OT: Cell antennas

[thumbtrap]

Sorry to bring this up here, but this is a wonderful RF resource and it seems that Google has been flooded to the point of utter uselessness by people selling stick on cell phone "boosters". I've a couple questions about cell antennas (GSM particularly), that are NOT SCANNER RELATED. This means all you people who sit back and don't participate until the opportunity arises to sprout free legal advice - keep out. Better yet, brush up on your reading comprehension.

1) Do any of the outdoor antennas work well?
2) Do any of the "rebroadcast" indoor/outdoor antenna pairs work well, or will I have to swap out the antenna in my phone.
3) Who are the reputable dealers for cellular accessories? The web is absolutely flooded with phantom order takers and other "virtual resellers". As far as I can tell, they're all snake oil salesmen.
4) Do I need to punt, tape my phone to a 20 ft pole and get a headset with a long cord on it?

 

[N_Jay]

Sorry to bring this up here, but this is a wonderful RF resource and it seems that Google has been flooded to the point of utter uselessness by people selling stick on cell phone "boosters". I've a couple questions about cell antennas (GSM particularly), that are NOT SCANNER RELATED. This means all you people who sit back and don't participate until the opportunity arises to sprout free legal advice - keep out. Better yet, brush up on your reading comprehension.

1) Do any of the outdoor antennas work well?
2) Do any of the "rebroadcast" indoor/outdoor antenna pairs work well, or will I have to swap out the antenna in my phone.
3) Who are the reputable dealers for cellular accessories? The web is absolutely flooded with phantom order takers and other "virtual resellers". As far as I can tell, they're all snake oil salesmen.
4) Do I need to punt, tape my phone to a 20 ft pole and get a headset with a long cord on it?

The right way.

Get a phone that either has an antenna connection or has a GOOD car kit with an external antenna connection.

Get a decent 3 dB omni or a yagi (will give more gain, but may prevent handing off when the cell is full)(Causing dropped calls).

Use the shortest run of VERY good cable. (Just like scanning)
Remember, you need both the 800 MHz band and the 1700 MHz band.

The antenna to antenna bosters are illegal (and most are Junk)
(friendly reminder)

The direct connection bosters are not (all) illegal, but most are junk.

The back to back antennas usually dont work unless the specific issues is excessive building loss and the outside signal is VERY strong.

 

[thumbtrap]

Get a phone that either has an antenna connection or has a GOOD car kit with an external antenna connection.

Get a decent 3 dB omni or a yagi (will give more gain, but may prevent handing off when the cell is full)(Causing dropped calls).

Use the shortest run of VERY good cable. (Just like scanning)
Remember, you need both the 800 MHz band and the 1700 MHz band.

The antenna to antenna bosters are illegal (and most are Junk)
(friendly reminder)

The direct connection bosters are not (all) illegal, but most are junk.

The back to back antennas usually dont work unless the specific issues is excessive building loss and the outside signal is VERY strong.

Thanks. I do have a threaded external antenna. The signal is ok in places, but hills and buildings can make it really spotty, so that it works or doesn't work over numerous places within 1/2 mile of here. I had my doubts about rebroadcasting.

 

[rasputen246]

I use a Wilson 800Mhz yagi for reaching out 20 miles to get a semi-local 866Mhz trunked system. It's a single band (806-894 MHz) cellular antenna. 13dbi.


If your cell phone is 800 Mhz I highly recomend this Yagi. It is very well constructed & you can get the SMA or other cell phone connectors/cables from Wilson.

http://www.alternativewireless.com/cellular-antennas/wilson-antennas/wilson_yagi_antenna.html

I found one for $60 not the $79 Wilson charges. :roll:

 

[N_Jay]

I use a Wilson 800Mhz yagi for reaching out 20 miles to get a semi-local 866Mhz trunked system. It's a single band (806-894 MHz) cellular antenna. 13dbi.


If your cell phone is 800 Mhz I highly recomend this Yagi. It is very well constructed & you can get the SMA or other cell phone connectors/cables from Wilson.

http://www.alternativewireless.com/cellular-antennas/wilson-antennas/wilson_yagi_antenna.html

I found one for $60 not the $79 Wilson charges. :roll:

Its hard for the user to know what band he is on at any particular time.

 

[n4voxgill]

I have seen antennas, including yagis at large cell phone stores.

 

[Grog]

Its hard for the user to know what band he is on at any particular time.

It is if it's a single band phone

 

[N_Jay]

Its hard for the user to know what band he is on at any particular time.

It is if it's a single band phone

Like what current model?