Cell phone booster

[radman1]

I recently purchased a vacation/rental home in the Rocky Mountains. I have Verizon cell phone currently and the coverage is better at my primary residence than the other major competitor, ATT. However, in the mountains my Verizon service will not work in the house but works 100 feet away. ATT will reach in mountain home but too many dead spots near my primary residence. I don't want to get land line phone service and use the cell phone. Is there a recommend cell phone booster that will work with Verizon at the mountain home? Any other solutions?

The mountain house does have internet/wi-fi. Is there a way to get phone coverge via internet? I have heard of Vonage but does it work?

 

[k0ua]

I recently purchased a vacation/rental home in the Rocky Mountains. I have Verizon cell phone currently and the coverage is better at my primary residence than the other major competitor, ATT. However, in the mountains my Verizon service will not work in the house but works 100 feet away. ATT will reach in mountain home but too many dead spots near my primary residence. I don't want to get land line phone service and use the cell phone. Is there a recommend cell phone booster that will work with Verizon at the mountain home? Any other solutions?

The mountain house does have internet/wi-fi. Is there a way to get phone coverge via internet? I have heard of Vonage but does it work?

We have used the Packet 8 service over the internet for many years, and it works well about 99.9 percent of the time. We still have our landline also. there are Cellphone repeater systems you can buy (Wilson is one brand), but a little pricey, for many years I used a Wilson gain type of antenna in the house and hooked to the cell phone with coax and the "pigtail" coax adaptor to match to the miniature antenna connector on the cell phone, this worked well, then they put in another tower, and now is no longer needed as we have good service anywhere in the house.

James K0UA

 

[texbaylea]

radman1

I was at extreme range for T-mobile. On a good day I could get about 1 bar inside or outside. I added a metal roof to the house and went to zero. I added a single band repeater system and gained back my 1 bar signal strength. I then added a high gain antenna aimed at the cell tower. That had the antenna just at roof top level and had a solid 3 bars, moving the antenna up to 45 feet agl gave me a solid 5 bars.

For you going to a dual band repeater would prepare you for a change in cell service at a moderate cost increase. Here is a link for a starting point; www.[B]alternativewireless.com[/B] Wilson equipment is top notch but there are less expensive solutions.

Vernon

 

[nikdfish]

Verizon has a unit that acts like a mini cell tower when attached to an internet connection. I believe they refer to it as a "network extender". It willl support 4 or 5 simultaneous connections within its operational area. It's like $250 if no incentives or rebates. It does require an ability to get a GPS signal in addition to a broadband internet connection. I believe bandwidth use is like 40kbps up/down per active call. There is no monthly fee for using it & it can be relocated at will. It just needs to be used in a geographic area that verizon serves...

You can get info here

Nick

 

[DANOCHEESE]

Talk with Verizon Actualy talk loud and thye can and will give you a femtocell. THis uses the internet connection you have. DOn;t use VOIP it realy is poor quality.

 

[johnrex62]

What type of internet connection do you have? I am rural and have only to a WISP (Wireless ISP) and find that the increased lag does not play well with the femtocell (extender) device.

I was comped this device from Sprint and ended up spending the $400+ to get a Wilson dualband booster system. Well worth the money as long as you can get enough signal outside to start with. I wasn't thinking fully when I built my house with stucco walls and metal lined roof. Ended up taking out my phone signal indoors. I have decent signal outdoors, so this solution does well for me. The network extender was very spotty and went downhill when the WISP lag increased.

 

[k0ua]

Talk with Verizon Actualy talk loud and thye can and will give you a femtocell. THis uses the internet connection you have. DOn;t use VOIP it realy is poor quality.

How interesting, since most long haul voice connections are now VOIP and VOIP is being rolled out in most markets in the form of SIP trunks to business, and VOIP hosted services..If you have talked long distance over a landline lately, you have talked VOIP..We dont talk about pindrops any more, but it works pretty good. Of course the quality cannot be guaranteed over the internet, as who knows when someone is going to download a movie or upload a file to TractorByNet:laughing: I have had the Packet8 VOIP for about 5 years now and it ocassionally drops a call, but the voice quality is fine. I have 10/1 MBS service with the local cable company for internet access

James K0UA

 

[roamerr]

I built a new home last year and hasd the exact same issue. I tried a Verizon Network Extender hooded to me DSL and it did not work. The issue was the Quality of Service (QOS) required was more than my 8mbs DSL could provide. Verizon did not let me know that before I tried it.

