July 4th, 2009
iPhone Signal Booster
New from Wilson Electronics is the iPhone iBooster. The iBooster iPhone signal booster consists of an iPhone cradle with built in amplifier, an outside cellular antenna and mounting brackets.
Features include:
- Built In Cellular Amplifier – Reduces dropped calls
- Extends iPhone signal range and improves data rate in weak signal areas
- Up to 20 TIMES more output power to cell site when in a vehicle
- Built-in battery charger
- Pass-thru iPhone connector for accessory access while in cradle
- Cradle accommodates most iPhone protective cases
- Installs in minutes – no special tools required
- Package includes everything needed — plug-and-play
- Attractive, compact design
More Wilson iPhone iBooster Information
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April 15th, 2009
Wilson SignalBoost DB Pro Cellular Amplifier System
Wilson Electronics is introducing a new dual band in building cellular amplifier called the Wilson SignalBoost DB Pro. This Wilson cellular amplifier has 62db gain on both 1900MHz and 800MHz frequencies and uses 75 ohm RG-6 cable that is commonly found in current home for use with Cable or Satellite TV.
At the same time, Wilson has added three 75 ohm antennas including a dual band building cellular antenna, panel cellular antenna and dome cellular antenna. New options in include an in wall installation kit for the panel antennas such as an “in the wall” panel installation kit and stud mount dome antenna kit.
More Wilson Dual Band Cellular Repeater Info
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April 8th, 2009
It seems to be getting harder and harder to find newer cell phones that have RF ports (a usable one anyway). Without the RF port, you will be unable to attach an external antenna to it.
A phone may have a usable port buy the port may be too weak to support an external antenna adapter. An adapter can’t be made to stay in the port or the port is too weak and may break if an adapter is plugged into it.
So what are our options?
Wilson SignalBoost Universal Cellular Amplifier
Basically, find another phone or use a universal amplifier that has enough gain to transmit an improved cellular signal through the phone’s case.
If you’re service provider doesn’t offer a phone with the features you like that has an RF port, you can try and find maybe a used or refurbished one. Just make sure it will work with your service provider before you make the purchase.
Univeral cellular amplifiers like the Wilson SignalBoost Universal work in a similiar fashion as using an external antenna adapter. The difference is that instead of plugging in the adapter to a phone’s RF port, the adapter attaches to the cell phone by use of a universal adapter and velcro tape. The amplifier must have enough gain to transmit the signal through the phone’s case so a directconnect type of amplifier will not have enough gain.
Another option using cellular repeaters. A basic setup is to have an outside antenna and inside antenna both connected to a cellular amplifier. The amount of coverage you will get from the inside antenna will depend on the signal strength outside and the gain of the amplifier.
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April 7th, 2009
Do Cell Phone Signal Boosters Work?
Recently, as I was reviewing commonly searched words and phrases having to do with cellular, I notice questions along these lines that kept popping up.
Do cell phone boosters really work?
Do cell phone amplifiers really work?
At first I said to myself, of course they do. Why would anyone be selling this stuff if it didn’t work?
Then that old circut board looking sticker came to mind. I’m sure others have seen them. They were sold as cell phone boosters. They are just a sticker that you were to place under the battery of your phone and it was supposed to boost your cell phone signal. I’m pretty sure billions of those were sold. Although I’ve never known anyone that used or tested them and found them to work, I have read testimonials written by who knows who that said they worked.
So, just to answer the questions (and not counting those sticker things), yes adding an external antenna directly to your cell phone will improve your signal. Adding a power booster will help even more. And, you can get very effective cellular repeater systems to improve the signal inside your home or or building.
More info on cell phone antennas
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March 29th, 2009
Antenna Adapter and Cell Phone RF Port
How do you know when you have a good connection between your cell phone external antenna adapter and your cell phone or cellular broadband card?
To test for a good connection, it’s best to put your phone into test mode. You should be able to tell by looking at the signal strength bars but reading the db gain in test mode is more accurate. For this test, you will be using the adapter by itself with no antenna connected to it.
The process is simple:
- Record Signal Reading before attaching antenna adapter
- Attach antenna adapter
- Record Signal Reading after attaching antenna adapter
Signal strength is measured in db (decibels) gain. A reading of -75db is much better than a reading of -100db.
If you’re getting a good connections, your signal should drop after attaching the adapter. This happens because the adapter disconnects the devices built-in antenna and uses the adapter as the antenna. For better results, you might try covering the adapter with your hand to keep it from acting like an antenna but that is usually not necessary.
WARNINGS
I have seen some devices that do not disengage the internal antenna when the adpater is attached and they work fine once an external antenna is connected. Avoid forcing the adapter in too far as you may damage your device or adapter. Be sure and wait a bit (a minute or so) to see a change in signal strength. Once you attach an external antenna to your adapter, the cellular signal should go back up and you should see an improvement in signal strength.
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March 15th, 2009
The amount of improved cellular signal you get inside the building will depend on the signal strength outside (where ever you mount the outside antenna). Typically an in building repeater system will work for you if you can make a cell phone call from where-ever you might put the outside antenna. If you can make a call from outside of your vehicle or from the roof of your house or building, the signal is probably strong enough for the system to help you.
