Increse Cell Phone Reception...

[bob4432]

friend has a new home where he doesn't get cell phone service inside but gets 2-3 bars outside. we were thinking of putting a antenna on one of the peaks of the roof but wasn't sure how well that would work. also, since he will be using it for his data card and cell phone, has anybody used the cell phone signal repeaters - it has an external antenna and then a small inside antenna to bring the signal into the indoor locations.

any other options? also, anybody know how far you can run a cell phone antenna lead - 30', 100'?

thanks in advance

 

[zig3695]

if he has tmo then they have hotspot at home that would be perfect...

 

[corkyg]

I have used the ZBoost antenna/amplifier for about 6 months now. I have taken it on road trips in a portable mode. At home, I am on the fringe - spots in the house run from 1 to 5 bars. I positioned the antenna in a 5 bar spot and it has spread the 4-5 bar signal nicely. The antenna coax cable is 50 ft. (That's what it comes with.)

ZBoost

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: corkyg
I have used the ZBoost antenna/amplifier for about 6 months now. I have taken it on road trips in a portable mode. At home, I am on the fringe - spots in the house run from 1 to 5 bars. I positioned the antenna in a 5 bar spot and it has spread the 4-5 bar signal nicely. The antenna coax cable is 50 ft. (That's what it comes with.)

ZBoost

what type of range does that transmit?

 

[uli2000]

I would try just an external antenna (if his phone and card have external antenna jack, not all do anymore) before buying an expensive amp/repeater. Keep the coax as short as possible to prevent signal loss. If that doesnt work (or he doesnt have external antenna jacks on the phones), one of those repeaters should be fine. The consumer models say they cover 2500 sq feet, so unless he has a huge house, I would think that would suffice.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: uli2000
I would try just an external antenna (if his phone and card have external antenna jack, not all do anymore) before buying an expensive amp/repeater. Keep the coax as short as possible to prevent signal loss. If that doesnt work (or he doesnt have external antenna jacks on the phones), one of those repeaters should be fine. The consumer models say they cover 2500 sq feet, so unless he has a huge house, I would think that would suffice.

i will verify both his items have a external jack. unfortunately from where the antenna will be mounted and run into his area where he needs it, we are probably talking 30-50' length of cable - will that be a problem? also, does a splitter on that type of cable kill the signal?

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: bob4432

what type of range does that transmit?[/quote]

I am using it at about 150 feet at present. I covers the area of the house I need to be covered.

My purpose was more for my Merlin S720 connection card rather than my cell phone. That's where I really see the difference - getting EVDO Rev A now.

 

[zig3695]

hey that zboost seems awesome... kinda pricey but would be less of a pain then my wifi card is...

 

[hi tek]

all i know is those "sticker signal boosters" dont work, so dont bother if you havent tried already

 

[zig3695]

haha i think its a little sad you had to say that, hitek!

 

[bob4432]

thanks for the info, going for real items here