Cellular Wireless Repeater and Signal Amplification Systems

How many times has this happened to you? Your cell phone rings, you are expecting an important call and you know if you answer inside the building, the call will be dropped. Hoping you can make it outside before voicemail picks up; you snatch your phone and make a mad dash for the door, only to have it stop ringing five feet from a stable signal. How many times have you thought "Why can't I have reliable cellular service inside my home or office?" The answer is you can!

There are two main categories of solutions available for enhancing your cellular signal; they are direct connect and wireless cellular repeater systems. With the direct connect option; there is a cable which connects your device to the signal enhancement system. A basic direct connect solution consists of an exterior antenna, referred to as a "donor" antenna, a cable to connect the donor antenna to the amplifier, a bi-directional amplifier to increase the signal strength and an adapter cable for connecting to the cellular device you are using. These systems are typically used where the received signal strength outside is very poor and/or for cellular internet service. The main drawbacks to the aforementioned solution are the cellular device is attached to a cable while using the system and it will only support one user at a time.

Freedom from cords can still be achieved with the addition of a few optional accessories to the direct connect solution. A docking station links to your cellular phone via Bluetooth, and is connected to either a standard 5.8 GHz or 6 GHz cordless telephone. In this configuration, when your cellular phone receives a call, that call is routed to the cordless handset by the docking station, the cordless handset will ring and you simply answer your call. To call out, dial the number on the cordless handset and the docking station will connect that call through your cellular phone. There is no need for a traditional landline with this cellular signal enhancement system. Also available are cellular broadband routers, which allow you to use a single cellular modem to support multiple computers simultaneously. The routers can also be used in conjunction with a direct connect system to ensure excellent cellular service to the air card.

The other, often more sought after method of signal enhancement, is the wireless cellular repeater system. One thing that should be clarified before we go much further, wireless means there is no physical connection to the cellular phone; however there are cables that connect the various components of the system to each other. A basic in-building wireless cellular repeater system consists of an exterior donor antenna, a bi-directional amplifier for the frequency or frequencies your carrier uses, at least one internal repeater antenna, and cables to connect the antennas to the amplifier. The donor antenna is typically mounted on the roof of the building where it can receive the best available cellular signal from your provider's cell tower. The cellular signal received at the donor antenna is then transmitted through a communications grade coaxial cable to the amplifier, where the signal strength is increased to a level that it can be rebroadcast from the repeater antennas throughout the interior of the building. A wireless cellular repeater system will support multiple simultaneous users and can be designed to cover everything from an apartment up to a 1,000,000 plus square foot commercial facility.

The solution which will work best for you depends on the received signal strength outside your building, the size of the area you need to cover, and the frequency your carrier utilizes in your geographic area. You can see a rough estimation of your signal strength by just looking at the bars on your cell phone, however for a more accurate measure of your cellular signal you will want to check the numerical value of your received signal strength. On most phones there is a hidden feature called "test mode". The instructions to access this feature vary between manufacturers and cellular providers. A comprehensive list of instructions to access the test mode feature can be found at the following web address: http://mycellularsolutions.com/files/Test_Modes_3-31-09.pdf. You can look up your carrier's frequency in your area by navigating to http://www.wirelessadvisor.com and entering your zip code. Once this preliminary information has been obtained I would suggest contacting a professional to assist you in designing a system to meet your needs.

In-building cellular signals have been a problem starting with the first cellular phone. For years we have all been racing against our own voicemail in a valiant but futile attempt to answer the phone. However, with the utilization of a cellular repeater or direct connect cellular signal enhancement solution; you can be free from the voicemail race. You can answer your phone with confidence, and they will finally be able to hear you now!