Cellphone Signal Boosters On Gpsr's?

[GLHeX]

I was looking around ebay for a GPS case and found someone selling a GPSr with one of these:

 

 

A cell phone antenna booster, and I laughed. Theres no way this can work... or can it?

 

Just figured I'd post this odd question, I'm sure someone else has seen or thought of this before. Anyone know if this might work?

 

Thanks

[+Miragee]

Interesting. Since most of the areas I cache in don't have cell phone reception, this would be an area to test that gizmo in . . .

 

 

if I had a cell phone.

[+IV_Warrior]

Yeah, i wonder if they really even to anything for cellphones, let alone a GPS.

[GLHeX]

Yeah, a friend of mine had one of these on his phone and said it worked. I've never tried it on any of my cell phones so I'm not personally sure.

 

I just wonder if this might help while walking ino heavy tree cover on a GPSr.

Just a thought.

[+webscouter.]

They don't work on cell phones to start with.

 

Also the frequency range of a cell phone and the gps signal is different so a passive device tuned for the cell phone frequencies wouldn't work for the gps signal

[+Glenn]

If i remember correctly the package has a YMMV statement. An article at About.com has some good points to think about.

 

• if adding such a simple sticker to just any cell phone really improved RF performance, cell phone manufacturers would do it themselves.
   
  
• The only instructions provided with that product are to place the antenna booster under the battery, &toward the side where the fixed antenna enters the phone&. That should give place to a variety of placement depending on the phone you use. And how about those phones with an internal antenna that is not visible to the user?
   
  
• The antenna booster isn't physically connected to the phone.
   
  
• funny enough : the antenna booster's drawing even includes an &up-side& notice with an arrow printed in the same metallic color as the antenna itself. So do the letters also contribute to the RF waves reformatting?
   
  
• And though there’s supposedly an &up side&, both sides are actually alike
   
  
• Does that mean that if you are talking on your phone laid down on your couch with the phone upside down, the antenna booster won't work?
   
  
• Does that mean that RF waves have an up side? I doubt.
  

 

So do cell phone antenna boosters really work? These reasons lead me to believe that these stickers are not very credible and that their performance can not be verified. I wouldn't purchase such a thing. Please keep in mind that this text is based solely on my own opinion and make your own decision.

 

But if you wnat to do your own tests I wouldn't spend more than $2 per package. You can sometimes find them at the dollar store. Sometimes they can be had on ebay for even less.

[GLHeX]

Very good points.

 

Does that mean that RF waves have an up side? I doubt.

 

Haha, so good.

[+Ed & Julie]

I recieved one free when I bought a new cover for my phone. The "booster" didn't do squat for my reception.

 

Ed

[+EScout]

They absolutely do not work on Cell phones or GPSrs. They are a joke to most people including a radio frequency engineer I know. The other joke are those things that are made to put on the speaker to block radiation.

[drew]

But wait! Didn't you guys notice the "As Seen on TV" logo on the packaging?? Surely then it MUST work as advertised...not only for cell phones, but also for GPS, MP3 players, microwave ovens, plus, if you ORDER NOW, it will improve your gas mileage.

Edited July 10, 2005 by drew

[WH]

As an RF engineer, I can assure that the only thing that these things do, Is separate you from your money.

 

They do not work. Do not waste your time or money on them.

[+Glenn]

... microwave ovens, ...

So will it burn your food faster or cause the RF to leak in to the room?

[+joe gremlin]

I've used these for years with both my cellphone and my GPS. But I've got a buddy named Tom who's found a bunch of stuff they're good for.

 

That's right, it filets, it chops

It dices, slices, never stops

lasts a lifetime, mows your lawn

And it mows your lawn

and it picks up the kids from school

It gets rid of unwanted facial hair

it gets rid of embarrassing age spots

It delivers a pizza

and it lengthens, and it strengthens

And it finds that slipper that's been at large

under the chaise longe for several weeks

And it plays a mean Rhythm Master

It makes excuses for unwanted lipstick on your collar

And it's only a dollar, step right up

it's only a dollar, step right up

 

It forges your signature.

If not completely satisfied

mail back unused portion of product

For complete refund of price of purchase

Step right up

Please allow thirty days for delivery

don't be fooled by cheap imitations

You can live in it, live in it

laugh in it, love in it

Swim in it, sleep in it

Live in it, swim in it

laugh in it, love in it

Removes embarrassing stains from contour sheets

that's right

And it entertains visiting relatives

it turns a sandwich into a banquet

Tired of being the life of the party?

Change your shorts

change your life

change your life

Change into a nine-year-old Hindu boy

get rid of your wife

And it walks your dog, and it doubles on sax

Doubles on sax, triples on sax, quadruples on sax

you can jump back Jack

See you later alligator

And it steals your car

It gets rid of your gambling debts, it quits smoking

It's a friend, and it's a companion

And it's the only product you will ever need

Follow these easy assembly instructions

it never needs ironing

Well it takes weights off hips, bust

thighs, chin, midriff

Gives you dandruff, and it finds you a job

it is a job

And it gives you denture breath

And you know it's a friend, and it's a companion

And it gets rid of your traveler's checks

It's new, it's improved, it's old-fashioned

Well it takes care of business

never needs winding

Never needs winding

never needs winding

Gets rid of blackheads, the heartbreak of psoriasis

Christ, you don't know the meaning of heartbreak, buddy

 

Edited because I kant spel

Edited July 10, 2005 by joe gremlin

[+budd-rdc]

If you are not sure, don't buy it....

 

unless you paid off all your mortgages, paid off your kids' college tuitions, and took care of all major loans and expenses.

 

In that case, there are plenty of fellow friendly Geocachers waiting to use your expendable income productively.