Cellular Antennas / Power Booster - Options

There are many options to improving your wireless signal. Here's what we've found the most effective for different types of antennas phones and networks. If you're not sure of the type of phone network you're on or having reception problems in, please contact your service provider.

1900MHz Digital PCS Cell Phones & Networks
If you're having reception problems in 1900MHz Digital PCS areas, we recommend one of the following:

MicroMagmount Cell Phone Antenna: For more portable use, the MicroMagmount antenna is very effective in metropolitan areas where large buildings may block your signal. It's small (about 3" tall) and easy to move from place to place. We also recommend purchasing the "Sputnik" ground plane if you plan to use it away from your car such as in your home or office.

3db Gain Dual Band Cell Phone Antenna: This is usually the most effective antenna in 1900MHz digital areas. It's a larger antenna (10" - 14" tall) which comes with a magnetic base or glass mount. This antenna will increase your range in more open areas. If you plan to use it away from the car, we recommend providing a ground plane such as setting the antenna on a piece of metal, filing cabinet or metallic tape. Glass mount antennas should be used on cars, trucks and vans only. The glass chosen to mount this antenna on should be non tinted and not contain metals which can reduce it's effectiveness.

Twin Dual Band Cell Phone Antenna: This is a small glass mount antenna. This antenna will increase your range in more metro areas.

For more information and to purchase cell phone antenna, visit our cell phone antenna web site.

Analog and Digital Cellular (800MHz) Phones & Networks
If you're having reception problems in 800MHz range Analog (Cellular) or Digital Cellular areas, we recommend our:

MicroMagmount Cell Phone Antenna: It's very effective in metropolitan areas where large buildings may block your signal. It's small and easy to move from place to place. We also recommend purchasing the "Sputnik" ground plane if you plan to use it away from your car such as in your home or office.

5db Gain Cell Phone Antenna: This is our most popular and effective antenna. It's a little large (about 2 ft.) and comes with a magnetic base or glass mount. This antenna will increase your range in more wide open, flat rural areas and is great for the traveler. If you plan to use it away from the car, we recommend providing a ground plane such as setting the antenna on a piece of metal or metallic tape. If you plan to use it away from the car, we recommend providing a ground plane with magnetic mounts such as setting the antenna on a piece of metal, filing cabinet or metallic tape. Glass mount antennas should be used on cars, trucks and vans only. The glass chosen to mount this antenna on should be non tinted and not contain metals which can reduce it's effectiveness.

3db Gain Cell Phone Antenna: If the 7db gain antenna is too tall, select this antenna. It also comes with a magnetic base or glass mount. This antenna will increase your range in more open areas. If you plan to use it away from the car, we recommend providing a ground plane such as setting the antenna on a piece of metal, filing cabinet or metallic tape. Glass mount antennas should be used on cars, trucks and vans only. The glass chosen to mount this antenna on should be non tinted and not contain metals which can reduce it's effectiveness.

Yagi Cell Phone Antenna: We recommend this antenna only for more remote areas. It's not a easy to install and set up as other antennas. It's a directional antenna so it must be mounted permanently on a pole. You'll have to play around with aiming it in the direction that gives you the best results.

For more information and to purchase cell phone antenna, visit our cell phone antenna web site.

With the newer dual band and multi-network phones, keep in mind where you're having reception problems. Your phone may be able to work on 2 or 3 different networks, but you want an antenna that will give you the best improvement where you're having the most trouble. Dual band antennas cover both bands however if you're having reception problems in a rural, analog areas, the 7db gain antenna will greatly out perform the dual band antenna.

RVers
We have many customers that travel about the US in RVs. Most of these motorhomes do not have metal roofs which could act as a ground plane for their antenna. We have a couple of suggestions.

First, consider an 800MHz analog antenna. Although your phone my work in 1900MHz digital areas, you're not likely to find these areas in rural areas where you may need your phone the most. An analog only antenna will out perform a dual band antenna in analog areas. Choose the 5db gain antenna for best results but remember they are about 24 inches tall. If you use your phone with your computer to access the Internet, your phone probabley switches to analog mode once connected to a computer cable.

Not having a metal roof leaves you 3 options.

1. Create a ground plane by mounting your antenna on a piece of metal about 8 inches x 8 inches. You can use a magnetic mount or hole mount antenna. We also have bracket mount and a mirror/pole mount.

2. Use a hole, bracket or mirror/pole mount base and use a "No Ground" elevated feed point antenna which have a built in ground plane.

3. Use a magnetic mount antenna and place it on some type of ground plane inside the RV. The walls of the RV may block some of the signal by you should still be able to see a considerable improvement over you phone's antenna.

4. Many of our RVer customers are very happy with the MicroMag antenna. It's much more portable than the larger antennas and very effective.

RV Signal Improvement

Home or Office
Many times you can use your phone outside your home but not inside. If you need just a little help, consider the MicroMagnetic antenna kit. Set the MicroMag Antenna close to a window and you should see a good improvement in signal strength. The MicroMag is also small and more portable than other options.

If you need a lot of help such as you get no signal or you cannot make a call at all, you might want to consider a larger antenna. Most cellular and digital antennas are manufactured for use on cars and trucks. The car or truck acts a ground plane for the antenna. To get the most from your antenna, you should supply a ground surface if using the antenna away from the vehicle. Many of our customers have had good success using these car antennas inside their home without a ground plane but we recommend providing a ground plane such as putting the antenna on top of a piece of metal (12 inches x 12 inches would be fine) and placing outside or near a window. If you're in an 800MHz Analog or 800MHz Digital consider a 3 or 5 db gain cellular antenna. If the 5db gain doesn't help, consider a Yagi directional antenna. The Yagi is harder to install and adjust but are more effective in rural areas where you have direct line of site with your service providers cell tower. If you're in a 1900MHz digital area, consider a dual band antenna such as our Larsen 3db gain dual band antenna.