cell phone extender for shop.

[Hobby_Man22]

So I've been making calls using the wifi in my shop and it is kind of hit or miss. It seems like I can always hear the person on my end, but they can't always hear me, so I'm going to go ahead and install the cell phone extender antenna/repeater or whatever you want to call it. My question is it seems like with the wifi the signal gets into the building fine, but obviously doesn't seem to get sent back out very easily. Will I run into the same problem with my extender? Have great reception from the outside, but can't always transmit a clear signal outside? Or will the cell phone repeater antenna boost the signal in both directions? Incoming and outgoing?

 

[couch67]

A cell booster works by having an outside antenna that connects to an amplifier / transceiver that's inside the building. It works both ways - meaning it also boosts your transmit signal.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

A cell booster works by having an outside antenna that connects to an amplifier / transceiver that's inside the building. It works both ways - meaning it also boosts your transmit signal.

Okay good. I didn't want to spend the $300.00 but oh well. I can't rely on the sketchy wifi signal. I've had issues with 3 out of the 4 calls i've made. I think it picks up a slight signal depending on where I am in the shop and tries to switch back to the regular cell tower and that's when I have issues.

 

[dat84]

We bought the Amazboost (search Amazon) one for my work (we are down in a dip and had next to no reception). To my amazement, it actually works. The external antenna we mounted to the roof, and the internal antenna can go anywhere (plenty of coaxial cable)

 

[avistar23]

I have used them in several off grid sites, i do alot of off grid contracting and where i live has tons of islands and cays, they do work surprisingly well ive gone from no signal to steady 80Mbps of 4glte data

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I have used them in several off grid sites, i do alot of off grid contracting and where i live has tons of islands and cays, they do work surprisingly well ive gone from no signal to steady 80Mbps of 4glte data

Good deal. I don't want to have to constantly have to switch the phone over to only use wifi setting, then forget to switch it back etc.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I hooked it up. Works good I have a almost a full signal at the far end of the shop.

 

[Innovate1]

I hooked it up. Works good I have a almost a full signal at the far end of the shop.

Which one did you end up getting? I looked at this some time ago as we get decent signal upstairs but not in the basement. I think I could put the antenna in the attic and not have to put it on the roof. There seems to be a lot of places selling these and I wasn't sure what was a decent brand.

 

[nafterclifen]

Keep in mind that repeaters/boosters can only amplify the existing signal. So if signal is poor to start with, it is going to amplify that poor signal which is not going to help you at all. Hopefully you have good signal outside your shop and just not inside your shop.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Keep in mind that repeaters/boosters can only amplify the existing signal. So if signal is poor to start with, it is going to amplify that poor signal which is not going to help you at all. Hopefully you have good signal outside your shop and just not inside your shop.

I get a full 5 bars everywhere I go in my area.

 

[My Old Tools]

Get a Wilson repeater. Don't mess with anything else. They work and they are reliable.
https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/?g...wHKj2htEAdm6-xpzdEjTuoAnwMrMSax0aAgMLEALw_wcB

 

[juddspaintballs]

I spent the $1000 on a Wilson setup when I moved into this house 7 years ago. It quit working about 6 years ago...dead amplifier. I'd rather spend $250 on a Amazboost for what is likely the same performance and not be as upset when it dies.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I hav been using a Zboost unit for well over 5 years. It really works great and never had a problem with it.

Sent from my moto g power using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[aggie113]

You should know running a cell booster without permission from the cell company(s) could get you in trouble. If the signal interferes with existing cell equipment you could be fined.

 

[paranoid56]

You should know running a cell booster without permission from the cell company(s) could get you in trouble. If the signal interferes with existing cell equipment you could be fined.

which is why they tell you to register it with your provider. I know wilson did when i bought mine.

 

[Metal-Marc]

Keep in mind that repeaters/boosters can only amplify the existing signal. So if signal is poor to start with, it is going to amplify that poor signal which is not going to help you at all. Hopefully you have good signal outside your shop and just not inside your shop.

LoL, that's the point of getting a signal booster. You pick up a weak signal outside, you boost the signal and you get a better signal inside.

I rock a Uniden booster with an outside yagi antenna, and I get 4G and great cell phone service inside which is not possible without the booster.

 

[Gummi Bear]

Got a Wilson at the Farm. Shop blocks signal like a Faraday cage.

I found a map of all the nearest cell phone towers online, and pointed my antenna that direction.

I went from no bars in the shop to 3 or 4. Outside, I get 2 or maybe 3.

It was a big improvement. I can now stream music in the shop which is nice. I can also look up part numbers and even how-to videos when I get stumped.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[My Old Tools]

You should know running a cell booster without permission from the cell company(s) could get you in trouble. If the signal interferes with existing cell equipment you could be fined.

BS. It's done all day every day in every large building on the planet.

 

[tez929rr]

I purchased one of these on eBay two years ago for 89.99 plus shipping and it’s been perfect. When you walk into my steel building and close the door cell signal dropped off completely. It doesn’t show as available any more but I’m sure there are similar ones on eBay.

View media item 108675

 

[Ron_J]

I can get a weak/spuratic WIFI signal in my garage. Bought the $29.99 repeater from amazon and it works great. Even well enough to stream yahooTV in the garage.

 

[lawfarm]

If you have Verizon, LMK. I have a Verizon booster that hooks to Cat5 and gives cell service from a LAN internet service...and I no longer need it.

 

[Fueler]

I use this one in my metal shop. No problem for me or anyone else that happens to be here and a call comes in. My phone is reading 4 bars at the moment.

It has since been updated but there is a link on this page.
https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/wilson-dt4g-desktop-60db-amplifier-kit-460101/