[Hidden-tech] cell phone repeater/amplifier needed

[ussailis at shaysnet.com]

I forgot to mention antenna location.

Yes, you will not see much difference in an attic, if you have a standard
asphalt shingle roof. Outside might give you some more height, and might be
a greater attractor for Thor's bolts. 

On the other hand, metal roofing is becomming popular now. You don't want
to be under it. If you own you know, if you rent you will need to check.

If you do put the antenna/ amplifier outside, lightning arrestors, ground
rods, and so forth are absolutly necessary in our area. Don't be without
them. The home you save may be your own.

About 20 years ago Bell Labs did a study on penetration of various walls.
Wood frame without foil backed insulation hasn't much loss. Concrete block
will loose 3/4 of the signal. Although this sounds terrible, it is only
mildly bad. Solid concrete is worst.

Finally, in the modern office building the sheet rock on the walls is often
foil backed. Signal penetration thru this wall is horrid.


Jim Ussailis



Original Message:
-----------------
From: Tom Goldsmith TTGsmith at TGandA.com
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:46:09 -0400
To: Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net, LGoodhue at alumnae.smith.edu,
ussailis at shaysnet.com
Subject: RE: [Hidden-tech] cell phone repeater/amplifier needed


Lynn; 

I've put in a couple of repeaters, with generally good results.  But doing
it 
"on the cheap" is not what I'd expect to work.  Also, one wants to be fairly

sure a lightning strike won't wipe out an installation.  

I've had excellent luck with an installation I set up about four years ago, 
which has worked flawlessly ever since.  (Prior to installation, complaints 
about irregular cell phone reception were the rule, not the exception.)  
But that installation cost around a thousand dollars in parts (from Wilson 
Electronics, which I believe to be the industry leader)  and a comparable 
effort in fussing around to figure it all out and get it up and running.  

>From what you say, you have enough signal that if you "strengthened" it 
with a directional "yagi" antenna you could get it to work fine.  Also, if
you 
get a bit higher, you might do even better.  

I like to put a directional antenna in an attic space, and also ground the 
cable properly, as well as be sure the power to the repeater-amplifier 
is well grounded.  Then a cable should be run down from the attic-based 
repeater to a location in your office or living space where the "repeated" 
signal can be sent out from an antenna to your cell phone.  (At least a 20 
foot vertical separation is recommended.)  I've done both of my
installations 
for Verizon Wireless use, but I'm told all cell phone signals can be served 
with Wilson equipment.  But yes, you must pay attention to whether 
you are getting an 800 or 1,800 MHz signal.  

It is important to use large-dimension lower-impedance (more expensive) 
cables to reduce signal loss, as Jim Ussailis has already told you.  

Others have suggested how you might get around using your cell phone 
at home, but I'm assuming you are like me and don't like to have too  
many versions or paths to the tools and devices you use.  ..But to enjoy 
that luxury, you need to be prepared to pay a couple of thousand dollars 
in equipment and headache costs.  

Respond to me off-line if you have further questions or wish to discuss 
any of these points.  

Tom Goldsmith  

=====================================================

TTGsmith at TGandA.com    
Thomas Goldsmith & Associates
18 Commercial St
Salem, MA  01970
Tel: 617-723-9494


From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Lynn
Goodhue
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 12:15 PM
To: hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
Subject: [Hidden-tech] cell phone repeater/amplifier needed

Hi Hidden-Tech-ers,
 
I am wondering how/where to get a cell phone signal repeater/amplifier so my
cell phone can actually make calls from my home office.  I have to put the
thing on the upper sill of one of 2 windows, out of the sun, and hope the
planets are aligned properly. If the planets, the weather and the gods are
all happy, then I can answer a call that comes in using my hands-free, but
it still kind of static-y and I have to shout. Not very good.
I saw a device in the window of the AT&T store on Main St,  in Northampton,
so I know they exist.  But I don't know if one will work where the cell
signal is as week as it is on the northern fringes of Williamsburg, or if
there is a relatively inexpensive version for home use.
 
Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Lynn Goodhue
Your Independent I.T. Strategist	



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