Antenna booster how does it work

When signal outside is strong, a cell signal amplifier acts similarly to a speaker system that is being fed by a strong feed from a microphone. It doesn't matter how much your voice is amplified — the maximum volume of the speaker system you've installed is much more important.

Speaker power is measured in Watts, but for cell phone signal boosters, the total downlink output power is measured in decibel-milliwatts dBm. The most important cell booster specification when picking an amplifier for use in a situation with strong outdoor signal is the downlink output power, in dBm.

The amplifier's gain —a measure of its amplification—matters less. The maximum legally-allowed downlink output power for all cell boosters set by the FCC is 12 dBm. In our recommendations below, we recommend cell signal boosters that we've tested to have close to this maximum number. A note on antenna choice: you can likely get away with using an omnidirectional outdoor antenna.

Our top choice for smaller homes and apartments with strong outdoor signal is the weBoost Home Multiroom. RG-6 coax is easier to cut and crimp, and can be found at your local hardware store. Both of these units have around 10 dBm downlink power, and can cover up to 4, square feet when used with with 4 indoor antennas.

There is no charge for the assistance. Call us now at or live chat with us now. If your building is particular large bigger than 25, square feet , we also offer a turn-key installation service. However, designing a daisy-chained system requires careful link budget calculations, which is why we recommend reaching out to our engineering team.

That being said, we do have some recommendations on the types of amplifiers that make the most sense in larger buildings. Our top picks include the following:. These units have 4 indoor antenna ports. Each output has a downlink power level of 12 dBm. They are useful if it makes the most sense to "home-run" the cables back to a single location.

They also have three outdoor antenna ports to allow for multiple cell tower targeting. The Wilson Pro is a 17 dBm single-output booster. Instead of having 4 output ports, the Pro combines the same power level into a single feed, allowing you to daisy-chain antennas and minimize cable-runs.

The Pro also comes in a rack-mountable format: the Wilson Pro R. The Wilson Pro is the only cell signal booster kit available from any manufacturer that includes an "in-line amplifier. The SureCall Force5 2. The downlink output power specification is critical and determines the total coverage area of the system. The Force5 2. To take advantage of the full power of the system, we highly recommend using multiple indoor antennas.

The Cel-Fi Quatra is one of the newest enterprise-grade products we carry. The technology is more advanced than any of the other cell boosters we sell: the Quatra digitizes cellular signal and distributes it via ethernet Cat5e or higher cable.

This can dramatically reduce cabling costs or even allow you to avoid running any new cable by utilizing existing cable in a building. We recommend the newer Quatra - it is compatible with 2 carriers at a time, unlike the older device that only supports one carrier per system. A single Quatra "Network Unit" can support up to 4 "Coverage Units" similar to indoor antennas in other systems. With 4 coverage units, a single system can cover an area of up to 50, square feet.

Multiple systems can be installed in larger buildings to covera larger area, or to amplify signal for 4 carriers instead of 2. The Quatra offers up to dB gain, making it ideal when donor signal is weak less than dBm. Each Coverage Unit puts out up to 12 dBm of downlink output power — so installing a Quatra Network Unit with four Coverage Units is roughly equivalent to installing four more traditional cell phone signal booster kits. The Quatra and Quatra also have a robust remote monitoring and alarm system that allows users to monitor overall system health.

Since the unit generates fresh signal, no outdoor coverage is required in order to use this device. Multiple units can be installed in the same building to expand coverage even farther. Similar to the limits on gain for buildings, the FCC limits the gain of mobile amplifier kits. Multi-carrier mobile boosters are limited to 50 dB gain, and single-carrier mobile signal booster kits are limited to 65 dB gain.

Unfortunately the only single-carrier booster is the Cel-Fi GO M, and after recent hands-on testing we no longer recommend that unit. The new weBoost Drive Reach is the most powerful in-vehicle kit available.

It offers up to 50 dB of gain, the maximum permitted by the FCC for broadband in-vehicle mobile boosters. It also offers significant uplink and downlink power improvements. Uplink dBm is increased by up to 5 dBm compared to the excellent weBoost Drive 4G-X, while downlink power is increased from 2 - 3 dBm, to over 5 dBm on every band. It's so important though, we'll say it again: for best performance with a vehicle cell signal booster, you need to have your phone sitting directly on top of the in-vehicle antenna.