I ended up purchasing a Wireless Extender that boosts the signal in my home. Very simple. The one I purchased is on Amazon under Wireless Extenders zBoost SOHO YX545. Mine is installed in the attic. Basically I positioned the antenna (connected to booster via Coax cable) where it would get a signal. I then positioned the booster in the attic at approx the center of my home. Works great and gives me 3 bars where I had none in the house. Now -- there may be cheaper solutions but this one works. After messing with the Verizon Network Extender I was tired of wasting time and just wanted something that worked!

Amazon.com: Wireless Extenders zBoost SOHO YX545 Dual-Band Cell Phone Signal Booster for Home and Office (White): Cell Phones & Accessories

If you want to test your QOS Verizon had me use InternetFrog and click on VOIP under Free Internet Tools. The QOS needs to be 90 and above. I'm now at that but was not 10 months ago. Not sure what changed... If it is not in the 90's the VOIP phone calls can be really choppy or unclear.

 

[jdonovan]

. Is there a recommend cell phone booster that will work with Verizon at the mountain home? Any other solutions?

The mountain house does have internet/wi-fi. Is there a way to get phone coverge via internet? I have heard of Vonage but does it work?

I recently picked up a booster by wilson electronics. It is amazing. Went from no coverage in many places to 1-2 bars. Where I had 2 bars before now I have 5.

Net boost was almost 20db. ( if you don't speak db, don't worry about it)

not a super cheap system, and won't get you a signal if none-exists, but if you have outside, or really close near by coverage it can make a big difference.

They also make in-vehicle systems that work really well too.

 

[WVBill]

I found a bunch of information on evdoforums.com .

I ended up with just a grid antenna pointed at my closest Verizon tower and connected directly to the modem. I'm over 5 miles from the tower, just over a few hills. I've had a good solid connection for over 2 years.

 

[Airsafety]

Two easy solutions. My Blackberry, my wife's Nexus S and many other phones fall back to wi-fi (or can use it as the primary network). We use T-mobile and it works well - can't tell the difference from the cell network. We use it for low cost international calls, too.

Another solution is Google Voice over a wi-fi connection. Nexus S - and I suspect most Android phones - will use Google Voice or most internet providers.

 

[lutt]

I recently purchased a vacation/rental home in the Rocky Mountains. I have Verizon cell phone currently and the coverage is better at my primary residence than the other major competitor, ATT. However, in the mountains my Verizon service will not work in the house but works 100 feet away. ATT will reach in mountain home but too many dead spots near my primary residence. I don't want to get land line phone service and use the cell phone. Is there a recommend cell phone booster that will work with Verizon at the mountain home? Any other solutions?

The mountain house does have internet/wi-fi. Is there a way to get phone coverge via internet? I have heard of Vonage but does it work?

I work on the lower Mississippi river as a assistant engineer on the M/V American Pillar. It is a towboat. In our control room and up in the pilot house the company installed a Wilson mobile wireless dual band amplifier. Cellular/pcs 824-894/1850-1950 mhz. The company phones are att wireless but my personal phone and aircard on my laptop are Verizon wireless. The booster makes all the difference in the world. We go through some way out of the way places and have service 98% of the time, it is out right now and this trip southbound I would go as far to say we have cut our service down to less than 50%, to just around the major cities we go through. We have the Wilson Marine antenna. But there several options for antennas on there web sight. The yagi being a good home antenna. Hope this helps Lutt.

 

[merrickvilleguy]

I don't have much cell access here, and only have satellite internet, I use a g729 codec on a SIP trunk to a handy tone 487. Works great, but there is lag of around 3/4-1s.

 

[Financegal]

I live in the middle of nowhere - I've had a cell phone forever which never worked here. I'd had it from my days of living outside Wash DC. I JUST got the Fivespot mobile 3G from Verizon last week. You have to be able to get a signal but it is what I believe someone here was referring to in an earlier post. Verizon swore up and down it WOULDN"T work here. My BIL was here using his phone and the signal was sporadic. I have it and it's since much stronger. I like it - anything's WAY better than dialup or the Hughes satelllite that my SIL has.

When I got it, there was a promotion on - it cost $1 plus $35 for acitivation and then you buy whatever data plan you need. I don't download a lot of pics, etc so I have the data plan for $35 month (tax brings it up higher so beware of that). You can put in your home and 5 different electronics can hook up to it at once BUT anyone hooked into it is eating into your data from your plan.

