Remote Blackberry Use

[jh504]

I just bought my first Blackberry 8330 today. I bought it intending to keep all of my emergency medical information in and also to use as an internet connection while away from home.
I am a total newb to anything like this so I need to be schooled.

1st off, are there any good mapping and GPS programs out there? I have heard Trimble has some decent stuff.

2nd, how can I extend my range to the maximum capacity? Whats the best way to reach my signal out? External antennas? Amplifiers? Is any of it worth it?

I have been looking around but I figured there are some tested means right here on the site.

[climber-420]

get the google maps application. pretty sweet, and free.

[jh504]

Thanks, Ill check it out.

Anyone ever used something like this? https://www.maximumsignal.net/store/...age=1&featured
Says its pushing 700 watts @ 800mhz. Is this something that works?

[mountainpete]

Blackberries are very tough to boost properly as they don't have external antenna ports. With such, there are two option - patch antenna that you stick to the back of your Blackberry (sort of works, but is a "faking it" solution) or a wireless style like Wilson Electronics sells. I have lot of experience with Wilson and they are excellent products.

As far as power, 700 watts is not accurate. First you would need a massive antenna and second it's illegal. Without getting into details, 3 watts is the maximum most carriers will allow. If signals are seen over 3 watts most carriers will block the mobile device and it will trigger a network alarm.

Pete

[jh504]

Blackberries are very tough to boost properly as they don't have external antenna ports. With such, there are two option - patch antenna that you stick to the back of your Blackberry (sort of works, but is a "faking it" solution) or a wireless style like Wilson Electronics sells. I have lot of experience with Wilson and they are excellent products.

As far as power, 700 watts is not accurate. First you would need a massive antenna and second it's illegal. Without getting into details, 3 watts is the maximum most carriers will allow. If signals are seen over 3 watts most carriers will block the mobile device and it will trigger a network alarm.

Pete

Thanks for the advice. I was looking at a Wilson Electronics car kit. Can you expect to see pretty good signal gains with this type of setup? I would like to use the laptop in camp on east coast trips, and have the ability to call out if necessary.

[brained]

TrekBuddy - it's a great map program that works well on my 8830. Track recording, waypoint marking, track navigation, etc, etc.

Googleak can be used to create maps for it so you can have maps offline. Google Maps and such are fine but once you're out of cell range they can no longer download background maps. Also if I turn off the radio it kills the GPS so I have to leave the radio on - it chews thru the battery life since it's running the GPS and trying to find a cell tower to connect to.

I build my maps using Global Mapper to manage public topo and SRTM maps and use googleak to convert them to files ready for Trekbuddy.

I just finished a 330 mile trip out into the Oregon desert about a .5 hour ago and am discovering after about 6 hours the Blackberry just can't get a satellite lock anymore. I don't know if it overheats or what but this is about the third long trip where it's quit toward the end of the day.

[mountainpete]

Thanks for the advice. I was looking at a Wilson Electronics car kit. Can you expect to see pretty good signal gains with this type of setup? I would like to use the laptop in camp on east coast trips, and have the ability to call out if necessary.

Yes, they are pretty good but you have to be quite close to the Wilson antenna that mounts in your truck. 1 foot is ideal. So take that into consideration if you plan to use it with both a laptop and handheld phone.

Pete

[rambrush]

I am in no way affiliated with the vender but purchased quite a bit over time with them.
I would suggest calling Gordan there and talking to him as to your needs and wants. He has very fast service and his products work.
I use this antenna. https://www.maximumsignal.net/store/...1&cat=5&page=2

and this amp

https://www.maximumsignal.net/store/...5&cat=1&page=1

I connect in with a sprint mogul though and not a blackberry. I set up a wifi inside the cab and then the laptop logs into that network. there is a link here on site that talks about this subject as well.

Thanks, Ill check it out.

Anyone ever used something like this? https://www.maximumsignal.net/store/...age=1&featured
Says its pushing 700 watts @ 800mhz. Is this something that works?

[Fish]

I've also used equipment from Maximum Signal with great results. I travel to large fires across the west in the summer. I need to get data there if at all possible, so I use a direct connection amp from Maximum Signal with a yagi at time.

I'm very interested in how well the Wilson mounts work with Blackberries and/or iPhones... the lack of antenna port is the only thing keeping me from upgrading to a Blackberry Storm.

[jh504]

Thanks for the info folks. I will post back when I get something off the ground and running.

Fish-I take it that you work with wildland fire or the forest service? Anything that works in the areas you are in would be a good testament to its quality.