To use your phone wirelessly, just sync it via Bluetooth - it's safer too! In addition to weBoost's Drive Reach, we really like weBoost's "cradle" boosters. A cradle booster ensures that you always have your phone directly next to the booster's antenna. The brand new weBoost Drive Sleek is the latest in a long line of cradle boosters from weBoost.

It's beautifully designed, with a number of aesthetic and functionality upgrades that make it our favorite car and truck booster. Due to the format, the Drive Sleek only works with one device at a time, and won't work with tablets or mobile hotspots. If you need something for those devices, consider the Drive Reach. Our founder was an RV owner for many years, so we learned a thing or two about which units work best while on the road.

This makes it difficult to cover the entire cabin of your RV with strong cellular signal while on the road. If you spend most of your time stationary at camp sites instead of on the road, you can install a booster designed for homes in place of a mobile booster. These come in two types — preamplifiers and distribution amplifiers. Preamplifiers are normally used outside with outside antenna.

It normally comes as a two part unit and the power supply is mounted in the house, while the amplifier is mounted at antenna. A preamplifier's function is to overcome signal loss caused by long cable runs between antenna and the TV or splitter.

Distribution amplifiers are helpful if there's a good signal at the splitter, but not after the splitter, once again due to long cable runs after the splitter, or due to the signal loss caused by the splitter itself. Distribution amplifiers are normally one part and are used indoors.

They are used to overcome losses caused by the splitter and in fact replace a splitter by distributing TV signals to multiple locations. They are also used to overcome weak signals due to distance from TV broadcast towers. If you know that an amplifier replaces the signal lost from splitters and cable runs, you will know what to look for when selecting the proper amplifier. The trick is to select an amplifier with enough gain to cater for the lost signal.

It should be noted that the loss estimates given for a splitter hold true even if some of the ports are not used. A TV installation uses RG59 cable with 60 feet cable running from the antenna to a 2-way splitter.

From the splitter, there are 3 cables with lengths 10, 15 and 20 feet. The splitter introduces another 4 dB, bringing the total loss to 12 dB. A preamplifier with a gain of 12 dB or stronger would cater for the signal loss in this installation. Gain: This number has to be equal to or bigger than the signal loss. Amplifiers typically have gains of between 12 and 30 dB. It should be noted that a higher gain amplifier is not always better.

If there is only 12dB loss on the cable run that is the longest, and a 20dB amplifier is used, you can overwhelm the TV tuner with too strong a signal.

Noise: When an amplifier is connected to a system, signal noise is always introduced, albeit a small amount. A higher noise number will decrease the sensitivity of the tuners that pick up the signal. Frequency: This value should correlate to the TV Antenna. FM Traps are available in switchable or fixed models. It can make a picture more clear and sound more crisp. As long as the signal remains intact, it can also alleviate any problems with a jumpy picture or spotty signal strength.

Note, however, that in times of bad weather or if a television antenna tower is damaged, the booster will not be able to do much, as the actual signal may be interrupted. Size is also an advantage when it comes to antenna boosters. Outside boosters are typically between four and six inches long, making them hardly noticeable so high up.

Indoor boosters are typically six to 12 inches long. Many people believe that if they have no or extremely poor television reception that a television antenna booster will solve their problems. Perfect for people on a budget wanting to improve their cellular reception in small areas. The kit include a Yagi antenna for more reach and an amplifier with an attached antenna. Its compact design allows for a quick and easy installation. The amplifier can be placed on a desk, counter, bookshelf, or any flat surface.

Under perfect conditions, they can enhance your cellular signal in areas up to 2, sq ft, ideal for a small home, apartment, dorm, or condo. However, coverage is determined by how strong or weak your outside signal is. Weak signal areas will probably get around sq ft, enough to cover one large room, such as a living room, home office, master bedroom, or two small rooms. Great starter kit if you have decent outside signal but struggle with a reliable connection in the rooms where it matters.

