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