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Good Find. Digital also makes amps. This is the first one to offer a wireless connection for Nextel. As I recall the minimum distance for the 2 antennas (wireless units) was a problem on small boats for the Digital units. Here is a little more info.:http://www.shakespeare-marine.com/el...es/ca-819.html
From the Digital website (referring to the wireless unit):* Requires a minimum separation distance of 5’ (model DA4KMR-10A), or up to 20’ (model DA4KMR-30U), and a wall/roof/bulkhead structure between inside and outside antennas (also see model DA4000, which requires no antenna separation).DA4000 is a "wired" unit
i was talking to a sprint saleman and he said they are going to change the bands on nextel phones in the future and have all new phones. maybe the salesman was bsing or didn't know what he was talking about. before buying one for your nextel you might check to be sure this will work with the new phones. bode
__________________ It's a great day to be alive...
Bode - I think that info is correct. I remember some discussion about the FCC giving Nextel a new portion of the spectrum b/c their current frequencies interfere with some emergency channels.
Nextel will retain their existing network (spectrum) at least until 2008.
That's too bad, I suffered with them for 3 years and just switched to Cingular, couldn't be happier. I travel all over FL and dropped an average of 5-6 calls a day with Suxtel. Haven't dropped one yet with Cingular in two weeks.
I agree Nextel sucks! They used to be great but I think they have now to many people on their towers. My contract is up in June and I will be running to a new carrier.
The Push to Talk feature (especially Nationwide) is the greatest thing ever .............................. if it only worked. Actually it works perfectly 75% of the time. The other 25% makes me want to ......... use my other (Cingular) phone.
I have a Digital amp (DA4000 which is the wired version) and one of their 4' antennas (563CW). The digital rep at the Miami boat show said the range was exactly the same as with their 8' antenna. The extra height is purely cosmetic - the elements are in the lower portion of the 8' antenna.
Put it in about a month ago and so far have seen about a 30 mile range with an Alltel phone which will roam on anyone's compatible network.* This is a CDMA tri-band phone. Much more than without but not 50 miles.
I have a Shakespeare 5227-R 8' 6 db gain antenna on my Center Console. I use a Motorola bag phone. I get over 50 miles offshore and still have over half my signal strength. I don't usa an amp or anything special at all. If your not getting good range you better check your connectors. Thats where my problem was.
__________________ John McGinty
Hydra Sports 26
O-SEA-D
I have the old hard wired amp and the 4 foot antenna too. Mine improves service by a grand total of about 3 miles off shore. The only reason I keep it is to make the antennas on both side of the boat look about the same. The thing isn't worth the box it came in as far as I'm concerned.
Just remember guys that the amp is only for outgoing calls. It has nothing to do with how many bars you get on the phone. It boosts the transmision from .6 watts to 3 watts. The higher you get the antenna is what will improve the bars.
I just installed a digital 16' antenna with the amp that tops out at 27' above the water. I think it is a 9 db gain. I only used it on the way back from NC when I brought the boat home and had a good signal 20mi offshore. When I start to go offshore in a few weeks I will let you know how far I get with it.
I use a Powertec booster that's made in Australia. They have all sorts of models (car, house, office block etc.) I use the car one on my boat (GSM version) and get 20 mile range on it with ease. I use the standard antenna it comes with so it tends to corrode (but cheap to replace). I was so impressed by it I started to import them to West Africa a few years ago. Sold ok, mainly oil companies. But price was a bit high for a third world country. I don't import them anymore but still use one on my boat. Their sales pitch makes sense when you think of the distances in Australia. For you guys in the States that use CDMA they claim 50 miles and I believe that would be the case if installed properly. Do a google search and check 'em out.
BTW, I have nothing to do with the company at all. Just a recommendation.
i was all set to open the wallet for the digital 4000 nextel amp, but comments like those above turned me off...
also, to do it right, in addition to the amp, you need a dash mount receptacle, the adapter from the phone to the dash, and quite obviously the antenna & mount. a lot of $$ for 30 miles of range
i think it would be better applied to a camp (like mine) where there's a tower juuuust out of range
New Cell Phone Amplifier 
