While I don't know if this technically qualifies as an antenna, here are photos of the "plug" for the 8500 phone, which fits pretty nicely in the I300. As you can see, there's just a tiny gap where it's a bit too tall. Nothing that a few minutes on a grinder couldn't resolve.

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Here's another look

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i tried those blinky antennas on my 8500 and it seemed to affect reception noticably. maybe i can dig it up and try it on the i300. i seem to get better reception with my i300 than with my 8500....

-paul

dtoombs, good looking phone!

Man, I was going to pick one up, but I didn't. I am going to though.

The blinking antennas won't work with Sprint service. I had one for my startac and it never worked.

That's me......always offering the assist!

NY

Interesting thread... I bent the antenna while wearing the phone in the side-mounted belt case. Have not been able to purchase a relacement through Sprint... Was going to see if anyone knows a source... Maybe I'll just get rid of it alltogether!! Thanks guys...

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I love my wife and my I300...don't make me choose.

I purchased the 8500 plug pictured above (review this thread to find the manufacturer's url). Best $5 I ever spent! No noticable decrease in reception and my phone looks much cooler now!

I purchased the 1/4 hole plug at Home Depot - it fits perfect, completely flush with the top of the phone and it doesn't affect the calls at all (as noted above, the antenna is not necessary on digital calls within the Sprint network). Thanks for the tip!

Pancho,

Can you tell us exactly what you got at Home Depot? Where would we find it (what department)?

Thanks!

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I thought grafitti was illegal?

csherman

Go to the fastener section - screws, etc. I had to ask someone for the hole plugs. They have some pull out drawers\bins and on the outside it is marked "hole plugs" . They are zinc and inside the bin they are separated into different sizes. The 1/4" size fits perfectly. They are inside small plastic bags - one to a bag. I opened it up to make sure it fits. It has prongs on the bottom which squeeze together when you push it in the antenna hole. It comes off easily and doesn't damage the hole.

How much did you pay? I'm at Home Depot all the time getting supplies for my place but just ordered the 4.99 plug from the web.

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H2Orange media

The hole plug cost about $1.00. The idea came from the post on page one of this thread.

Visit www.samsungusa.com, navigate to the I300 homepage, click on the "buy accessories" button and there you will see a replacement antenna for the I300 for sale. However, after being frustrated with the reception on my minstrel-s wireless modem, I learned that the Samsung 3500 antenna was not only compatible with the modem, but improved reception. I stopped by a couple of SprintPCS stores until I found one that had some spare antennas in the back and they gave me one for free (neglected to mention what I was going to use it for). Since the 3500 antenna fits the I300, you may wish to try to do the same.

The Samsung Antenna for the 300, 8500 and 3500 are the same item. So, if you are thinking of replacing your I300 antenna, don't bother trying OEM antennas from the 3500 and 8500.

But, if you do find alternative antennas (like the "Plug" for the 8500), you can use them! I bought the "Plug" from the link posted earlier in this thread and it works well and looks even better!

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The Samsung Antenna for the 300, 8500 and 3500 are the same item. So, if you are thinking of replacing your I300 antenna, don't bother trying OEM antennas from the 3500 and 8500.
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You lost me on that statement... If I can't get and I300 antenna, and the others are the identical, why not buy one?

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I love my wife and my I300...don't make me choose.

My point was that there isn't any difference in them (except maybe the color), so those who are looking for a different type of antenna would not get something new by buying the other models.

Of course if the I300 antenna is not available and yu are trying to replace the item, you could buy any of them and they would work.

I was walking in the mall once and came upon a vender in one of those little carts that sold flashing LED antennas.

Sort of like these ones.
http://www.westsidecellular.com/stor...g_antenna.html

Sorry for the plug, but I'm in no way trying to advertise the site...just did a quick search on google and that's what came up.

Anyway I thought they looked cool and told the guy I liked it, but didn't think my antenna came off...and then he unscrewed it off much to my surprise. He screwed in a small metal adapter (threads on both sides) and then screwed in the flashing LED antenna (female receptical). Anyway if you can just get that adaptor, it'll cover up the big antenna hole...but the flashing LED totally makes up for having a stubby antenna.

Maybe I'll see if I can get pictures of it later...with my PalmPix camera...on my Palm IIIxe.

BTW...one last note and I'll stop editting this message...but when I was at the mall...the guy told me the antenna wouldn't work with Sprint PCS service, but I said I liked it anyway. I asked him to try it anyway and none of the bars went away. I even called my brother who was right beside me to make sure it would work. Still use it to this day and no major complaints. It'll flash occassionally even if you aren't getting a call, but I think it's just updates from the tower for your clock. The guy even threw in a free Antenna booster. If you go to the mall and buy one of these...ask them if they'll throw one of them in for free since everyone claims that it degrades the signal.

Don

hahahaaa..... are you using the booster??? what did he tell yuo about the booster? did you see your signsal increase??

in regards to the flashing led...

i think thats a cheesy gimmick that should not be on a elegant 500 dollar phone such as the i300... brings the "property value down".. :p

I got the antenna booster for free, but my signal was strong even without it, and seems to be stronger than my friends most of the time. My brother's phone (nextel) wasn't getting a signal and when he put it on, he got a better signal...so I suppose it works...but I can't say from experience.
It's all personal preference. I actually think it adds an element of pizazz...and not really in a gaudy way. I like it a lot in dark places, because then it's really easy to see when you are getting a call...nothing more than an oversized RED blinking LED already on the phone

i was being coy.. those antenna boosters sticky tape thingys do not work at alll....... just FYI incase you thought they did... :p

Is it difficult for you to locate your ringing I300 in the dark?

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