Exec - HTC Universal External Antenna

[tedkay]

:?: I need a cable to connect to the phone antenna ports on the device - the port is smaller than the ones to be found on some mobiles (such as my old trusty Nokia 6310i) and I need to find out what type of connector is needed.

Does anyone know where a cable can be obtained or what type of connector is needed ?

[olliesshop]

It took me weeks to find the special connector for my XDAII. Now I'm in the same boat for the Universal (JASJAR). I've been searching the net for a while to no avail, but hopefully I find one soon and let us know. :?

[srmz]

Sorry just too lazy to go through the manual so decided to ask the enlightened friends on this forum. I want to know if the antenna socket provided at the back of the Universal is for GSM signals. The GSM signal in my home room is too weak so I thought that attaching an external antenna would be beneficial to the strength of the GSM signal. But obviously even if it is so attaching an antenna would be possible only once we have found a suitable connector.

Kind Regards

[olliesshop]

For the last 2 years (with my XDAII) I've used an antenna I ran through my outside brickwall and mounted outside my house. It helped the phone go from NO reception to a pretty good signal. I still have the cable running to my office/desk and all I need now is the connector. It has to be out there somewhere. I ended up buying my previous connector from http://digikey.com, but it ended up costing $30 ... but it was worth it. I'll do more digging today and see if I can find out more.

Oh and by the way, I was using GSM on my XDAII and the manual for the Universal says the connector (closest to the center or USB) is for GSM/GPRS.

[eagle 1]

Anyone find out what adapter fits the jasjar? My adapter for the pda2k does not fit.

[olliesshop]

I've sent emails to PDAGold, HTC in Taiwan and i-Mate to not avail. I'm going to keep on looking. Obviously someone has to know.

[olliesshop]

The connector on the phone is a Amphenol MHC-H196.

I've posted a pdf with all the specifications of the connector on the circuit board ... http://wiki.xda-developers.com/uploads/MHCH196.pdf

Now it's just a matter of finding the correct adapter.

[olliesshop]

After spending many hours looking and getting an official "not available" from digikey.com (who I got my XDAII adapter from) and imate techsupport ... I decided to make my own. I haven't been able to test it with my Jasjar yet, though, since it's still being repaired at Topp Solutions in Miami.

I ended up using 26 gage solid wire (which is .4mm diameter) and a .062 inch (1.6mm) diameter female pin connector. This is smaller than the diameter of the connector on the phone, which is actually 1.82mm. Although, I expect it to expand slightly (permanently) when it's slid over the connector on the phone. Obviously, it's very crude for now. I just want to see if it works then I might make a prettier one. I included some pictures for fun. By the way this cost me about $9 in material (which I can use for other projects) vs. $35 for the last adapter I bought for my XDAII through Digikey.

[Digs]

We have had the same issue ( product known as Jas jar)

My user name in this forum is Digs also, see our discussion :
REF: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=18&TopicId=7105
Did you see the interesting comments made by WilsonsElectronics. HTC really stuffed up with this one.


Is there any news on this matter.

At the moment I have sent an information pack to www.pasternack.com and I am currently waiting for a response. These people do customised products. See under technical support. I will keep you friends informed.

http://www.pasternack.com/ContactUs/ContactInformation.asp

[Digs]

I am after an adapter to get a signal booster... www.digitalantenna.com

I talked to them about three products. there email follows

Description Part Number List Price
60dB gain repeater system 4KSBR-50U $699.95
40dB gain repeater system 4KMR-30U $559.95
Direct Connect Amplifier DA4000 $299.95


DA4000:
The DA4000 amplifier must be purchased with an antenna and cell adapter cable and is a direct-connect system. The antenna is placed on the roof and connects to the inside amplifier which with the correct adapter would then connect to the cellular device. We have many adapters for different phones and air cards. If we do not have the adapter for your type of phone or air card the other option is a wireless repeater. However the direct-connect amplifier can provide higher performance because you are directly connected to it. Please use the link at the bottom of this email to download our 2006 on-line catalog. On page 28/29 is our Cell Adapter Cables which lists the adapters per make/model of cellular phone or PC card.

