Cell Signal Boosters

[Ford850]

Was able to activate the iPhone SE on the Verizon network yesterday, and so far 4G LTE is a no show, quite contrary to the Verizon coverage map and assurances from their sales staff. The best I've managed is -93 db inside the house, later falling to -118 db. Not much difference outside the house, even though the Wilson antenna/amplifier shows no sign of overload. To say I'm disappointed would be putting it mildly.

And just to add insult to injury, I had to power cycle the satellite modem this morning to even get on the Internet.

From what I can tell, your Wilson amp does not support LTE.

 

[Ford850]

Yes you the phone will switch from booster to tower. You will not notice it. We have Wilson booster in the house and direct connection outside. Difference is only signal strength. Almost full in the house and one or two bars outside.

Very good, thanks! I'm curious about an answer to k0ua's follow up question too.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

I have dealt with these people before and they seem OK
Here is a crimp on F connector that fits the larger RG11 cable. and a compression type

Holland SLC-11 F-Type Male Compression Connector - RG11 | ShowMeCables.com

Thanks! Connectors and compression tool on order! It'll be so good to get that little problem taken care of...:cool2:

 

[RedNeckGeek]

From what I can tell, your Wilson amp does not support LTE.

That is correct. But I don't see LTE on the phone when I'm wandering around outside the home, either.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks! Connectors and compression tool on order! It'll be so good to get that little problem taken care of...:cool2:

Glad to help.:thumbsup:

 

[Redneck in training]

When the switch is made mid-call does the call stay connected? And if so, in both instances? Both moving from the inside to the outside of coverage and from the outside to the inside cell?

Yes, I can walk in or out of the house without dropping the call. I fact I can drive out of the house without dropping the call.

 

[k0ua]

Yes, I can walk in or out of the house without dropping the call. I fact I can drive out of the house without dropping the call.

Good to know..

 

[Ford850]

Yes, I can walk in or out of the house without dropping the call. I fact I can drive out of the house without dropping the call.

Perfect! Thanks.

 

[N80]

I'm afraid that won't help much: It has to be a room at a Holiday Inn EXPRESS! :laughing:

"I'm born to lose and destined to fail."

Social Distortion: Ball and Chain

 

[N80]

I never knew there is so much to this... learn something everyday at TBN.

Amen to that. I learn more at TBN than pretty much any other site. For me TBN is the most useful resource on the internet. It says a lot about the underlying philosophy of the site (friendly, helpful, etc) but it must say something about people who own tractors too. ;-)

 

[N80]

That is correct. But I don't see LTE on the phone when I'm wandering around outside the home, either.

The LTE designation comes and goes on my phone in town and down at the cabin. My booster does support LTE though.

The odd thing is that the dB signal must be different for LTE. In other words, at times, down at the cabin with the signal booster the phone will indicate '-84 dB 3G' and the phone works fine including data. Then it will switch to '-118 dB LTE' and operate at about the same speed, maybe a little faster. As I understand it -115 dB is pretty much the equivalent of no signal at all for 3G but at -118 LTE I can watch a YouTube video with minimal pauses whereas at -112 dB 3G I get little to no data at all.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Amen to that. I learn more at TBN than pretty much any other site. For me TBN is the most useful resource on the internet. It says a lot about the underlying philosophy of the site (friendly, helpful, etc) but it must say something about people who own tractors too. ;-)

Exactly.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

The odd thing is that the dB signal must be different for LTE. In other words, at times, down at the cabin with the signal booster the phone will indicate '-84 dB 3G' and the phone works fine including data. Then it will switch to '-118 dB LTE' and operate at about the same speed, maybe a little faster. As I understand it -115 dB is pretty much the equivalent of no signal at all for 3G but at -118 LTE I can watch a YouTube video with minimal pauses whereas at -112 dB 3G I get little to no data at all.

I'm noticing a similar thing with a new iPhone SE, except on the voice side. The old 4s never rang in the office, even with a Wilson booster on the other side of the house. I guess the signal just wasn't strong enough through all those walls. The SE rings on every incoming call, and I haven't made any adjustments to the booster antenna. On the data side, the SE also works in the office, but then so did the 4s. Just not very fast: it's not using the 4G network nor LTE, and not 3G either that I can tell.

A different amplifier setup is needed for the new 4G LTE signal from what I can gather. But I don't see any point in buying one if there's no signal present to begin with, so I'd be interested to hear what signal levels other people are seeing (using Test Mode on their phones) when they're getting 4G service.

 

[k0ua]

You guys do know there is an Android app that will tell you a ton of information without putting you phone in test mode.

Network Cell Info Lite - Android Apps on Google Play

 

[RedNeckGeek]

You guys do know there is an Android app that will tell you a ton of information without putting you phone in test mode.

Network Cell Info Lite - Android Apps on Google Play

Be nice if there was one in Apple's App Store. Maybe I'll take a look?

 

[kc5dlo]

This thread got me going again looking into a booster system for my place. It is within sight of the interstate and several towers, But my home is built in a metal building and drops my signal quite a bit. I bought a WeBoost by Wilson and threw the outside antenna on top of my TV antenna and tried it out. I went from -113db to 86db without any tuning at all. Yesterday evening I put the outside antenna on it's own push up pole and removed on of the 30' sections of coax. I was able to obtain -79db although I now have a red light and a green/orange light flashing, indicating I'm too close to the cell tower or the 2 antennas in my system are too close together. A little tweeking and I should be good.