Improving Cellular Reception

Wilson Mobile Professional Cellular amplifier

One of the more popular ways to improve cellular signal is the use of a cellular repeater type system. Basically this type of  system has an outside and inside antenna connected to an amplifier. The signal is captured by  the outside antenna, amplified by the amplifier, then rebroadcasts via the inside antenna.

Current repeater type systems are rather large and bulky and not easily carried from place to place. Wilson Electronics developed  the Mobile Professional to provide an amplifier system that can be easily carried from place to place and doesn’t need a lot of separation between the inside and outside antenna. The Mobile Professional is easily carried in your suitcase, backpack or briefcase. It only has .4watts of power so it doesn’t replace their 3 watt wireless mobile amplifier in the performance arena but, it is much easier to lug around.

The Mobile Professional comes with an outside antenna and, to save on size, the inside antenna is built into the amplifier.

The Mobile Professional has several different power options including cigarette lighter plug, AC wall outlet plug and USB charging cable so you can charge from your laptop while on the go. It also comes with a handy carry case and window mount.

DirectConnect Cellular Amplifier

Improving the cellular signal to a cellular data card can increase transmission speeds. If you just need a little help, attaching an external antenna to the data card’s RF port is usually enough. In areas where the signal is very weak, adding a directconnect or repeater type amplifier will usually do the job.

Amplifier Warning

Be aware that most data cards have amplifiers built into them (usually 1 or 2 watts). Many times adding another amplifier will not improve performance. In fact, if you’re in an area where the signal is not so bad, adding a directconnect or repeater amplifier may actually degrade the performance of data transmission. In these situations, using just an external antenna directly connected to the data card is best.

More Info on Mobile Internet Signal Improvement

In Building Bi-Directional Cellular Amplifier

Bi-directional cellular amplifiers (such as those used in vehicles and buildings) can adversely affect your service providers network. This can occur when the inside and outside antennas are too close together and signal oscillation occurs. Other users in the area can be knocked off their phone calls. This does not make cellular service providers happy.

Bi-directional amplifier manufacturers know this can occur so they usually build in some type of warning system such as having lights go on or off or change color. The drawback to this solution is that if no one is looking at the amplifier, (which is usually hidden away under a car seat, closet or attic)  the warning light(s) are not noticed.

Wilson Electronics came out with a better solution they call SmartTechnology. Their SmartTechnology controls the power of the amplifier to a service providers tower and makes sure it is within the carrier’s specifications. If too much power exists so that oscilliation occurs, their bi-directional amplifiers will shut down. Their SmartTechnology amplifiers will also reset automatically when the condition no longer exists.

More info on Wilson InBuilding Bi-directional Cellular Amplifiers

Wilson's new iBooster for iPhone, iPhone 3G, BlackBerry Curve

At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Wilson Electronics announced the launch of their new Wilson iBooster™ plug and play cellular booster kit for 2G and 3G iPhones. They expect them to be available the spring of this year. A version will be available for iPhones and BlackBerry Curves.

The device will be a custom holder and amplifier. The kit will include the holder, external antenna with cable and cigarette lighter adapter.

The devices are expected out Spring 2009. More information will be coming soon.