Description Part Number List Price
Direct Connect Amp. DA4000 $299.95
9dB cell antenna 288-PW $129.95
Cable 340-50NM $79.95
Adapter Cable pg 28/29 $19.95

4KSBR-50U:
The 4KSBR-50U system comes with an external antenna, 50' cable, amplifier/repeater, power supply and an internal antenna. So the external antenna can be installed on the roof with the cable going to the amplifier/repeater inside the house. The internal antenna is also plugged into the amplifier/repeater and is installed inside the house. There must be 40' separation and a wall/roof/bulkhead structure between inside and outside antennas.

With a good cellular signal outside the house the 4KSBR-50U system can reach as far as 40 feet from the internal antenna. Generally the SBR can penetrate 1 or 2 inside walls only and each wall will reduce the 40 feet coverage. Also keep in mind the weaker the outside signal the closer you will need to be to the inside antenna. The 4KSBR-50U system must have a signal that is at or greater than -90db to be able to amplify/repeat it.

4KMR-30U:
The 4KMR-30U, 40dB gain dual band cellular repeater system, comes with an external antenna, 30' cable, amplifier/repeater, power supply and an internal antenna. So the external antenna can be installed on the roof with the cable going to the amplifier/repeater inside the house. The internal antenna is also plugged into the amplifier/repeater and is installed inside the house. There must be 20' separation and a wall/roof/bulkhead structure between inside and outside antennas.

With a good cellular signal outside the house the 4KMR-30U system can reach as far as approximately 18 feet from the internal antenna but will not penetrate walls. Also keep in mind the weaker the outside signal the closer you will need to be to the inside antenna. The 4KMR-30U system must have a signal that is at or greater than -90db to be able to amplify/repeat it.

[nicko]

I haven't checked this very far yet but the picture seems to match... :D

http://www.boatersphone.com/PDAs.asp[/url]

[Digs]

More detail...at : http://www.boatersphone.com/Adapters.asp

Its the Nokia 359914 Multi Manufacture Cell Phone adpater, You stick a velco thing on your phone next to the internal adapter, and slide the nokia adapter into it. This is NOT a direct plug in into the External GSM jack of the HTC Universal device ( ie Jas Jar ). But looks like our only safe option. Not sure how the velcro thing goes on the device, the Jas Jar has a plastic back ( over the battery )???

Works on these networks, the site says : 900MHz/1800MHz/1900MHz/2100MHz networks

..."This is an extremely effective new kind of adapter, it works on a similar rinciple to the clip-on adapter, with the exception that it is tuned to work on more frequencies. We have tested it on all UK frequencies including 3G, and we know it works on the American 1900MHz band as well! This adapter was originally designed to work on Nokias but we have successfully used it on other makes of phones, making this a (hopefully!) truly universal adapter. It will work on 'candy-bar' style phones which have an internal antenna.

This adapter is two-piece, one piece is a velcro pad which has sticky-back plastic on it, and sticks onto the back of the phone over the internal antenna. The second piece is the adapter itself, which has velcro over the inductive plate, so it can be easily removed, and has a lead so it can be connected to an external antenna. '...

[moarph]

Where did you get the Information that it's a velcro adaptor?
reading the Page it says:
Plug-In Adaptor for O2 XDA Exec

More details about plug-in adaptor in general:
This kind adapter is called a plug-in adapter, for the simple reason that what it does is plug straight into the port on the back of the phone, and provides a cable connection to the antenna.

The plug-in adapter is preferred to the clip-on adpter, as it works on any mobile network.
I wrote them an email i'll keep you informed.

[Digs]

If you can get a plug in one then fine, but further down the page is where I get my info from. I highlighted in bold, just in case you cant see good.(Ha).

I'll bet the Jas Jar gets allocated the valcro one. As my experience is that its very difficult to find a plug one for the Jas Jar /O2 Exec.

[moarph]

Although I learly can read your bold text and being able to find this on on the page i really have no clue where you find the connection between the velco apdator and the O2 XDA Exec since it's marked with plug-in adaptor. Well we will see.

[Digs]

My apologies, yes "Plug-in Adapters", for "XDA, XDA II, XDA IIs, XDA Exec "..

BUT be carefull, the GSM external jack is very weak as per Wilson Electronic comments. Post me any confirmations of the plug in adapter working.

[nicko]

Their News page has a paragraph that describes a new adapter for various flavours of the Universal (although calling it Wizard to add to the confusion!) and warns against plugging in incompatible adapters. The adapters page lists the HTC devices under 'Plug-In' not 'Clip-on'. So that's why I posted. :)

I sent an Email after posting here, but it sounds like they are a small outfit so be patient!

