[chbot] Cellphone reception

[Chris Hellyar]

Hi Mike...
 
We live between Leeston and Southbridge, and regularly travel further out...
 
Short version:  I own an iPhone 4S, and Galaxy 3 I use with a data-only sim occasionally.
 
I had a galaxy S5 as well that I sold as it was too big for me to use as an every-day phone.  (personal choice, Prefer a phone to hide in my pocket, not dominate my whole shirt!)
 
Anyway.
 
iPhone at our place with Spark or 2degees (connects to VF) no problems at all with coverage, works pretty much everywhere.
 
Samsung's, not so much.  The S5 was better than the 3, but both marginal.  Neither worked in the (metal clad) garage even with both of the big tilt doors open, whereas the iPhone is fine.
 
The S5 didn't get any coverage if I stuck it on the bed-side table, which is what lead to me selling it as I'm on call occasionally for work.  iPhone has never missed a beat sitting in exactly the same spot with the same sims in it.  (I had one for both networks, although I've now settled on 2Degrees due to better data plan)
 
I also get poorer WiFi performance out of the S3 than the iPhone as it happens, can't comment on S5 Wifi performance as I never really took notice although the Tab4 I have is excellent, probably better than the iPhone.
 
Anecdotally from other locals current model Samsungs are not as good as some of the earlier ones in rural areas.  The Nokia Lumias and iPhones are good..  LG and Hauwei are paperweights unless you're in the township with clear line of site to the towers.
 
Worth noting is that the cell towers for both networks are line-of-site visible if I stand on the roof or in a tall tree, both within about 6k's of the house...  But there is only one per network out this way, and in a more urban area typically you'd be at least that close to a couple of towers and the towers would be multi-channel to provide bandwidth etc..
 
Cheers, Chris H.
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: "Mike Smith" <mikesmith25 at gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, 17 January, 2015 22:41
To: Chchrobotics at lists.linuxnut.co.nz
Subject: [chbot] Cellphone reception



Hi

Does anybody have experience with cellphone reception in rural areas?

I have 2 phones on the Spark network 1 work and 1 personal (Personal
was originally on Vodafone but changed to Spark to get better
coverage)

I have found that with the Samsung Ace 3 I have, the signal level is
about 15 to 20 dbm below than the LG P500 that sits beside it

I didnt consider the issue of reception when I bought it and work have
just supplied me with a Samsung S4 mini to replace the LG which I
suspect will have the same problem

Are some phones have better reception than others, havent been able to
find much on Google, have been told the the Iphone is better because
it has dual antennas

Does anybody use external antennas or anything?

Any help appreciated

Mike

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