loss of signal

gjchester

forgotmyname wrote: »

If a transmitter becomes overloaded does the signal strength drop? Do they drop calls when the transmitter is busy?

The transmitter near now gives a much weaker signal than it used to. There are several large companies around the transmitter and they had had a major recruitment drive over the past couple of years.
Its 2 or 3 times the original size. I was wondering if the extra number of handsets in such a small area could weak my signal?

Thats the only explanation i can think of for my reduced signal strength.

Not really, a base station can support xxx calls, when call xxx+1 tried to connect it will get a busy signal and not be able to connect until there is capacity.


You may see in coming calls missed, where the base station was too busy to allow connection to the end handset, but you should not see drops in calls. Think like midnight on new years eve when everyone tries to call friends.


That number is usually in the multi thousands though.




However remember its a radio network. If the signal is relatively low, and you move to make it lower it may disconnect, and if there are a lot of businesses around there may be an increase in electronic noise, or new buildings that reflect radio waves so changing the amount of signal in any given area.

matelodave

Signal strength can be affected by lots of things. Atmospheric conditions, new buildings, cranes and even trains passing. Interference from other equipment (which may be between you and the base station) can also be a factor

Where you are in your house or even where your house is in relation to others can make a big difference. Thick walls or even the bloke next door (or a few doors away) parking a caravan. motorhome or lorry can all affect your signal by screening it or reflecting it.

The supplier has no control over where you use your phone or where and what people build, install or even tear down between you and the base station. Sometimes if your closest base station is at capacity then you might be getting service from another one which is further away and which may be subject to more interference than the local one.

Radio propagation is a black art and not totally predictable and just moving a couple of feet away can either improve or decrease you signal strength. Mine (Three) for instance is fine at the back of the house but decidedly iffy in the front lounge. My wife is on Vodaphone and it's perfect all round the house. My mate can only use his mobile in his greenhouse where he lives but it's fine 100 yards down the road

As said above a lot can depend on your service provider. Vodaphone & 02 use lower frequencies than EE or Orange and Three is even higher. Lower frequencies go further and penetrate walls better but if you are in a "not-spot" there's not much you can do.