I have a 32 by 40 with 10 foot side wall height steel sided workshop that I get no cell reception inside. On the surface it sounds great to not get calls while I am in my "sanctuary" but I have to be on call for work. Is there a way to get better signal in there?
No cell reception in metal shop
- Thread starter rossddvm
- Start date
MEngineer
Well-known member
If you have internet in your shop you can get a network extender. That way you have your own personal cell tower in your shop.
We live in a polebarn house, wife called Verizon and asked about signal booster, they said $250.00. She said she would call AT&T and see what they charge, all of a sudden they could send it for free. Works perfect. Connected to our internet.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Yep, most carriers have devices that will plug into your internet and create a mini cell area...
If you don't have internet in your building you can also get repeaters, basically you mount one antenna up high outside your building, then run a cable inside to another antenna. All you need is power for that...
If you don't have internet in your building you can also get repeaters, basically you mount one antenna up high outside your building, then run a cable inside to another antenna. All you need is power for that...
mizzoutrover
Well-known member
I don’t need a microcell device in my shop, I set my ATT iPhone to WiFi calling which uses my in shop WiFi signal to place calls
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
I set up a wilson amplifier. Works great.
Majordisorder
Well-known member
I had the same problem. My cell phone got 2 or 3 bars when placed in a window so I purchased a Panasonic answering machine with 3 handsets. The phone on bluetooth transfers the incoming calls to the portable handsets and they work all through the building and outside as well. You do have to check the actual cell phone for messages and texts but I can live with that.
Kpaige
Well-known member
Install a signal booster. It plugs in and is wired to a small antenna you mount outside. It not only brings in the cell signal it will pull in TV and tadio also and rebroadcast it inside. We use them in the power plants for that exact thing.
wcp0611
Well-known member
Not as high tech, but my work upgraded their Motorola hand radios to the newest model and I took four home. They work awesome. I just leave it charging by the door and hook it on whenever I'm out there. Wife likes being able to call me like a trucker.
Bronson
Well-known member
I have a 30x40 steel building with 10 foot sidewalls and spray foam.
My $8 flip phone works just fine inside with no antennae or boosters.
I also have a land line.
Pushing the edge of Technology...
My $8 flip phone works just fine inside with no antennae or boosters.
I also have a land line.
Pushing the edge of Technology...
We do have a few of the Baofeng ham radios that we use if one of us is out on the sideXside in the woods on the six acres.
rburke65
Well-known member
I miss my flip phone......about the size of a Zippo lighter....fit in your pocket. Ya never worried about dropping it. Yep....miss it.
Yep, you betcha. Today's phones are like holding a television to your face.
forgedfromtexas
Member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2007
- Messages
- 10
I am having the same issues in my 24'x30' metal building too. I think I may just trench and drop cat5/6 in PVC and just run a booster off my router.
Mr_fixit
Well-known member
I work in a metal building. When we had Verizon cell service worked fine. Now we have AT&T and reception *****. Unless you stand next to the 1' by 1' window.
So we added a microcell( range extender), where anyone who needs to use the service must be added , to receive the service. Service works fine now. ( I don't know if you have to pay monthly for the service, or buy the unit outright. ) I think our microcell allows only 10 cell numbers to be added.
Problem is if you're outside the building and walk into the building, the call drops. Same thing happens when you're inside and walk outside, call disconnects.
I wish we had Verizon back.
So we added a microcell( range extender), where anyone who needs to use the service must be added , to receive the service. Service works fine now. ( I don't know if you have to pay monthly for the service, or buy the unit outright. ) I think our microcell allows only 10 cell numbers to be added.
Problem is if you're outside the building and walk into the building, the call drops. Same thing happens when you're inside and walk outside, call disconnects.
I wish we had Verizon back.
Bluedodge
Well-known member
Metal ceiling in a conventional stick built garage. 2x4 framing. Drywalled.
My personal phone (Verizon) has no problem.
My work phone (AT&T) ***** donkey ****.
Oldbear
Well-known member
My shop has poor cell signal - but I'm not sure if I want to fix it. More uninterrupted time for those of us in the shop. I'm planning on installing a wifi booster for my code scanner, printer, and camera.
At work, we had to add a cell booster as we need to get receive those phone calls.
At work, we had to add a cell booster as we need to get receive those phone calls.
My Old Tools
Well-known member
Microcell only works if you have decent internet, but will work where no cell service exists. It does use a portion of your bandwidth. Cell repeater works where you have decent cell service outside, but need it inside. It does not require any internet service, and in fact may provide your internet service. Wilson makes and good range of repeaters. Make sure you get one with 4g frequency coverage if you need 4g.
I love my WeBoost cell booster.
0 bars inside a metal building and 2 seconds after plugging in, instant 4 bars and full data speed too.
https://www.weboost.com/boosters/home-office-small
0 bars inside a metal building and 2 seconds after plugging in, instant 4 bars and full data speed too.
https://www.weboost.com/boosters/home-office-small
Mikeske
Well-known member
I have the same issue and I refuse to do anything about it. My garage and I can get cell service if I leave my phone on the bench next to the door which I always leave open. If I forget to leave the door open or take and place the phone near the door thats tough. I also refuse to play any music in my garage and I like it that way.
I spent over 40 years in extreme noise areas and all I want to hear is the engine running, the compressor, the grinder and anything else I am operating at the time. I have a grandson that comes over and the first time he was in my garage and we were working on something he asked me why I don't have a radio and my reply is I do not want anything to distract me so I have no radio and the phone is on the bench in case a phone call comes in. I can normally hear the phone if it rings but any texts I can not hear and when I am finished I pick the phone up and see if if I have a text. No issues for me.
I spent over 40 years in extreme noise areas and all I want to hear is the engine running, the compressor, the grinder and anything else I am operating at the time. I have a grandson that comes over and the first time he was in my garage and we were working on something he asked me why I don't have a radio and my reply is I do not want anything to distract me so I have no radio and the phone is on the bench in case a phone call comes in. I can normally hear the phone if it rings but any texts I can not hear and when I am finished I pick the phone up and see if if I have a text. No issues for me.
I was really worried about losing reception when I decided to go with a steel roof on both the house and the shop. So far the roof hasn't impacted the reception, but I don't have the steel siding on the shop yet, so it might degrade when that goes on. Glad to hear there are some good solutions if it does.
homebuilt burner
Well-known member
I put a ZBoost in my dad’s shop, works great. I just looked $196 at Walmart.