cell phone boosters
- Thread starter neldalex
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Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
There are two types of cell amplifiers: one connects to the phone's antenna jack via a cable and the other is a repeater that re-broadcasts to the phone so that its own antenna can pick up the signal. Both types use an external antenna on the amplifier to improve signal reception. Neither type can help much if there simply is no signal in your area, e.g. you are behind a mountain or 75 miles from the nearest cell tower.
The type that connects to the phone via cable generally gets good reviews from users but you must have a phone that has an antenna jack. Many do not, but most Motorolas and many LG phones do have the jack.
The repeater type sounds like a great solution but in practice the range of the repeated signal is quite short. I've seen reports of a range of 6 feet or less, essentially the distance needed for inside a passenger car. There are a couple different power grades available - larger ones intended for buildings and smaller ones intended for cars. There is also a requirement to have substantial separation between the amplifiers external antenna and the "inside" antenna which re-broacasts to the phone. If they are too close together they will interfere with each other.
Before jumping into an expensive amplifier, try just an external antenna with your phone (if it has a jack). A good external omnidirectional antenna will usually add at least one bar on your signal strength indicator. A directional antenna (Yagi type) can add several bars under the right conditions.
The type that connects to the phone via cable generally gets good reviews from users but you must have a phone that has an antenna jack. Many do not, but most Motorolas and many LG phones do have the jack.
The repeater type sounds like a great solution but in practice the range of the repeated signal is quite short. I've seen reports of a range of 6 feet or less, essentially the distance needed for inside a passenger car. There are a couple different power grades available - larger ones intended for buildings and smaller ones intended for cars. There is also a requirement to have substantial separation between the amplifiers external antenna and the "inside" antenna which re-broacasts to the phone. If they are too close together they will interfere with each other.
Before jumping into an expensive amplifier, try just an external antenna with your phone (if it has a jack). A good external omnidirectional antenna will usually add at least one bar on your signal strength indicator. A directional antenna (Yagi type) can add several bars under the right conditions.
We have a Wilson booster (connects to phone with cable adapter) that works wonders. When we are down to one bar and dropping calls this brings our phones up to full stgrength and great reception.
As Gary mentioned there is a wireless model I was interested in but it is not as effective at increasing range.
As Gary mentioned there is a wireless model I was interested in but it is not as effective at increasing range.
Thank you all for answering. We did do some rsearch about the cost per minute for using satellite phones.The cost is approx $1 per minute, but also $59.00 per month for service. Don't know what to do. Cell amplifier is a little over half the cost--- maybe that's the best way to go.
We'll let you know
We'll let you know
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
neldalex said:
Where in western Wyoming you going to be?
Check the coverage map for your carrier before buying anything. I have T-Mobile and there are large areas of the west where there's no coverage unless you're on an interstate highway. I looked at the coverage maps at T-Mobile, Verizon, and Cingular, and they all seem to have enormous coverage gaps in the west. I didn't have a cell phone the last time I was on the Colorado plateau, but my experience while traveling in general is that coverage is usually good along interstates and in or near decent sized towns. In remote areas it's spotty, and in the mountains it's bad on a good day.
Also, as noted by others, no booster of any kind is going to help if you're on the other side of a mountain from the nearest cell tower.
Also, as noted by others, no booster of any kind is going to help if you're on the other side of a mountain from the nearest cell tower.
