Cell phone repeaters any good?

broadwayblues · #1 (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 12:33 AM

Long story short, when I moved in with my wife when we got married I went from Broadband to nothing. I use my Verizon USB 727 modem for internet, but not only do I have 1-2 bars on a good day on my deck, I am on an Alltel tower that will be switched to Verizon "soon, but we can't say when."

I am really thinking about getting this to boost our cell signal: I priced this much cheaper on amazon.com, and newegg.com.

I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with this kind of product. All the reviews I looked at say it actually works, just wanted another opinion before I drop some money on it.

Also is there any word on the Verizon tower situation? I am sick of roaming at home and downloading files for hours. When travel back to VZW 3G areas things download so much quicker, and I can actually play World of Warcraft.

Thanks in advance.

zim2704 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-27-2009, 10:55 PM

I do satellite installations all over western kansas and well there is nothing out there and very little cell phone coverage. But i did go to one customers house that was in a valley and standing outside phone in the air I might get 1 bar but it would drop as soon as I moved over a foot. He had what looked like that exact one hanging in his living room and i was able to talk on the phone through-out his house no problems......1 bar solid signal. So i would say they work good for voice but can't say anything about data because i didn't use my phone for that when i was there.

krnfrk6663 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 01:09 AM

What's it going to hurt if it has a return policy? If I had the money I'd do it just to tell you. lol I could use something like this at home myself. Let me know if you end up buying.

4wheelfurry · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 03:55 PM

I have one. I got a Wilson SOHO repeater through the repeater store.com It was a bit costly but I wanted a really good one. I got the yagi antenna for outside and a pannel antenna for inside with 100' cable outside and 30' inside. It is able to run two inside antennas which I plan to do (my house is prety big).

Before; I could barley talk outside, 1 to 0 bars. With the repeater running I have 2-3 bars inside the house and if I get by the antenna it goes to full 5. Outside in the yard reception is good to until I get out of range of the repeater. I have the outside antenna on a 50' pole pointing tward the nearest EVDO tower, the tower is 9miles away and I have a clear shot to it.

My SOHO is dual band, I am on Sprint, the GSM 850 band has a greater reach so my kids AT&T phones have 5 bars everywhere in the house and 1-2 in the yard (the cell towers are beside each other 9mi away)

I have had my repeater setup for over a year and the performance has been great, no fade ect. It has made us able to use our cels in the house without issue and that is worth the investment IMO

My only advise I can give is if you are going to get one go on and get a good one. The investment is more but I have friends that bought the cheeper ones (after seeing mine) and theirs have poorer performance than mine

broadwayblues · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4wheelfurry

I have one. I got a Wilson SOHO repeater through the repeater store.com It was a bit costly but I wanted a really good one. I got the yagi antenna for outside and a pannel antenna for inside with 100' cable outside and 30' inside. It is able to run two inside antennas which I plan to do (my house is prety big).

Before; I could barley talk outside, 1 to 0 bars. With the repeater running I have 2-3 bars inside the house and if I get by the antenna it goes to full 5. Outside in the yard reception is good to until I get out of range of the repeater. I have the outside antenna on a 50' pole pointing tward the nearest EVDO tower, the tower is 9miles away and I have a clear shot to it.

My SOHO is dual band, I am on Sprint, the GSM 850 band has a greater reach so my kids AT&T phones have 5 bars everywhere in the house and 1-2 in the yard (the cell towers are beside each other 9mi away)

I have had my repeater setup for over a year and the performance has been great, no fade ect. It has made us able to use our cels in the house without issue and that is worth the investment IMO

My only advise I can give is if you are going to get one go on and get a good one. The investment is more but I have friends that bought the cheeper ones (after seeing mine) and theirs have poorer performance than mine

Thanks for the reply. I am wondering how you got the antenna up on a 50 foot pole. I am wondering if I need the extra antenna, I have 1-2 bars outside, but only on our deck. That is where I was going to install the antenna. I should get my student refund check in mid-september. I will be sure to post my review when I get it.

**psycho_maniac** · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 03:31 AM

what one did you get?

4wheelfurry · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psycho_maniac

what one did you get?

If you are asking me, I got a Wilson brand SOHO repeater.

Quote:

I am wondering how you got the antenna up on a 50 foot pole. I am wondering if I need the extra antenna

I had a long metal pole, I mounted the antenna while lying on the ground and stood it up and mounted it against the house. The yagi antenna is for outside to receive the cell tower signal. Just point the antenna toward the nearest tower. The interior antenna sends the amplified signal throught the house (non directional)