Cell Phone Amplifiers

[K-Star]

A search resulted in nothing found.

What do ya'll use for a signal amplifier for your cell phones? I am looking for a solution for those times when I get into areas where signal strength is sketchy.

I have found 2 amplifiers. One amplifier I've looked at is from Wilson (SOHO All-in-One Wireless Repeater Kit for RV via 3G store) and the the other is a Digital Antenna (DA4KMR-30M) 50dB Marine/RV Repeater Kit from the repeater store. Both are in the $ 600.00 range.

Has anyone found anything else that works reliably (key word there is RELIABLY) ??????

[YC1]

As an rver and telecommunications tech I have used both brands and actually like the Digital Antenna amp because of the weird connectors Wilson likes to use. They may be different now. I have used wired ones which are the best. The repeaters work fairly well but note you need 1 bar at least on your phone to start.

[Clay L]

I have used a Wilson trucker antenna and Wilson amp for several years and if you have some signal it can make the difference between connecting and not connecting.
I have the type of Wilson amp that has a small flat plate antenna that velcros the back of a cellphone (or aircard). That way no adapter or antenna input connection on the phone is needed .

The repeater type with the small directional antenna works well also .
I set one up for a friend last winter. There is a minimum distance between the external antenna and the internal flat plate antenna and although we did not have as much separation as Wilson required it worked well.

One thing to note is that the amp and antenna is designed for 3g and if you have Verizon 4g they will not work properly. Verizon uses the 700 MHz band for most if not all of their 4G network and neither the ant or amp is designed to work on that band.

[WheelingIt]

I haven't used any myself (we use a wired amp/antenna for our data aircard) but Jack Meyer has done alot of testing on the wireless amps and recommends the one from Signal Control. He also has some good pointers on antennas. You can see his test reports on his website.
http://www.jackdanmayer.com/communication.htm

[wa8yxm]

NOTE: Whatever you decide on you might want to make it quick.

There is a proposal to limit those devices for some reason which, as it happens, I do more or less understand (I did not read the fine print all that close)

Seems some folks are claiming they cause interference.

[carmantx]

We use the wi-ex Z boost at our house in the county. Very pleased with it.

Wi-Ex :: Home

[w6pea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay L I have used a Wilson trucker antenna and Wilson amp for several years and if you have some signal it can make the difference between connecting and not connecting. I have the type of Wilson amp that has a small flat plate antenna that velcros the back of a cellphone (or aircard). That way no adapter or antenna input connection on the phone is needed .

I also have and use a Wilson Truckers Antenna....I have been using it for over 5 years, works great. I have been in areas where nobody else has had service.

[ctpres]

Have Wilson SOHO with trucker ant. Ant didn't last 1,500 miles. Seems every time I looked at it - it was a bit shorter. Spring to strong and mast so brittle that a piece would break off every time it hit even the smallest branch. As stated must have signal (around -100 db) to get good preformance.

[K-Star]

thanks for all the input. i'll give 3G Store a call tomorrow as I have a technical questions for them.

[littlec]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Star thanks for all the input. i'll give 3G Store a call tomorrow as I have a technical questions for them.

Be sure to share any good information you learn. There are a lot of us out here with similar questions!

Thanks,
littlec

[billyb]

i recently bought a wilson desktop amp from ebay , and the antenna part goes outside at your highest point, and it seems to relly boost the bars all the way . while on the cell, i haven't had any probl;ems using it. it does seem to run very hot on the amp inside, so i put a small 1" muffin fan on it , and it cooled it down nicely. the tech at wilson said thats normal, but i really disagree. you would think a company as big as wilson would build a fan into it, for what their retail price is.