I have a cellphone question.

watdahel

Golden Member
Jun 22, 2001
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I just got my first cellphone yesterday: a Motorola v60t with At&t. As this is my first cellphone experience I don't know what is standard quality of service. My concern is that I'm getting dropped calls inside my home and sometimes the busy signal is distorted, fades in-out with static in certain parts of the house. Is this normal for indoors?

Also, any of you use those signal amplifiers, especially the one I see in commercials all the time? It's that metallic tape-like thing that you put on the back of the phone and supposedly it boosts signals and prevents dropped calls. Does it really work and is it worth the money?

I am aware of cellphones causing health problems due to radio frequency(RF) radiation from the antenna. I've been doing some research on the net and according to CNET.com the motorola v60c(same phone for sprint PCS) has a 0.42W/Kg(watts per kilogram) rating.

"According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), SAR or specific absorption rate is "a way of measuring the quantity of radiofrequency (RF) energy that is absorbed by the body." For a phone to pass FCC certification, that phone's maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6W/kg (watts per kilogram). The SAR level listed in our chart represents the maximum SAR level with the phone next to the ear, a level obtained through required FCC tests."

Being my phone is well below the FCC maximum, I wonder if this is my problem. Is the SAR proportional to the signal strength of the cellphone? If I do use one of those signal boosters modules, in effect I'm increasing the SAR of my cellphone am I not?
 

SALvation

Senior member
Apr 10, 2001
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Those magnetic strips don't work. If they did the manufacturers would already put them in. As for AT&T, I just dropped them for my wife's cell and switched her to Sprint with myself. I hated AT&T's reception and quality and we always had dropped calls. I have good luck with Sprint so I prefer them.
 

joe678

Platinum Member
Jun 12, 2001
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how often do u get the dropped calls/distorted signals, is it only indoors? i was actually gonna pick up the same deal today and would be interested to know if i should go with att or voicestream...
 

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
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its normal.

Just that some areas have bad reception and others have good. Just one of those things.....

Well thats my experience in England. My house has very picky spots of reception and so does one of my mates. The rest have good reception anywhere...........
 

Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
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What?s the signal strength meter look like inside?

Some people need to shop around before they find a service that works both at work and at home.

That's why you usually have 14 days to return the phone and cancel the contract without penalty.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
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Originally posted by: Garfang
What?s the signal strength meter look like inside?

Some people need to shop around before they find a service that works both at work and at home.

That's why you usually have 14 days to return the phone and cancel the contract without penalty.

I agree. People are usually too concerned with getting "the cheapest calling plan" but what good is that if your cell phone service SUCKS?

Always ask around your friends, family and co-workers who they have, are they happy, etc.? Then read online reviews for your area, then go out and get a cell phone.
 

watdahel

Golden Member
Jun 22, 2001
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I've only had experience with the phone since yesterday so don't take my word too seriously. I haven't tested it thoroughly, but the one call I made last night, outside my home didn't drop. The dropped, indoor calls happened 2-3 times lastnight. Sometimes, when I move around the sound fades in- and-out like when you tune a radio to get the best possible signal.

My place also has some weird natural interference which may be affecting the phone's performance. Even my computer monitor flickers when I place it in certain part of the house.

Is that 14 day return policy standard with all carriers? If it is then I may end up switching to sprint PCS if I still get horrible results for the next few days.

By the way Joe, if you gonna jump on this deal I suggest you go to Buy.com since you pay them only $100 for the phone and mail in the $100 At&t rebate. I bought mine from Amazon.com for $250 and I have to mail in 2 rebates to get the phone free. I only found this out yesterday. Damn!
 

watdahel

Golden Member
Jun 22, 2001
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Believe me when I say: I did my research. I had a headache to prove it. All the online reviews about the motorola v60t At&t phone got good reviews and mentioned good signal in New York and San Francisco according to CNET.com.
 

joe678

Platinum Member
Jun 12, 2001
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got the phone today made a couple of calls and it seems ok with me irght now...i'll test it out more tomrrrow...i ended up getting it from local b&m...free phone + $100 rebate with 1 year contract...so pretty good deal so far...
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
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While in doors, the quality tends to decrease since there is a barrier around you. Just wait until you hit the malls, you will get little or no signal in many stores.
 

Cyberian

Diamond Member
Jun 17, 2000
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erwin1978

joe678 -


You guys mind telling me what part of NY you are from?
I'm on LI, just about on the Nassau/Suffolk line and was seriously considering the Motorola v60t with AT&T service.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
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The V60 is an excellent phone, with among the best reception of all phones on the market. You just might be in a dead spot of AT&T's coverage. If so, try another carrier on a different network, like Sprint or Voicestream.
 

Nightfall

Golden Member
Nov 16, 1999
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*flame suit on*

My wife and I have Nextel with the i90c phone. Not the cheapest plans...but the plans are the best we have ever had. The coverage is just as good since we live in the city. I know a lot of people hate Nextel, but we love the service and phones.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
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Eh Nextel's service is good if your in a covered area...but they are exxxpeennnsive.
 

joe678

Platinum Member
Jun 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: Cyberian
erwin1978

joe678 -


You guys mind telling me what part of NY you are from?
I'm on LI, just about on the Nassau/Suffolk line and was seriously considering the Motorola v60t with AT&T service.

manhattan...btw i just got a chance to check out some features on the phone it is very nice indeed and made a few calls sound quality is excellent for me...one thing i did notice is when calling the cell phone takes a little longer to connect than other phones i've seen but thats not too big a deal...