[Katrina Niolet]

I did a search for this and did not find anything, does anyone know if you can get external "whip" antena for the blackberry 72xx? (I would assume it would plug into the USB port)

thanks,
Katrina Niolet

[corey@12mile]

I doubt you can get an external antenna. The antenna's that are built in are optimized for gsm/gprs. The handheld will only use as much power as it needs to broadcast the signal, and a bigger antenna is not going to help.

Interestingly enough, the reason for the stubby antenna's on the iDEN devices is not for better signal, it's actually to direct the radio waves away from your head because of the power that they have to broadcast at. This is true for all iDEN devices. Makes me want to keep one close to me...

cd.

[tzarcone]

Originally Posted by corey@12mile

I doubt you can get an external antenna. The antenna's that are built in are optimized for gsm/gprs. The handheld will only use as much power as it needs to broadcast the signal, and a bigger antenna is not going to help.

Interestingly enough, the reason for the stubby antenna's on the iDEN devices is not for better signal, it's actually to direct the radio waves away from your head because of the power that they have to broadcast at. This is true for all iDEN devices. Makes me want to keep one close to me...

cd.

Wow learn something new everyday. Always thought it was a signal thing for the Nextel's

[corey@12mile]

No... They have a lab where they do the testing for this stuff at RIM and the guy who runs it has some choice things to say about all the phones and RF radiation.

cd.

[ck99a]

The extendable antenna on my 7510 might seem like a great idea, but if I put it up, my signal actually DECREASES.