Subject: I think you'll be fine without it unless you're in a rural area Author: pd750 : member since January, 2004 : 555 posts Posted on: 2008-11-14 13:56:00

I've tried my CPT8000 and BT phones with and without the compensator, and have not noticed a drop in reception. My understanding is that the compensator improves reception in fringe areas.

I think the cell phone systems are designed to automatically step down the power of phones when more power isn't needed. Meaning, your phone will only use 0.6W (?) of power if its reception is fine, and can go higher if needed. The compensator (at least when with the CPT8000) was supposed to boost the signal to the max of 3W when needed.

If your mom has good reception with the phone normally, I'd just connect the two antenna wires. In other words, if her phone is working at 0.6W with great reception, then the compensator may never be needed to get to 3W.

(I may have my numbers wrong above but I think the concept is generally correct.)

The downsides of the compensator are (1) finding one (it took me a while to get one a few years ago), (2) paying a reasonable price for it, and (3) finding the mounting bracket (the toughest part). I've installed compensators in E38s and E39s with BT (different brackets, same compensator) and while I'm sure you can install it without a bracket, it sure looks better and is more secure. The E39 specifically has a bracket that places the compensator almost under the parcel shelf. The E38 location is much easier to get to and could probably be installed more securely than an E39 if you don't have the bracket.

I do find it odd, though, that her reception drops off completely, since at least the wire to the trunk should serve as some sort of antenna, no? My Motorolas never lost their reception when the compensator was absent, but maybe Sony Ericssons are different.

-pd.

• Is an Antenna Compenator necessary? - Brian 2008-11-14 12:22:56 (75 views)
  • TradeOffs are simple - kiwijochen 2008-11-27 11:47:13 (41 views)
  • I think you'll be fine without it unless you're in a rural area - pd750 2008-11-14 13:56:00 (58 views)
    • Thanks. We hooked it up this morning w/o the compensator; it worked like a charm (nt) - Brian 2008-11-15 13:12:17 (56 views)