In Building Cellular Amplifier Sytems
A basic cellular repeater building amplifier system consists of an outside antenna to collect the signal from the cell tower, a cellular amplifier to boost the signal and an inside antenna to broadcast the improved signal inside the building. A basic system is easy to install with running cable being the hardest part.
You can put most phones into test mode and get a received signal strength reading. This is a number usually between -60db and over -100db. The closer to 50db, the better the signal. To make a reliable phone call you usually need a signal under -100db. A signal in the -70db range will give pretty good coverage inside the building depending on the system.
More Info on In Building Cellular Amplifier Systems.
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March 5th, 2009
Advance Communicator Desktop HandsFree / Speaker Phone / Cradle
One way to improve your cellular reception is to use a desktop station or vehicle hands free device that has a built in external antenna port. One such device is the AdvanceCommunicator from AdvanceTec.
The AdvanceCommunicator™ from AdvanceTec is designed to convert your cell phone into a convenient stand alone Base Station / Desktop Speakerphone / Hands Free System. The speaker phone and handset work with both cellular and PTT (Push To Talk) modes. The cradle also charges the phone.
The AdvanceCommunicator comes with a high gain antenna but also has an external antenna port built into it making it easy to improve cellular signal strength by adding an antenna such as a Yagi or magnetic mount.
The AdvanceCommunicator also comes with software that enables you to operate your phone from a PC. The software allows you to make calls, copy and save caller ID, store thousands of names and numbers, attach photos, assign distinctive rings, update an activity log, keeps a history of calls and more.
The AdvanceCommunicator is available for many Nextel Motorola iDen phones and some Nokia phones.
More Info on AdvanceCommunicator Desktop Hands Free Info at Alternative Wireless
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February 27th, 2009
Chargepod Cell Phone, iPhone, BlackBerry, Headset Multi Charger
This product kind of hit a nerve as everytime I open up a new electronic gadget (and I open many) out comes a big clunky power supply or charger. I look down at my power stip with disgust at the mess.
In the vast world of cell phone accessories the Chargepod from cellpod stands out as offering a much neater charging base. You only have one round pod and you replace all your clunky transformers with a short, neat charging cable. You can charge up to 6 devices at the same time. Charger adapters are available for cell phones, PDAs, MP3 Players, Cameras, iPhones, iPods, BlackBerrys and more.
Find more information on the Chargepod Charger from cellpod.
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February 13th, 2009
Femtocell is a cellular service provider’s solution to providing cellular phone service inside someone’s home or office where an outside signal from the carrier’s tower does not reach. If a customer has a metal roof or lives in a concrete bunker that blocks cellular service, femtocell may be just the answer.
In order to use femtocell, you must have a broadband service like T1, DSL or Cable. An example is Sprint’s AIRAVE™ service. A Sprint customer buys the AIRAVE™ base station, connects it to their broadband router and a mini cell tower is created inside the home or office. Verizon and AT&T offer similiar femtocell solutions with varying prices.
The femtocell solution does have it’s limitations. Since a broadband service is required, using it to improve the signal to their cellular data cards makes little sense. If you live in rural areas where DSL or Cable is not available, femtocell won’t be an option.
Femtocell service is offered only in limited areas so even if you do have broadband service you might not be able to use femtocell. A single femtocell device will only work with a single carrier. A Sprint AIRAVE™, for example, won’t help the Verizon phones in the home. The number of user that can use the a femtocell device at one time may also be limited. For example Sprint has a 3 user limit.
Check with your carrier for more information.
Sprint AIRAVE , Verizon Wireless Femtocell
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February 8th, 2009
The higher the antenna gain, the better performing the antenna correct? This is usually true but not always. There are a few other factors to consider. Here’s a brief, non technical explanation.
Gain
There are a couple of different methods that manufacturers use to measuring antenna gain. The results give a dBi rating. You will usually see cellular antenna gain expressed in 3 different ways
dB and dBd are the same. 0 dBd (unity gain) is about 2.15 dBi.
The higher the antenna gain the more concentrated it’s beamwidth. As shown in the illustration of omni directional antennas, a 0 dB gain antenna has a higher radiation pattern while the 5 dB is rather flat. Typically a 0 db (or unity) gain antenna would would work better in area surrounded by many trees, hills or high rise buildings while a 5dB would be better in flatter, open areas. A 3dB antenna is probably the best all around antenna for most travelers.
Yagi Directional Cellular Antennas
Yagi Directional Cellular Antenna
Yagi antennas have the highest gains and, because of their more concentrated beam width, are directional. A yagi is mounted on a building and pointed towards the nearest tower. Because of their more narrow beam-width, they do not make good antennas for moving vehicles. Stick with omni directional antennas for cars, trucks and RVs. If there a hills or other obstructions between your location and your carrier’s tower, an omni directional may work better. However, we have seen many instances where the higher yagi still out performs an omni directional even in these types of areas.
Need more info? Larsen has some excellent and more technical info on antennas on their website. You can also find cellular antenna advice on our web site.
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