Be careful with making adapters for transmitting antennae. For receiving antennae you can get away with almost anything, but for a transmitter a bad match on a connector will create reflections and emissions; it might even damage the transmitter (don't know if that's a problem here). If you don't see a clear increase on the reception bars with a well placed antenna, the adapter may be sending all the power straight back, doubling the voltage at the transmitter. Make sure everything is matched to 50R.

Nick (gave up my amateur radio license long ago since long hours in the loft didn't fit with married life!) :wink:

[nicko]

Can you do an adaptor from the obscure Amphenol MHCH196 socket on the HTC Universal Windows PDA phone? (XDA Exec, MDA Pro etc.). Presumably the other end is an FME f connector for the 'standard' phone antennas. Or alternatively the other end is a portable (non-mounted) antenna on 1800/2100MHz.

Many thanks

+++

Hello,

Yes we have an adapter to connect the HTC Universal to one of our antennae and you are correct about the FME F connection. We don't supply an adapter direct to an antennae, only in a two-part system via an FME connection, to allow for changing of either part.

If you require a portable antenna we have a 3G/Multiband antenna with a magnetic base (on 850/900/1800/1900/2100MHz frequencies) or we have a T-bar window antenna, which is 3G/Triband, although this doesn't produce as good results as the magnetic antenna.

Regards,

Arthur @ BPC

[moarph]

Any news? they don't seem to answer anymore. I wrote him two times. Anybody in contact with him?

[nicko]

They advise to be patient, I bet we've flooded them with enquiries and they quote two days to reply!

[Digs]

I got a response today. They say they are OUT OF STOCK, and getting more in ASAP of Jas Jar adapter.

No surprise there.

If any of you are first to get the adapter, please post your review. I am nervous that "it may not be as good as we all may hope"...

So an independent review will overcome my nervousness.

Part of there email that may interest all ....

..."The Mini Mag Mount Antenna requires a ground plane to work at optimum performance, any metal surface will suffice, such as a car roof, or small bracket. I suggest to save on costs you try to get a bracket a little bit more locally than here, as the weight of one bracket will at least double the cost of delivery. The cost for the adapter is £15. These are currently out of stock! We will be getting more in ASAP! The cost for the antenna is £35 with a 4m cable, or £30 with 2.3m cable."...

[Digs]

I got a response today. They say they are OUT OF STOCK, and getting more in ASAP of Jas Jar adapter.

No surprise there.

If any of you are first to get the adapter, please post your review. I am nervous that "it may not be as good as we all may hope"...

So an independent review will overcome my nervousness.

Part of there email that may interest all ....

..."The Mini Mag Mount Antenna requires a ground plane to work at optimum performance, any metal surface will suffice, such as a car roof, or small bracket. I suggest to save on costs you try to get a bracket a little bit more locally than here, as the weight of one bracket will at least double the cost of delivery. The cost for the adapter is £15. These are currently out of stock! We will be getting more in ASAP! The cost for the antenna is £35 with a 4m cable, or £30 with 2.3m cable."...

From www.boatersphone.com

[moarph]

Call me impatient but it seems dead to me...still no answer

[Digs]

Use the phone...

[moarph]

any updates?

[BPC]

Hello,

I am aware that some of you have been searching for this adapter for some time now, and my apologies that due to a stock issue, we haven’t been able to supply on demand. This adapter is first come first serve as it is still limited stock.

Now to answer some questions:

The adapter can go in either of the ports on the phone, it is unclear why HTC decided to put two ports on the phone when other manufacturers just put one, and indeed HTC itself put just one on other models.

We cannot confirm or deny that the connector is Amphenol MHCH196; it looks like it could be.

The system is in two parts; one part is the antenna, which works on 850/900/1800/1900/2100MHz frequencies, and comes with 4 metres of cable, this antenna has a magnetic base and the cable terminates with an FME F connector. The second part is a small cable, which has an FME M connector at one end and a connector for the HTC Universal at the other.

Due to a strictly limited stock of these adapters we will only sell one with an antenna unless you have previously bought an antenna from us, and we will supply an antenna with 4m of cable, if you require a different length please let us know.

The magnetic antenna which we recommend requires a small ground-plane to work effectively, we recommend you arrange to get one locally because of the postage costs associated with sending a piece of sheet steel internationally.

