6061 Aluminum iPhone Case: Reception Issues

[bibbler]

Hello members,

I would like to know you guy's thoughts and inputs on whether or not there are is a way to minimize or negate the Aluminum's "Faraday's Cage" effect on the radio frequency and reception of the iPhone's antenna band which is integrated into the phone's metal band. Supposedly there are 4 receivers on the band (etched lines), 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom sides of the band. Is the signal loss due to the conductivity of the aluminum? Would the signal degradation be reduced if the case wasn't directly touching the 4 antenna receivers rather than it being in direct contact? Would providing some sort of polycarbonate cushioning between the phone and the aluminum minimize signal loss? How about EMI/RFI shielding coating, PVD coating, IVD, or Parylene coating? Any thoughts and ideas would be appreciated.

Thank you

 

[dgallup]

How about a rubber (or other non-conductive material) case. Why use aluminum?

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The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn't included in this version of Windows.

 

[EdStainless]

My Al case has two features:
1. there is a non-conductive coating between the case and the phone
2. there is a non conductive 'break' in the case. A small plastic block so that it isn't a full loop

Mine has taken some serious falls with no damage to the phone. I like metal cases if the phone floats in them.

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Plymouth Tube

 

[bibbler]

Because aluminum looks and feels so much nicer

Hey @EdStainless, what aluminum case do you currently use? Do you experience any reception loss at all? For the non-conductive coating between the case and the phone, are you referring to the non-conductive anodized coat? Where is that small plastic block located on the case?