Cell phone reception in pole barn

[HiItsMeJimmy]

I have a 40x64 post frame building with metal sides, roof, etc and interior walls /ceiling finished in metal. I can't get a cell phone signal to save my life. Any type of booster I could add??

 

[innealtoir]

Word is those Wilson cell phone boosters work okay. If you have inet you could get one of those repeaters that use your inet connection to relay your cell signal.

 

[Rookie2]

do a search on here, there are indoor amps or antenna's you can buy.

 

[RedBKM]

As mentioned, try Wilson. They work pretty well in my experience. No 4G support the last time I checked though.

http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/store/display/178/46/ag-soho-65

 

[andgott]

I have a Uniden booster that I got from these people-

http://cellularbooster.com/

Where I live, we had a weak signal, and dropped calls constantly inside the house. I called them, and they locate where the towers are relative to you, and ask you some questions about geography in the area, etc, then give you some options as to boosters and antennas. There is a unidirectional antenna outside, on the roof, that points to the local cell tower, an amplifier inside the house, and a small antenna inside the house.

It works VERY well. I use two different cell providers (Work phone and personal), and my Verizon signal went from weak 1-2 bars and frequent dropped calls to full 5 bars and never a drop. My AT&T went from no signal to 2-3 bars.

It was a bit pricey ($300-$400 range, I think), but does what I need it to. Might be overkill for what you need, though.

Oh- One more thing- I was able to get the cell phone company to 'help' with the purchase, since the signal was so bad in my area even though the coverage map showed it was good. The only option they could offer was a repeater that hooked up to my internet service, which is NOT an option for me since I'm on Satellite internet and can't use that kind of bandwidth. They gave me 2 $80 bill credits to help out. It doesn't hurt to ask- Especially if you are nice about it!

-Andrew

 

[Lil Toe]

I live in my shop and when we changed our plans around a few months back and got rid of the house phone, we realized how bad it was. Since we needed voice 3G/4G and LTE for the data on the phones and tablet, we got this set:

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...ireless-extender-for-use-with-att-lte-and-aws

Yes, it's expensive, but less than 2yrs worth of what I was paying for home phone service pays for it.

Did run the upgraded cable for both. It worked so good, my brother is getting the voice booster for Xmas (he has wifi from the cable company for his data).

 

[NHBandit]

I have no cellphone reception or wireless internet connection inside my shop but great signals if I have all the doors open or I step outside. Being in a giant metal box is the problem. I'm looking into inexpensive solutions myself.

 

[Suede57ford]

I have two simaliar 40x80 metal buildings I work in. One has some skylights and my phone always works good, even inthe paint booth. My newest building is also 40x80 and has no skylights and my phone will not unless a door is open. I may have to add a couple skylights to the new place to get my phone to work. I didn't want ot put any skylights or windows in the new building, as I didn't want people to know when I am there at night and skylights let in some UV which can fade some interior items on my car collection.

 

[kams1973]

I stay in a skid mount, metal clad trailer during my week at work, and my work is in some "remote" locations. I will usually have a weak signal outside the trailer, and no signal inside it. I now have a Wilson booster. They work, and in my opinion, are worth every penny they cost.

 

[Dale Leeds]

Couldn't you just go outside to make a call?

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 for Wilson Electronics for cell signal booster if you must use cellphone inside the pole barn.

Cheaper alternative might be running hardwire ethernet connection so you can run Magic Jack Plus "landline" phone. Once your landline for MJ+ is out there, then typical cordless phone would work great all around the pole barn. Up front cost would be quickly offset with $20 / YEAR (ie if you buy 5 yrs service) or $30 / YEAR for the Magic Jack Plus annual renewals.

 

[Bobdog]

I get almost zero cell signal in my house....2 bars in the yard on Verizon.

I ordered the Verizon Femtocell (repeater that goes in your house and works over the internet), it was a $350 boat anchor. I sent it back and ordered a cell amplifier from Amazon for $275 that was supposed to be a good one, same result and I sent it back too.

Hopefully you have better results, but in my experience, there's not much you can do unless you're going to spend some long green to have a pro come out and install something that actually works.

 

[kj_mustang]

You have to match the type of cell repeater to the signal that your carrier uses. Here is a decent web site on cell repeaters.
http://www.ubersignal.com/cell-phone-signal-booster-guide

 

[RickP]

If you have internet in the barn, I've had great results with a femto cell.

My coverage is bad at home, so Sprint gave it to me for free.

 

[Lil Toe]

Couldn't you just go outside to make a call?

It's 5F here this morning, you really wanna go outside to make a call?

The repeaters only help if you have good signal outside, they can't boost a non existent signal. Because of how high I was able to mount our antennas we usually have at least as good if not better reception inside than out. (live in a valley)

 

[1jeepfan]

I used the ZBoost Trio with 4G. A little over $300 I think. Worked great in my all metal shop.

 

[Fueler]

I have a pole barn. Also had to go the Wilson route.

 

[My Old Tools]

+2 for Wilson repeaters, and yes they are 4G now.

 

[sberry]

Do we got a model number?

 

[nehog]

Before anything else, check to see if your phone supports WiFi calling! I use that in my garage with my S7 (on Verizon), and it works perfectly. Calls inside are better quality than outdoors. Best part: it is free!

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Before anything else, check to see if your phone supports WiFi calling! I use that in my garage with my S7 (on Verizon), and it works perfectly. Calls inside are better quality than outdoors. Best part: it is free!

This. I have a wifi AP in the shop and my phone uses wifi calling. Perfect signal.

 

[My Old Tools]

https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/single-room-kits/

 

[ctgoodman]

Before anything else, check to see if your phone supports WiFi calling! I use that in my garage with my S7 (on Verizon), and it works perfectly. Calls inside are better quality than outdoors. Best part: it is free!

Agreed. If you have this then no other hardware or cost is necessary.

 

[planecrazy]

+1 on WiFi calling. Works great!

 

[wake74]

I have installed a number of Wilson boosters over the last few years on large PEMB structures in fairly rural areas. Several clients had significant complaints about cell phone reception, after we built their new facilities. No complaints after the install.

This is the model we typically install. It's multi-band, multi-carier, etc. It says it's good for up to 7,500 SF, but we've put only one of them in bigger buildings, but those buildings were fairly open on the inside.

https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/weboost-connect-4g-x-cell-phone-signal-booster-kit-471104/

 

[redsand187]

I had a AT&T microcell in my commercial warehouse. Before I got the microcell, I'd drop calls, and went back and forth between 1-2 bars. After I added the microcell, it was perfect. covered 2000+ square feet plus 800 of second floor, all from the furthest corner. AT&T gave it to me for free.

 

[dadsEH]

My shed is a virtual Faraday cage....lol. Just the way I like it.

 

[samkumar]

Pole barns are notorious for cell phone signal, however once the signal is brought in thru cable then that signal is going to be inside the barn due to the Faraday's cage effect.