The AM Forum

The new Iphone4 may have a design problem making it an undesireable QRP rig.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8759590.stm

I can hear it now, from the TimTron:

What ya need to do is feed the IPhone with open wire line, and make the antenna a double-extended Zepp. 

Antenna A  !!!   (pissweak)

Antenna B  !!!  (strapping !)

The guy who stole the prototype left behind in the bar should have run some tests with it before he returned it.

just another POS from crApple......



Tom - AB3FL

A family member works for apple. This thing is garbage with a capitol G. Just like almost all apple products.  I have tried to like them many times.  But in the end. Its low level consumer junk.

The family held an "intervention" because of this persons Crappy ATT/Iphone. Its nearly useless.  The damn thing wont even work in the persons HOME!  They has to step outside to make a call.  Then.. When you do get them on the phone, Its likely to cut out and Drop the call. 


C

There is no data to confirm that. The Iphone only works on ATT.

C

I am told you can Crack the Iphone and use it on other services like Verizon or T mobile.  I dont know anyone that has done this so I cant comment. The app is called Jail break. I see adds on Craigslist of people in the area that will do this for you. I also understand that if you Drop it and break the thing, The insurance is non existent on a phone that is not on ATT.

I wanted an Iphone for a long time.  But I run a biz and I cant deal with a phone that Drops calls. I got an Apple I touch for xmas (go figure) and I actualy like the thing for one purpose.. I can watch wide screen movies on the plane when I travel and I can listen to music.  The games and things are neat but I dont find myself playing them much.  I do use the sniper balistics application sometimes :),  The electronic level is neat and hams have offered lots of neat applications such as DXcluster and Geocron type clock.

I spoke with a man in California on 75 meters using his Iphone. He wrote and application to control his radio back at home from anywhere in the world. The audio was top notch, No delay and I had no idea he was on an Iphone.  Lots of neat features.. But crappy service and Drop calls is a no go.



C

People use them on verizon all the time once cracked.  You dont use verizons CDMA.

C

Hmmm.  So its on verizon, but its not on verizon at the same time. Good stuff.

C

i can confirm this problem. I picked up my Iphone4 on Friday and noticed right away that my wife's Iphone3 was able to make calls when mine didn't even have a signal and we were standing right next to each other. I haven't tried using blue tooth, maybe that will be better. I do live on the edge of cell reception but this is troubling. ::)

Bob
wb6kwt

I think you'll finally see an Iphone on Verizon when all of the providers move to the next generation of network, LTE. That seems to be about 18 months out for the major cities. I'd probably give one a try but Verizon is the only game in our rural area, and even that doesn't work too well in some places.

The old technology works better.  Analog with an antenna, done.

Back in the late 90s I had to go to huge copper mines to hook up single mode data runs.  The company gave me an old Motorola Brick phone.  We laughed.. Then one day we needed to use the phone, I pulled out my Sprint phone. Dead.. No bars.  Turned on that old Brick, Full bars.  Clear call. LOL

C

why do I keep thinking "shaded pole"?

The local newspaper on Sunday had an article about the IP4, and said one "fix" by a user he has heard about involves putting a piece of electrical tape over a gap in a metal trim piece that apparently serves as the antenna.

Insulating this gap against direct touch minimizes the RF attenuation caused as the hand "connects" that bare trim to other parts of the phone.

" I don't see how that would make any difference at all. To me it would be less harmful on the top of the phones."

Brian,

You just don't understand.... ..   Thought, logic or the scientific method should never be used in a public forum. It just goes to show that you don't have the proper feelings.


klc

Joke. Laugh now.   ;D


I wonder how her cell phone works?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7yD-0pqZg

Both stocks closed at the bell on the positive side today.

AT&T Inc.
52 week low - $23.19

52 week high - $28.73

Verizon
52 week low - $24.76

52 week high - $31.90

AT&T - http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/T/analystestimates?CountryCode=US

Verizon - http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/vz/analystestimates

Life and times are always funnier in the corporate world. Been there for many years and with many stories.
Apple down at closing and still going down after hours.

w5hro,

What is a low microOhm triode?

I would just say "low mu triodes".

I'm a lefty but don't own and Iphone. Don't want one. No need for it. Being a lefty however sucks in a right hand world.  You right handers suck  ;D

Wow. Haven't seen the Consumer Reports, but their "not recommended" may have the effect of confirming all the internet chatter for people who were in the market for the IP4.

I was disappointed when Apple's initial response was to blame the way the phone displays signal strength, claiming the engineers applied an incorrect formula as to how many bars = how much signal. 

The approach completely ignored the actual problem owners noticed -- signal dropouts -- and tried to move the discussion away from the issue of a poor design causing a shorted antenna.

It's sort of how the ARRL treats confrontations when it has a bad scheme or policy. Don't really answer the questions from the greater amateur community, but instead respond with some other, marginally related issue and say there's great progress solving that problem.

ah-hehnh.

A good marketing person will always try to move the blame to someone or something else.  ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03LmETjo-LA

http://www.antennasys.com/antennasys-blog/2010/6/24/apple-iphone-4-antennas.html

Interesting comments on how the testing protocol and FCC requirements have conspired to create a design requirement that doesn't match up to the real world needs.

My friends put a Stip of duct tape up the side of the iphone and this fixes the problem. No joke.  No Dropped calls since the tape install. 

C

aluminum tape or fabric? haha a stripline for a stripline.

Regular Duct tape. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01m_MX1JaKU

The software app will just beep the signal goes low, so as to train you to move your hand. There is no software fix for an antenna that is covered by your hand.

C