Testing the antenna issue with a voltmeter. Puzzling results...
I did a few tests to try to pinpoint the problem. We already know that it is the black line on the bottom left that is the problem area. I used a quarter for my first test. I layed my phone on its side with the left side (problem area) up. When laying the quarter over the line I lose signal fast. This we already know. I wanted to test to see if it is making the connection that is the problem. I moved the quarter so that it was right up to the black line without touching it (above the line). No loss of signal. I then barely moved the quarter so that it is over the black line but not touching the other side. This was to see if covering the black line is the issue. Still no loss of signal. I then barely moved it down a little more so that it is just barely crossing over the line. Loss of signal, down to no bars.
At this point I am thinking that making that connection is the problem. I then get my voltmeter. Here is what is strange. I did a continuity test and no matter where I touched each end on the sides it beeped letting me know it is making a loop. I could touch the top and bottom, each side, left side and top, etc. Any two places on the staneless steel regardless of the black lines. If the black lines are there to seperate the antennas then why is the entire thing connected to itself? If it is already connected, why does connecting it at the black line have an effect? I would understand if each piece was truly seperated. This makes no sense to me.
I then took speaker wire and put each end on opposite sides of the black line. When I placed the wire far apart, it had no effect. When I placed each wire on each side of the line within an inch or so of each other it caused a loss in signal. I had thought that maybe the quarter had caused an issue since it blocked the entire area where the black line is. When taking one end of the speaker wire and stretching it over the black line I lose signal. The area is not completely blocked. This tells me that it is the connection for sure. I'm just puzzled that my voltmeter reads the entire steel antenna as being connected. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
At this point I am thinking that making that connection is the problem. I then get my voltmeter. Here is what is strange. I did a continuity test and no matter where I touched each end on the sides it beeped letting me know it is making a loop. I could touch the top and bottom, each side, left side and top, etc. Any two places on the staneless steel regardless of the black lines. If the black lines are there to seperate the antennas then why is the entire thing connected to itself? If it is already connected, why does connecting it at the black line have an effect? I would understand if each piece was truly seperated. This makes no sense to me.
I then took speaker wire and put each end on opposite sides of the black line. When I placed the wire far apart, it had no effect. When I placed each wire on each side of the line within an inch or so of each other it caused a loss in signal. I had thought that maybe the quarter had caused an issue since it blocked the entire area where the black line is. When taking one end of the speaker wire and stretching it over the black line I lose signal. The area is not completely blocked. This tells me that it is the connection for sure. I'm just puzzled that my voltmeter reads the entire steel antenna as being connected. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
iPhone 4, iOS 4