However, if you live in a weak signal area, you're very unlikely to see the results you want and should consider an upgrade to the weBoost Home MultiRoom. The weBoost Drive Reach is the most powerful vehicle cell signal repeater, designed to boost up to 4 cellular devices across all carriers. A mini magnet mount outside antenna picks up the signals, and a low-profile interior antenna usually Velcroed to a seat broadcasts the signal inside your vehicle. For optimal results, your cellular device will have to be about an arm's length from the inside antenna to benefit from the boosted signal, so it's best for your typical sedan, truck, or SUV, but will work with any vehicle.

It features the highest uplink output power of any multi-carrier vehicle booster, allowing it to reach cell towers that are 2x further for twice the signal strength, making it much more powerful than its competitors and a great performer in the most rural of roads and highways.

If you are looking for a signal booster best designed for big trucks and fleet vehicles, that also supports multiple users, consider the weBoost Drive Reach OTR. The weBoost Drive Sleek is the most economical vehicle cellular amplifier for a single device.

The kit includes a magnet mount antenna that can be easily installed on the roof of any vehicle and an adjustable cradle vent mount designed to hold any size smartphone or small tablet. To benefit from the boosted signal, your cellular device has to be in the cradle. And when paired with a Bluetooth headset, it really shines for regular talk, text, and hands-free navigation.

For those extreme cases of poor cellular reception, upgrade to the weBoost Drive Reach. If you are looking for a signal user signal booster that is designed for big trucks and fleet vehicles, consider the weBoost Drive Sleek OTR. It can be used while driving and while stationary at a campsite, so it only requires one easy installation.

This kit pairs the weBoost Drive X with the best-in-class indoor and outdoor OTR over-the-road antennas for improved coverage while moving. Great for those who have a Class B camper as it should cover most of the interior space boosting signal for up to 4 phones, but can be used for Class A, Class C, and towable trailers as well.

On average, the Drive X RV can provide a coverage area up to 10 ft from the inside antenna, depending on the strength of your outside signal. If you spend most of your time in one location, consider the weBoost Connect RV 65 as it's much more powerful than the Drive X when stationary.

All the signal boosters sold on Wilson Amplifiers are certified by the FCC , meaning they are pre-approved and perfectly legal. There are a great deal of junk signal boosters out on the market, such as cheapo ones you might find on Amazon or eBay - these are not legal, and might disrupt the cellular network you live in. Yes, they do.

Find out how much "poor" cellular signal you need to improve with our handy guide on cell phone signal strength. The only exception would be a particular frequency on the Sprint network used in some very, very local markets extremely rare. While single-carrier amplifiers used to be more common, FCC regulations caused the most reputable manufacturers of cell boosters to cease making them. The ones currently on the market have poor customer feedback due to a difficult installation process and poor reliability.

They are also not future-proof should you change carriers, which the average American does every four years. Therefore, we don't them at this time. No, they do not need WiFi or a landline internet connection to work. They simply boost cellular signal. Your phone will automatically pick up on the boosted signal. In addition, any device that is within the signal boosters coverage area will automatically see an improvement in their signal strength. Many of our users ask: "Why can't I install my signal booster outdoors?

This is because the signal can "bounce" around an area, but when the area is outdoors, there are no walls for bouncing. Cell phone boosters need a power supply, as well. While that probably could be solved by having a battery backup, the FCC prohibits it Besides having less efficient performance in comparison to in-building, carriers do not want signal boosters redeploying signal outside.

The amount of noise that this can bring into the network can cause issues for the cell towers in the area and should be avoided.

If you live in a rural area with a fair number of people sharing the same tower, this can negatively affect everyone's coverage.

Signal boosters won't work outdoors for a number of reasons - including power concerns, effectiveness, and legal reasons - but they do work extremely well indoors.

If you need cell phone signal in your area, get it boosted indoors. Unfortunately no current amplifiers are equipped with a battery per FCC regulations - but even if they were, since boosters are designed to be used in a confined space, you would not see much difference. Your boosted signal is confined to the space in which you set it up. If your neighbor comes to your home, however, they will get boosted signal.