Why does my flip phone seem to get better bars near the steering wheel?
Question by janflame: Why does my flip phone seem to get better bars near the steering wheel?
Is it something to do with the proximity of metals near it, or the orientation of where the phone is?
And have they figured that one out yet?
(And no, I'm not using the phone while I'm driving...when parked)
Best answer:
Answer by Civil
Passive antennas are used
all the time to help boost cell phone signals inside buildings and other places where the signal
would otherwise be poor. These passive antennas are specially designed to optimize the reception
of radio frequencies specific to cell phones. Remember, your phone is basically just a fancy radio
attached to a small computer.
However, metal structures in general can also act as
passive antennas, if they happen to be sized and shaped just right to absorb radio frequency
energy used by your cell phone.
It is not a coincidence that your reception is better near the steering wheel. The wheel has an
interior core made of metal, which in your case happens to be about the right size and shape
to gather and redirect the radio energy used by your phone. The wheel is helping to gather and
bounce
just enough additional radio signal to give you better reception inside the car.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Possibly the best post game rant by a coach ever. Coach Hal Mcrae of the Kansas City Royals goes nuts during a post game conference in 1993 after being asked a stupid question
Video Rating: 4 / 5
What features do you think mobile-phone users would expect to see in their phones in the near future?
What features do you think mobile-phone users would expect to see in their phones in the near future? That, what feasible traits do you expect should be available on our mobile-phones in the coming future? In your opinion, what do you think the needs of cell-phone users are?
