Cordless phone base antenna needs replaced...

[gt24]

A friend of mine shows me a 900 Mhz cordless phone, with the antenna missing and a short cord sticking out where the antenna should be... it was a phone saved from the junkyard, since the phone works and the only problem appears to be the antenna...

Question, would a standard antenna (that would go into a HAM radio, perhaps) work on this phone? In fact, how can I repair/replace that antenna cheaply?

If you want pictures, I may be able to accomodate... just offer picture hosting and I should be able to get those photos...

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

 

[Diggrr]

If the wire that's sticking out is about 4", then that is the antenna, probably just missing the plastic jacket that you'd normally see.
If it's shorter than that, you can try soldering on a piece of 12 gage copper wire that's about 4" long.
A small telescoping antenna from radio shack would also work, just don't extend it all the way...you can try different lengths then to find what works best. Solder the wire's end in a loop to fit the screw at it's base.

Sorry I can't remember the exact length for 900Mhtz....most phones have 1/4 wave antennas (ie 1/4 the size of the wavelength) as do many cordless products these days.


One more thing, if it's not too old, try hanging up the phone, then flip the switch on the handset to off. Flip it back on, then pick it up, and press the talk button. On many models, this resets the security code between the base and the handset.

Ciao

 

[don256us]

Radio Shack is where I've bought replacement anttena. You know, the metal telescoping ones. I think there are generally less than $10.