Cell phone booster?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: CT
Cell phone booster?
Does any one have any info on those booster antennas ($25-$40) that stick on the glass? My other option is a Wilson booster, but thay are expensive. I sometimes work in places with poor reception where I have trouble using the phone. Any thoughts/feedback would be great.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: NorCal
I have a Wilson magnetic mount antenna that plugs into my phone and it usually adds 2 bars to my signal which makes a big difference!
I would be leary of the ones that go through the glass, but I haven't used that type so I can't say for sure if they are good or not.
I would be leary of the ones that go through the glass, but I haven't used that type so I can't say for sure if they are good or not.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: northern,california
I have the Wilson amp and antenna. I installed the amp in the glove box and ran the antenna wire to the center consul. I then use velcro to attach it directly to the phone. For the antenna I used the magnetic one and have it directly on the roof of the cab next to the third brake light. I ran the wire through the brake light and then around the upper molding down the pillar to the glove box and amp. For power I have it into the cig lighter. On the socket is a switch so I can turn on and off the amp without the key on if needed. It has a light on the switch so I know when it is on or off. It really helps a great deal getting reception. When I only get one bar on the phone I turn on the amp and will get three bars and good reception. I can now get reception in places I couldn't before. How I justify the cost is I use my phone in case there is an emergency and I go to some remote areas that don't have good cell service.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
To stay on topic, I have used the glass mount booster for my previous cell phones and they have always worked for me and I never have had a problem with them.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
Get a magnetic mount antenna and the proper coax connector for your phone instead. They work much better in marginal areas.
Under ideal conditions the cell phone boosters work well, but what happens most of the time is the signal hits the antenna, then gets redirected to the inside antenna and to your phone....but that signal is now out of phase with the signal going directly to your phone. Instead of increasing the signal, you're now subtracting from it when the two signals are mixed.
Passive repeaters like that only work well when you can redirect a signal into an area where the signal does not exist (like a building).
Glass mount antennas are not as bad as people will tell you. GM uses them for Onstar, they work well. They are a good alternative to drilling a hole or a magnetic mount. The glass is transparent to RF energy and the antenna passes most of the RF engergy right through it.
Under ideal conditions the cell phone boosters work well, but what happens most of the time is the signal hits the antenna, then gets redirected to the inside antenna and to your phone....but that signal is now out of phase with the signal going directly to your phone. Instead of increasing the signal, you're now subtracting from it when the two signals are mixed.
Passive repeaters like that only work well when you can redirect a signal into an area where the signal does not exist (like a building).
Glass mount antennas are not as bad as people will tell you. GM uses them for Onstar, they work well. They are a good alternative to drilling a hole or a magnetic mount. The glass is transparent to RF energy and the antenna passes most of the RF engergy right through it.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 853
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From: northern,california
Off topic. I haul my horse every weekend but not to horse shows. I do long distance trail riding. (non competitive endurance riding) So The use of the phone is to call the vet or worse an ambulance. But mostly to call the wife and tell her I will be late for diner.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: northern,california
Get a magnetic mount antenna and the proper coax connector for your phone instead. They work much better in marginal areas.
Under ideal conditions the cell phone boosters work well, but what happens most of the time is the signal hits the antenna, then gets redirected to the inside antenna and to your phone....but that signal is now out of phase with the signal going directly to your phone. Instead of increasing the signal, you're now subtracting from it when the two signals are mixed.
Passive repeaters like that only work well when you can redirect a signal into an area where the signal does not exist (like a building).
Glass mount antennas are not as bad as people will tell you. GM uses them for Onstar, they work well. They are a good alternative to drilling a hole or a magnetic mount. The glass is transparent to RF energy and the antenna passes most of the RF engergy right through it.
Under ideal conditions the cell phone boosters work well, but what happens most of the time is the signal hits the antenna, then gets redirected to the inside antenna and to your phone....but that signal is now out of phase with the signal going directly to your phone. Instead of increasing the signal, you're now subtracting from it when the two signals are mixed.
Passive repeaters like that only work well when you can redirect a signal into an area where the signal does not exist (like a building).
Glass mount antennas are not as bad as people will tell you. GM uses them for Onstar, they work well. They are a good alternative to drilling a hole or a magnetic mount. The glass is transparent to RF energy and the antenna passes most of the RF engergy right through it.
I don't quite understand this. It is my understanding that the outside antenna receives the signal sends it to the amp and magnifies the signal and then sends it to the phone. There are different setups that you can get there is the wireless one that has another antenna inside the vehicle and can be used with multiple phones. Then there ones that connects directly to the phone. These are better and give a much better signal.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by tazo
I haul my horse every weekend but not to horse shows. I do long distance trail riding. (non competitive endurance riding) So The use of the phone is to call the vet or worse an ambulance. But mostly to call the wife and tell her I will be late for diner.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: northern,california
The wireless ones are more susceptive to interruptions from other thing then the ones that are directly plugged in. I have had both(and still have the wireless one out of convenience more then anything) and the one that is/was directly plugged in got the better signal.
I do that every now and then mainly to give the ***** a break from the show circuit. I swear I have one horse that loves competition as much as I do. She is always willing to try to outrun another horse.
I do that every now and then mainly to give the ***** a break from the show circuit. I swear I have one horse that loves competition as much as I do. She is always willing to try to outrun another horse.
There is nothing like a good horse that will give you her all. My big thoroughbred loves to run. At 19 years old he will still do 16 miles in two hours. It's such a rush!
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