Originally Posted by tavenger5

It's really hard to say how an antenna will perform on any given phone, especially when connecting to different towers at varying frequencies. However, there is a limit to how much 'power' a phone can output since all phones have to pass through the FCC. All phones have different ways of using that power to be as efficient as possible. So, it is possible for a phone to be 'better' at picking up a signal in any given situation, but without a controlled environment it would be difficult to test which is better.

Thanks, guess I will just have to try different phones or buy an Iphone. The Iphone antenna circles the case. I have tried two trac phones and one straight talk phone with no luck. The straight talk phone was one of their smart phones. The Trac phone was also one of their later phones. I understand they may get lesser priority from the tower but wouldn't the signal strength be the same when it is their turn?

It's really hard to say how an antenna will perform on any given phone, especially when connecting to different towers at varying frequencies. However, there is a limit to how much 'power' a phone can output since all phones have to pass through the FCC. All phones have different ways of using that power to be as efficient as possible. So, it is possible for a phone to be 'better' at picking up a signal in any given situation, but without a controlled environment it would be difficult to test which is better.

Originally Posted by tavenger5

Sometimes it depends on the carrier and what towers are being connected to. Prepaid cell phone are given lower priority over contract phones in some cases, but the difference should only be seen when a tower has too many phones connected to it from what I understand.

It's hard to say what will work better in your situation since it all depends on location. However, Verizon uses different technology than AT&T (CDMA vs GSM), so they will behave differently.

I understand about priority versus contract or no contract, but what about ability of any given phone to pick
up the signal? Regardless source/service provider it was apparent the Iphone did a better job than either of my two phones
that I tried. One was the convoy 2 and the other was a new LG smartphone. Now, are there other phones as well, maybe a little less expensive than the Iphone, that have a difference capability in
antenna system. That is the question that seems to defy an answer.

Sometimes it depends on the carrier and what towers are being connected to. Prepaid cell phone are given lower priority over contract phones in some cases, but the difference should only be seen when a tower has too many phones connected to it from what I understand.

It's hard to say what will work better in your situation since it all depends on location. However, Verizon uses different technology than AT&T (CDMA vs GSM), so they will behave differently.

Come on now, help me out. I can't believe there are no answers to my questions from this froum. If that is indeed the case the Cell phone mfg and the tower providers have screwed us all by keeping everything a deep dark secret.

Do some no contract cell phones have better capability to pick up a week signal?
Verizon contract phone-I have to be near a window to get 1 bar. outside have 2 bars. Convoy 2 phone. My grandson's Iphone, Verizon, contract, at least 1 bar thru out the house..
My friend's Iphone, AT&t, also 1 bar thruout the house. I tried straight talk AT&T phone and a Straight Talk smart phone. Verizon and got to be near a window.

Want to up grade my convoy, stay with Verizon but want off their contract when able.

Have metal roof, but believe some phones would work with out investment in repeater if I can find them.

Do no contract phones have lesser capability for picking up a weak signal? Or is the frequency of the signal sent to a no contract phone different than the contract phone, hence a weaker signal?

Does a no contract phone from the carrier have a better capability than the same type phone from someone like straight talk or tradfone using that same carrier?

Does a contract phone versus a no contract phone make a difference in ability to pick up a weak signal?

Are some brand name phones better than others for picking up a weak signal?

Is a smart phone better at picking up a weak signal than a non smart phone?