Hey earthman, I'll start.

I have a Nokia 252 with Tracfone. It is kind of a crappy little thing. We live in the boonies. I was wondering if the antenna boosters that i see advertised (like here http://www.antennabooster.net/) actually do anything??

Plus, do you think that we would see any benefit to upgrading our phone, as my wife has it mainly for security and seldom uses it??

Those "boosters" would do little if anything.

many of the newer designed phones have those integrated "fractal" antenna's that really boost the reception. they are both highly selective and sensitive and require no attenuation.

I would get a better phone. Also, get a good cell phone antaenna and 3 watt booster installed on the car's roof so you can boot the broadcasting power while driving.

http://cellantenna.com/Boosters/3_watt_cel...one_booster.htm

passive antenna's that are not an integral part of your phone's initial design are not highly affective (except to make the producer of that good monitarily wealthier)

if you get one of those "as seen on tv" boosters, let us know if it is any good. from what I have learned from school and my Electronic Engineering/Designer friends, those things do not work.

I did, however purchase a "clear talk" something or other antenna from Cellular One (my service provider) for my POS Nokia 3360.

$20 USD

What a friggin difference!!! I was skeptical at first, but it actually improves the signal. Now instead of just one "bar" I have 3.

In all honestly, those antenna boosers don't do anything for your phone.. except in rare cases... The only thing that would truely boost the power of your phone would be a full 3 watt booster kit... But if you are in the boonies.. then the analog 252 would be better than most..

One other suggestion, if you can get your hands on either a Motorola 650 or even a 3 watt bagphone... then you should be able to get service anywhere there is a signal to be had... *Just a warning.. the Motorola 650 tends to be a larger phone, as does the bagphone.*

Thanks for this info guys. I will look over your suggestions and see what will work.

Also earthman, being on the prepaid wireless (tracfone) does kind of limit the selection of phones.

i had one and every time a plane would fly over id pick up what they where talking about if i was angaled just right and etc heh, and ive got voice stream and i took thing off because it didnt do jack for me

But with analog phones, you can use them on any carrier, it's just a matter of programming the phone to accept the correct scan... And for sure.. I bet they'd let you use a bag phone, just to keep you as a customer.

Cool, i will look into it for sure.