 

[Snapper Head]

I recently purchased a vacation/rental home in the Rocky Mountains. I have Verizon cell phone currently and the coverage is better at my primary residence than the other major competitor, ATT. However, in the mountains my Verizon service will not work in the house but works 100 feet away. ATT will reach in mountain home but too many dead spots near my primary residence. I don't want to get land line phone service and use the cell phone. Is there a recommend cell phone booster that will work with Verizon at the mountain home? Any other solutions?

The mountain house does have internet/wi-fi. Is there a way to get phone coverge via internet? I have heard of Vonage but does it work?

Wilson amplifier with directional antenna. Problem solved (you will have to be able to elevate the directional antenna high enough to have clear line of sight toward the nearest verizon tower. Even if it the tower is over the horizon (technically, beyond line of sight), it will work.

Not cheap. but worth it. I went from .05 bars outside, zero bars inside, to 5 bars everywhere on the property and inside the house. I went dual band because I also have an air card for internet.

These are the guys to talk to: Wilson cell phone antennas, amplifiers, repeaters, coax cables, antenna adapters

Call them, talk to Jeff. He will only sell you what you need, and what he sells you will fix your problem.

Best pricing on Wilson gear, anywhere. I have no affiliation with them, other than being a very satisfied customer.


Big Al

 

[woodchuckc]

The above site has some convenient links posted on the left side. Do a little homework and locate where you nearest service towers are. Also put your phone in test mode and measure what kind of signal strength you have in various locations around your property. If you signal is between -110dbm and -100dbm, you may not have much luck with boosters. If you're in the range of -99dbm and -90dbm, things should work out with some type of booster. Signals above -90dbm usually don't need any help. FYI - those signals are on a backward scale, or so they appear that way for the signals we're measuring.

How do you get into test mode on a phone? I wouldn't mind paying a few hundred dollars to get some amplification set up so I can use my phone and get rid of my satellite internet, but I don't want to drop the cash and still not have connectivity. I can ride my 4-wheeler about 1/4 mile or so up the ridge behind my house and get 1 bar (2 on a really good day), but there is nothing down at my house. Of course, the Verizon coverage map says we are good in our area, but that is only if you happen to be at the very top of the ridges.

 

[kubotaman83837]

I have used the both Wilson units and the Verizon Network Extender. the Wilson stuff is ok for vehical usage not so good for home, however the Verizon Wireless unit is by far more superior. If you have high speed internet (I have only 3megs), all you need to do is place the GPS receiver by a window, plug it into your router, Wait about a hour for it to register with the network and you are done. You can enjoy (or not) making and receiving calls and text messages. It has a range of about 150' if my memory serves my right. The Network Extender can be used and moved anywhere you are.

 

[dex3361]

Been using this unit in the house and I bought the same thing for my truck. I used the magnetic mount antenna even at the house. It works great. I am in a valley and the cell tower is about 7 miles away. I have recently mounted a directional antennae and I use an inductive cradle that has no connection to the phone. WPS This is the cradle I used just make sure that the connectors are correct. Cradle I went from no bars to 3 or 4 bars. The magnetic mounted antennae must be attached to a metal plate to work. I had a piece of plate I stuck it to while trying it out.

 

[PaulieD]

I have used the both Wilson units and the Verizon Network Extender. the Wilson stuff is ok for vehical usage not so good for home, however the Verizon Wireless unit is by far more superior. If you have high speed internet (I have only 3megs), all you need to do is place the GPS receiver by a window, plug it into your router, Wait about a hour for it to register with the network and you are done. You can enjoy (or not) making and receiving calls and text messages. It has a range of about 150' if my memory serves my right. The Network Extender can be used and moved anywhere you are.

Kubotaman,

Thanks for the recommendation. We have no cell phone service at our full time home in the Adirondacks (used to be a weekend retreat), I couldn't get one bar anywhere on my property, but I could raise a signal about two miles north of the house.

I purchased and installed the Verizon Extender and now I get three bars in the house and one bar outside to about a 50' to 60' radius of the house.

Thanks again,

Paul

 

[DougM]

Kubotaman,

I purchased and installed the Verizon Extender and now I get three bars in the house and one bar outside to about a 50' to 60' radius of the house.

Thanks again,

Paul

I bought the extender about a year back and I tryied my best to get some kind of
a discount on it from verizon but it was like talking to a wall, the unit does work

Doug