hmmm,
Better Health and Reception? The answer is YES!

your "proof" does not mention cell phones....
These articles actually DEAL with antennas!

HEALTH- How a RETRACTABLE Antenna is SAFER!

http://www.darwinmag.com/read/020101...s_content.html
" Pull the ANTENNA as far as it goes"

FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/cellphones/qa.html#22

Length of the antenna:

Here is an article letting you know that most manufactorers add the antena as an "after thought"

http://www.manufacturing.net/dn/inde...l&Submit=Go%21


and another one saying 7 1/2 length inches is best:

http://denbeste.nu/cdmafaq/antenna.shtml



These articles are DEVOTED to that of CELL PHONES.... not at articles that looks at Antennas in general.

These articles are for you, as a consumer, to make a Educated choice and choose something that would benefit you. Whatever that may be. I will PERSONALLY test this when I get the retractable antenna in the mail.


If you want to use the Flashy or OEM stubby antenna, Please do so. Just be aware of the health issues and poorer reception to these Fashionable small antennas.

[Tony E!]

ok, let's move on[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

[Bitslap47]

bump

[Tony E!]

has anyone else bought this extended antenna?

[Bitslap47]

Here is the reponse from LG, even though Jamison says it is invalid. This guy isn't just tech support, he manages the test technicians as well.

LG Support Wrote:

Dear Mr. XXXXXXXX,

Aftermarket anything is not the way to go. One thing to remember is that the antenna's that we have are impedance matched with the phone. If a user gets an aftermarket antenna it may show an increase in signal, but this does not mean it will perform better. Aftermarket antennas could cause reflection back into the phone which will decrease performance of the phone. The other thing to consider is that putting an aftermarket antenna on the phone will void the warranty on the handset.

Michael Henson
Manager- Test & Technical Support
LG Mobile Phones
10225 Willow Creek Rd.
San Diego , CA 92131

[JamisonBWolsh]

Yes...

So dont get one. Manufactorers dont like you buying merchindise that they did not produce. Of course they are going to say that so you purchase what THEY sell. Its only Intellegient to assume thats what they say. Oh..whats this threat about voiding Warranty? How would they know you used it in the first place. ALSO, that warranty includes using the OEM chargers as well. Even the verizon one. Contact Verizon and they say its fine. Its all Business Bitslap, that all..... Econimics 101.


As PROVEN earlier, using the retractable is healthier and a better reception- You see how Bitslap dropped that subject. He was so adiment about the quality of the signal. NOW, its this. Whats next Bitslap, the color is going to ruin the phone?

MANY (thousands of people) have used Aftermarket Antennas (these are BRAND new mind you) with no problems with the phone. Where is your PROOF Bitslap. Please specify a link that says using an aftermarket Antenna will 100 percent harm the phone (not from LG), otherwise your just expelling hot air. so PROVE IT!

[Bitslap47]

See thread below:

Thread