The costs:

The HTC Universal adapter is UK £20
A 3G/Multiband Mini-Mag antenna with 4 metres of cable is UK £35
International Postage is UK £15
UK Postage is £3.30

Total International cost is: UK £70
Total Domestic cost is: UK £58.30

International orders will be taken by card; you may send details over several emails DO NOT SEND THEM ALL IN ONE BECAUSE WE WILL NOT TAKE LIABILITY FOR INTERCEPTION! Or you can call us to place an order at the following times on the following number:

00447727663584, Ask for Arthur or Mark.

Monday, Wednesday, or Friday; GMT+1; 10am – 2pm.

Email address is sales@boatersphone.com

Regards,

Arthur @ BPC

[arpipap]

Did you guys see this?

http://scm.asianproducts.com/clients/showproducts_A10173435054851__P11480038890485572.h tml

[Digs]

What, now we have a flood of selections, I wonder if the Asian coy is reputable, many have recommended an adapter but not all have fitted well.

Still waiting for an independent review . If one of you buys one of these, please post your review.Thx

[nicko]

I may be moving into regions where UMTS/3G is more than a dream (I am currently in the wilderness where even GPRS requires careful acrobatics!), so I shall wait until plans are clear. Please can someone post prices for the Taiwanese adapter?
Thanks
Nick

[moarph]

Sorry guys but this seems pretty dead to me. Tried to call the guys at BPC actually talked a little with Arthur. He asked me to call him back on Wednesday. I did so but no one was able to answer the phone. So I spoke in their answering machine to call me back asap. Still waiting...
If you have 'trustable' businesspartners like the both at BPC, I really need a very good reason to give them my Visa Number...
If someone has more luck with BPC please give me a PM...otherwise my only (very small) hope is that Asia import thingy...IT IS REALY FRUSTRATING

[weebobster]

*bump* any updates?

[Digs]

I have emailed the Asian suppliers twice, no response. I only get "we will be in touch soon" standard response.

I will call them this week, hope they speak english !

[weebobster]

Good luck Digs, and keep us all posted! this is very frustrating, i have really poor signal recpetion at work and mt recent update to Radio 1.09.00 hasnt had any noticable impacr imho.

[Digs]

I have made contact with Tawian re sellers, by phone, and yes communication is an issue by voice. Will be doing emails only, the seam like nice folk.

I am asking a heap of questions, like will it work !!!

So far as I can work out the cost is about $60 USD ( frieght ??, not sure yet ) in total for the items below. I may the antenna priced incorrectly. They did say lead time was 3 weeks.

Maybe you can comment on my product selections for the Imate Jas Jar. Will I have issues, the seam ok.

MY SELECTED PRODUCTS :
Car Antenna-INSIDE-ON-GLASS(PATCH ANTENNAS)(AA-09-2)
http://scm.asianproducts.com/clients/showproducts.php?pid=A10757702839278&cno=A10173435054851

1.Connector: TNC/FME/SMA
2.CABLE: RG174U
3.Ferquency: 900/1800(800/1900) , UMTS, 3GMHz
4.Gain: 2.5dB
5.lmpedance: 50ohm
6.VSWR: 1.5:1


External Antenna Cable Adaptors for I-MATE-JASJAR(I-MATE-JASJAR)
http://scm.asianproducts.com/clients/showproducts.php?pid=P11480038890485572&cno=A10173435054851

1.CABLE: RG174
2.LENGTH: 50CM , 100CM
3.CONNECTOR: TNC,MINI UHF ,FME


Pass comments on my product selection if you like !

UPDATE : 20060625 : Communication is hard with the people at the company, they dont accept credit cards, cost is about $60 USD ( I think ??? ). I have to pay by TT, what ever that is, due to langauge difficulties I cant determine how good the product are together. The adapter is made by them, not a major phone company like NOKIA.
If you speak Taiwanese then email Jenny and have a go : jenny@chinmore.com.tw

[dpaul]

I give up. I just bought a HP Ipaq 6515. At least I can get a decent phone signal on it. I like my Qtek 9000 and don't want to give it up, I can't get an external antenna for it. The HTC 6600 and 6601 had problems with there external antenna when you connected a adapter to it. The connector was not strong enough and would break on the phone side. And then you had no signal at all. I think that's why it's so difficult to get a adapter for the Universal. The design is screwed up. Which leads to the question of why they would put one there anyway. I feel like I got played on that one. They advertise that there is an external antenna connection so you assume you can get one. Silly me. I hate to sell it but.

Dan :(

[moarph]

any news?

