Problem: External Antenna Connector

[Guest itb44]

What luck have others had before, during and after using an external antenna adapter plugged into the back of the Omnia i910 (or i900)?

I bought an external antenna adapter cable (verified correct part number from a reputable source) to get a better cellular data signal in one remote poor coverage area. I'm afraid that the adapter may have damaged the Omnia's switching antenna connector, which must mechanically disconnect the internal antenna when the adapter is plugged into the antenna port. The issue is that the internal antenna does not seem to be properly reconnecting once the adapter is removed. I wonder if others have the same issue, even if it's gone undiagnosed.

I noticed that the adapter seems tight enough (almost too tight, at least at first), but does not have any sort of positive click or feel when engaged. Is that the way it's supposed to feel?

I'm referring to the external antenna connector under the battery cover and lower square sticker. The phone had great reception (cell, data and GPS) in most areas before I ever connected the external adapter, but after using and removing the adapter cable the first time, cell and data reception became much worse (from 4 bars down to 0 bars at my home) and GPS became completely unusable. That is, now it has extremely poor cell and data signals and no usable GPS signal at all unless I re-connect the adapter cable and external antenna, even in previously excellent coverage areas.

The cable works well for connecting the external antenna, but the internal antenna has not worked properly ever since using the adapter the first time. Thus, the external antenna is now a requirement even where it should not be needed. Although the phone sometimes still works without the external antenna, the signal shows as 0 bars in places where it used to be 3-4 bars, and GPS doesn't work at all.

The antenna connector is probably designed to disconnect the internal antenna when an external adapter is connected, but should reconnect the internal antenna when the adapter is removed from the switching connector. I might not even have noticed if not for the complete loss of GPS. At this point, I have no idea whether the adapter cable is poorly designed, whether I just got one with bad tolerances, or whether the Omnia's connector might just be too weak to be used. Any/all ideas appreciated.

Edited August 19, 2009 by itb44

[Guest kdkinc]

I was thinking of doing just what you did, SORRY for your troubles.

Did you buy the insurance??

If you got the insurance drive over the phone that would explain the missing sticker that covers the antenna socket.

I really believe your correct in that the antenna socket is damaged. Try looking at it ( battery removed )

with a magnifying glass and a small probe ( paper clip).

I know I didn't help but I have learned from your experience.

Good Luck

[Guest itb44]

I did buy the insurance, but won't need it in this case. Samsung is willing to repair it free of charge -- the only downside is that I have to ship it to them and will be without it for about 10 days. I'm also not ready to ship it back until I've tried out any other adapter cables that might be available. I'd really like to be able to use my external antenna in the future without having to worry about damaging the connector again. I'm in contact with the adapter cable seller, but they say they haven't received any other complaints. I'm not sure what to do right now, especially since it's looking like this might be the only adapter cable currently being made for the Omnia (although sold by several different sellers).

[Guest dwallersv]

Totally unhelpful, curious question: Does it come with a replacement back that has a hole in the proper place?

[Guest itb44]

Totally unhelpful, curious question: Does it come with a replacement back that has a hole in the proper place?

No such luck. Measure carefully and drill it (or just do without the cover when using external antenna). Replacement covers are available on eBay.

[Guest natedawg1013]

Where did you get your antenna cable. I got mine for my i910 at http://www.wpsantennas.com/ and have not had a problem yet. It may be that a part in the cable was the wrong size, possibly pushing the manual antenna switch further than it was designed to go, breaking it. Also, what kind of antenna are you using. I just tried it with a cantenna, and a homemade cantenna to see if it would work.(it didn't)

[Guest itb44]

Where did you get your antenna cable. I got mine for my i910 at http://www.wpsantennas.com/ and have not had a problem yet. It may be that a part in the cable was the wrong size, possibly pushing the manual antenna switch further than it was designed to go, breaking it. Also, what kind of antenna are you using. I just tried it with a cantenna, and a homemade cantenna to see if it would work.(it didn't)

I got my external antenna adapter cable http://www.wpsantennas.com/359921-antenna-adapter from wpsantennas too (Wilson Cellular referred me to them). My internal antenna stopped working the very first time I used the adapter, and I had removed the cover sticker just moments earlier. They added a warning to their site and offered me my money back, but honestly I don't care about that and just want to solve the problem.

I used it with a Wilson 301111 850 MHz 13 dBi directional Yagi that first day, and had been using it with a more portable dual-band (dual-disk) RadioShack 17-345 antenna after that (only because internal stopped working). I love both of those antennas (obviously for different situations), and have previously used them both with other phones and aircards. As expected, they worked just as well with the Omnia. The dual-disk antenna actually surprised me when used with the Omnia, in that the GPS reception was unexpectedly good (something I'd never tested with the aircards). Unfortunately, I think RadioShack discontinued it, but it looks like the ARC-FR0803R30 might be internally similar.

I finally mailed the Omnia in for repair yesterday. Although Samsung offered free shipping within the US, I had to pay anyway since I'm currently out of country. I probably won't have the Omnia back in my own hands until later next month. Before I sent it in, I checked my connector with a magnifying glass, but couldn't see well enough to figure anything out. Although I considered springing for a microscope, I guess I chickened out.

I searched and found some specs for the phone's connector at Omnia Specs, but they only gave external dimensions for the connector (3.0mm diam x 3.9mm length x 3.0mm width x 2.2mm height, IIRC) -- nothing for the center bore, much less the switch height. The connector at the end of my 359921 adapter cable is obviously much longer than 2.2mm (say 4-5mm), but I don't think that matters since the outer conductor should bottom out on the phone's connector while the inner conductor depresses the switch the proper amount -- at least that's the picture I've formed in my mind about it.

If your adapter cable hasn't damaged your connector switch, I'd be very curious to know if there's any difference between our adapter cables. The center conductor pin on my cable looks to be recessed approximately 0.5mm relative to the edge of the outer conductor. I'll try to stop at a jeweler or machine shop to get a more accurate measurement. Any chance that you could measure yours for comparison?

Edited August 27, 2009 by itb44