USB Cellphone Booster

mathiass · #1 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 02:04 AM

I was just curious if anybody has used one of these, or something similar, and if it worked well? would the minimal power from the usb port actually be enough to boost a cellphone signal "2-3 bars"?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cell-phone/b8a0/

timdawgdentist · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 05:39 AM

I am in no way an expert. This looks like it would help a broadband card maybe. I couldn't figure out from the pictures how it would help your phone. 100 bucks is kinda expensive for something that doesn't make sense visually or logically.

my two cents...
timdawg

**shaggylive** · #3 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 06:47 AM

no, it's just a booster so you can put the antenna in a window (up to 15ft) and get a good solid signal within ~5ft of the usb side.

hippy43 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathiass

I was just curious if anybody has used one of these, or something similar, and if it worked well? would the minimal power from the usb port actually be enough to boost a cellphone signal "2-3 bars"?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cell-phone/b8a0/

Looks like a minuture version of a cellphone signal repeater. We used the big ones to get cell reception in a basement at my last job. THOSE worked very well. No idea about something like this.
Notice it was marked out of stock and "This product is not available for purchase at this time." Wonder if they had issues with them?

mathiass · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hippy43

We used the big ones..

Haha my college could use the "big ones"for the Central Library.. as far as I can tell, the only carrier with signal in almost the entire 6-story building is tmo (not sure about 5th and 6th tho I don't go up there much). "Big ones" would light-up that building in a jiffy!

One of these would be nice for stormchasing to help get a boost in the middle of nowhere, I might just have to muster the 100 (if it's available) and give it a shot in the spring and post my experiences with it

brack21 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 08:41 PM

Here is some reviews on it. http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphon.../dp/B001ASV7RQ

YANKEEFAN01 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 09:54 PM

We have one at work, or had one, and it made every cell phone's reception horrible, except for the iphone, which switched from horrible to decent after the booster. Go figure

**orangekid** · #8 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 03:07 PM

Wow, maybe if someone actually tests this thing, I wouldn't bet much stock on it though.

mjstallion · #9 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009, 03:33 PM

I had one and it didn't work. Worked as well as those booster stickers you stick on your battery.