Cell Phone Question

[RKH]

In our house, there are weak or dead areas for cell phone reception while in other areas the cell has a strong signal.
I know there are remote wired antennae one can add for weaker areas. Is there a wireless repeater (for lack of a better term) that I can set up that will improve cell phone reception in the house? A link would be appreciated.

[Woody]

Call your cell phone company and tell them about the problem. They may not be aware of the reception problem. I had problem with reception in my area and they want you to be happy so they did something and the cell reception improved. As far as I kinow there is nothing a user can do ( other than make them aware of the problem), it is the function of a particular tower verses another for coverage. Sometimes it has a lot to do with terrain or area also and who the service provider is canplay apart in it also

[anonymous2]

RKH,

Some cell companies have a roaming update over the air programming # to dial. It will tune you in to the local most tower to you. We use that feature all over the country to get the best signal. If you are a Verizon customer it's *228,and follow the on air instructions. You must do this everytime you travel at least every 150 miles from the last time you reprogrammed , starting at home,and when you return home. It can be a pain,but it will help you stay connected. Also If you have a nationwide plan,it will eliminate roaming charges. We do it everytime we fill up for gas when traveling,I pump,she reprograms.

pateardropper

[RKH]

Thanks for the feedback but I know where the towers are and what the coverage is for our neighborhood and we're on the fringe (have tried several different companies and compared notes with the neighbors).

This portion of the neighborhood is in a hole both terrestially and cellularly. You can get a signal in either the front or back rooms upstairs. I'd like to figure a way to push that signal around inside the house without being wired to an antenna in one of those rooms.

[agpage]

We had this done at work. (I work in a shielded computer room)
It is VERY expensive. The equipment is licensed and must be installed by "professionals"

They put an attenna on the roof, and several small transcevers throught the building.

The good news is that it works perfectly.

I have heard of passive bosters. This is a good attenna and a "leaky" cable. I'll see if I still have links at work.

[Old Coyote]

RKH,
I just got this catalog today, from CYBERGUYS.COM. On the second page they show a wireless amplifier/repeater, kinda pricey, $400.00.

Herb

[GHOSTSSX]

We have a yagi pointing at the nearest tower, and an inside amp going to both "leaky" coax and patch antennas in strategic locations. This is at work.

It is very pricey.

I saw an article on a homebrew solution, I'll see if I can find it again.

CHUCK

[GHOSTSSX]

OK a few solutions:

http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/

http://robert.watkins.net/phone/

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/1614

[RKH]

Thanks muchly. I'll do some more investigating based on the links. I knew someone here would be able to point me at some things.

[mwolford]

Hi,
I had the same problem with cell phone coverage. As soon as I found an alternative internet connection (WildBlue satellite), I wanted to get rid of the phone lines --- all both of them averaging $75.00 a month.

I purchased a cellular repeater from wpsantennas. It is a bit pricey, but I figured that after a year of no landline phone bills, it would pay for itself!!

Here is the link:
http://www.wpsantennas.com/

Mike