[Camstech]

Whilst this may not suit those who want to use the Jasjar in their home, THB Bury do a Jasjar car cradle for their Uni 8 system. This uses a re-radiating antenna connection, where the antenna signal is fed into the cradle behind the inbuilt antenna. I find that this is sufficient to raise the signal strength by about two bars. I have friends in a black spot, and can get no signal at all when removed from the cradle; the Jasjar goes into "search" mode. Stick it in the cradle and I get two bars, quite enough for a phone call.
Hellishly expensive though, at more than AU$200 just for the cradle.
It remains the simplest option as it requires no plugging in.
Lord knows why HTC put a product on the market without supplying the accesories for it. It just seems like a totally lost marketing opportunity.
Same goes for the GPS antenna of the i-mate PDA-N. You must go after market. D'oh.

[Digs]

Thanks...

..."THB Bury do a Jasjar car cradle for their Uni 8 system. This uses a re-radiating antenna connection,"...

Can you post links to show this service ?

[Ferret-Simpson]

WARNING - Due to recent tests we advise against purchasing the XDA Exec / T-Mobile Pro / i-Mate Jasjar / HTC Universal and its variants. They are prone to hardware and software faults, and no antenna adapter is currently available except through our agents. If customers want to test an adapter in this handset they can arrange to see one of our agents.

Does this mean I should be saying "Oops" about now? XD

Oh well, I have Monthly Insurance. XD

[Camstech]

THB-Bury do a range of cars kits, with individual cradles for different phone models. These cradles just clip into a standard fitting that mounts to your dash. Most systems have an external aerial, and work through the cars factory speakers.
Here is the link for the HTC cradles:
http://www.bury.com/technologies/GB/hands-free/47/UNI_Take&Talk/HTC
As far as hardware problems go, I have had none at all with my Jasjar. About the only weakness (apart from weight!) is an occasional Bluetooth shutdown, that usually only occurs when I swap devices regularly, like leaving the THB car environment and connecting a Jabra BT Headset.

[Ferret-Simpson]

I've had mine since the 21'st, and it's Lighter than my SL-5600. XP

I've been leaving it in my pocket, and I've yet to even scratch it. Even SLIGHTLY! I've got the Keyboard-Screen dotmarks, but who cares about those? It's beautiful anyway!

Congratulations to o2 on doing the sexiest Case Metals.

Black, Purple, and gunmetal. With Ice-Blue illumination. It's genus!

[dougjessco]

Go to http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/ or http://www.wpsantennas.com/
for antennas and adapters. They have ones that fit just about aby phone, including the WM5's like the Wizard.

[skywriter]

i bought a 600 dollar repeater for my wallaby years ago. it never worked much. i use a landline in the house, and randomly lie the phone down for push mail, sometimes i get something. but i still have a cable'/VPN for email in the basement. verison i can get reception, not t-mobile. but that unlimited data - no matter how much i can't get to it - is irresistable :)

[josephmyates]

Hello all... Just have taken possession of my new XDA Exec and am investigating an adapter for the seemingly elusive Universal plug... which lead me to this thread... has anyone successfully accomplished attaching a external antenna to one of these babies??? Any updates on the Taiwan connection?

Joseph

[ChilliBYTE]

http://scm.asianproducts.com/clients/showproducts_A10173435054851__P11480038890485572.h tml

It's the right adapter to connect to the standard FME-F type connectors for the antenna.

[6pacman]

Hi all.

It seems that indeed the universal is a poor receiver. One of these Amphenol type adaptors is fitted to a glass-mount antenna on the front of my house (3 meter cable) and yet STILL the reception is intermittently woeful. It is somewhat better whilst not on speakerphone (screen closed) but after a phone call of a few minutes it begins to drop, crackle and slur the conversation, often to the point of the connection dropping altogether. Signal range would have to be one of the lowest I have ever experienced on a mobile. I mean what were HTC thinking when they stuffed that white plastic/metallic thing inside it? Why not a compact telescopic antenna? Or something built into the screen casing?

To say that the O2 has often taken on the appearance and appeal of a discus after yet another disconnect is being conservative ( -;þ

I am going to try one more option of a more permanent-mount type antenna higher up on my TV antenna pole, and see how it goes before going to a new phone. Great device, and yes it can get you "black-balled" if you happen to have Resco Audio Recorder installed and bucket of SD capacity to record corrupt pollies, but oh for a reliable signal. Dang!