Sharks Fin wiring & Mobile Phone: Q's & A's

[perl]

I am in the process of designing the install for my mobile phone and did a little intelligence gathering today to determine the best way to go. My goal is to use the sharks fin as the mobile antenna, probably with an RF amplifier. As a background to this discussion, see the original thread

Here are my particulars (your situation will certainly vary).

USA 2003 MCS
Sat/Van
H/K Radio
No mobile phone "prep" was ordered, and presumably none was installed.
Motorola T730 Phone
CDMA 850nHz band
Motorola hands-free kit

I started by checking the antenna connector under the right rear side window. (photo 1). As you can see there are what appear to be two coaxial (presumably for RF) connectors. One larger than the other and both black.

Then I checked the right rear pillar and found that two coax cables came down from the roof (photo 2). One shiny black, the other a dark grey.

Next stop, the rear center roof where I pulled down a small hatch cover (photo 3). Inside I found that the black wire was connected to the blue Sharks Fin blue connector and the dark-grey wire just continues past. There is also an odd little unused 4 pin connector stuffed up in the roof??

My conclusions:

*) The dark grey coax normally stops at the antenna mounting point, but with a sat-nav installation it is extended to the antenna block by the right rear window.

*) The purple connector at the Sharks Fin is for mobile service in the 810-to-960mHz band (USA cellular and GSM low band). If I can run a coax from my handset holder to the unused purple connector I should be in business.

However, I have one problem the purple connector seems to be non-standard. The connector on the handset holder is a simple threaded mini-connector. So, I need a cable or adapter to connect to the Sharks Fin.

Has anyone done this? Help is much appreciated at this point.

perl

[mikeythemini]

I have got the adaptors for the purple connector. (bmw cel adaptor) will dig one out monday
mike

[monsta]

Mike, is that an adaptor for the purple connection to a normal cellphone antenna connection (screw on)??

If so, put me down for one as well!

[mikeythemini]

certainly is Monsta, will post a pic tomoro

[perl]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

I have got the adaptors for the purple connector. (bmw cel adaptor) will dig one out monday
mike

The question remains... Has anyone actually used the Sharks Fin for mobile phone use? And, if so, on what systems?

I also wonder about "gain," though I assume it is a unity gain antenna (I.e. no gain over a simple dipole). Even without any gain, it would sertainly be better than the handheld's antenna inside the car. It would also be nice if someone technically equiped could measure the SWR of the Sharks Fin at the US Cellular and European frequencies.

Which raises another question, has anyone tried using a 3 watt amplifier, like this one for example.

perl

[monsta]

Mike, can you post prices and details on how to order as well?

Cheers

[chiph]

Quote: Originally Posted by Perl

There is also an odd little unused 4 pin connector stuffed up in the roof??

That's for the interior sensor for the alarm system. It clips in to the little "dog house" on the roof card. The wire then runs down to the left C-pillar where the tilt sensor would be mounted.

Chip H.

[mikeythemini]

Ok here is the aerial adaptor for cel phones
It ends in an FME connector as fitted to Nokia car kits & by now most of the other makes but some still use older type plugs
The only problem is it was designed for BMW's where the lead behind the dash and is only 10cm long. Therefore you will need an extension.
I have FME extensions available
The adaptor is £14.10
Extension £14.10
P&P uk £5
Monsta you can e mail your order to newministuff@aol.com
(split in 2 for security)
or phone me 01704 878528
of fax 01704 878529
office hours
need card number, expiry, security code
Mike
trying to post a pic but it keeps saying mini2 not responding

[mikeythemini]

pic

[monsta]

The length isn't a problem as I already have/had a glass mount GSM aerial and so my cable is already up there

Email on the way...

[mikeythemini]

Nice one

[mikeythemini]

No e mail Monsta?

[dogzdinner]

So has anyone proved this works yet?

Cheers.

Tom...

[monsta]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

No e mail Monsta?

Strange.... they're in my sent items. I'll try sending through a different account...

[mikeythemini]

Did you send through Mini2?
Just asking because I don't get thread or PM notifications from Mini2 belive its a AOL thing