Anyone have experience with cell signal boosting antennae?

singemonkey

We live in an old Victorian house with appalling reception. Even in the best parts of the house/back garden, the signal is super-choppy. Now Aparna's working on a new film and she's getting calls constantly and having to stand very still in a corner of the room and apologise a lot.

We have no landline (and are not inclined to get one FU very much Telcom). I just read the wikipedia article on signal boosting antennae that says, in a nutshell, to be effective they need to be external and directional (you can orient them towards the strongest signal source.

Anyone got any ideas about what the best route to go?

Tonedef

The internal booster (the one you place inside isn't directional), though.

Maybe look on Ellies' website? Maybe they have a product that can help you.

Norman86

Poynting direct ?

http://www.antennas.co.za/products

They have a whole range of products, so you will need to see what will suit your needs and budget!

I am looking at getting something similar in the near future too, as the SO in potch has appalling reception in her new place so you can hardly get hold of her... So im not too happy about that!

You might need something like the big boss antennae option!
However, you will also need the cable, and the phone coupler!

But get hold of them, and let them give you a quote ?

singemonkey

Ok. But how does it work. I mount the antenna on the roof, run a cable inside, and what happens then between the antenna and my phone? Is there a little device to broadcast the enhanced signal throughout the house?

Norman86

Yeah, there is a phone coupler device...

http://www.antennas.co.za/products/couplers
http://www.poyntingdirect.co.za/pADPT-022/Adapter-cable-for-any-Cellphone-to-Antenna---FME-m.aspx

It doesnt physically attach to the phone, it just needs to be near it!
(From my understanding)

I have spoken to poynting before, but not regarding the phone coupler, actually about the usb modem coupler!
so im not too clued up on how the phone coupler works!

But the guys are very friendly!
So send them a mail or give them a call, their details are on site!

singemonkey

Hmm. A bit inconvenient that you have to hold it up to the phone. I'd have thought it'd be a little like my wireless internet router or something.

Norman86

Im not sure if the window mount antennae works like that...
If there IS a device that works like that, its sure to be expensive...
Thing is, they aren't allowed to repeat the signals, only amplify them!

a private person isnt allowed to own a repeater according to icasa and the sa cellphone operators!

Jack-Flash-Jr

Your reception isn't that bad, maybe spruce up with a couple of paintings and a pot plant...
...
...
Father in law tried to use one of these to boost 3g for net... works ok but not magnificient... Aparna is going to have to stand in the corner of the room where the lead comes in and stand with the phone on the coupler anyway. Maybe she should try the other major provider? Tower might be an issue...

singemonkey

Jack Flash Jr wrote Your reception isn't that bad, maybe spruce up with a couple of paintings and a pot plant...
...
...
Father in law tried to use one of these to boost 3g for net... works ok but not magnificient... Aparna is going to have to stand in the corner of the room where the lead comes in and stand with the phone on the coupler anyway. Maybe she should try the other major provider? Tower might be an issue...

So that's the only way these things work? That sucks. Such a mission to change providers. First I must ask someone with a contract with the other ~~thieves~~ provider whether they get decent reception in our place.

Norman86

Yeah, unfortunately! You may only amplify, not repeat the signal!

So, The only other options you have are to build your own repeater, which is probably possible, as it would need to work on the same principle of a wi fi router, but you would still need an amplified signal coming in...

or, if the signal from a competitor network is better, to get a pre paid number, and divert the calls from your SO's number to the prepaid number!
But tha will only work if she is receiving calls, not necessarily making calls :-\

Jack-Flash-Jr

singemonkey wrote
Jack Flash Jr wrote Your reception isn't that bad, maybe spruce up with a couple of paintings and a pot plant...
...
...
Father in law tried to use one of these to boost 3g for net... works ok but not magnificient... Aparna is going to have to stand in the corner of the room where the lead comes in and stand with the phone on the coupler anyway. Maybe she should try the other major provider? Tower might be an issue...
So that's the only way these things work? That sucks. Such a mission to change providers. First I must ask someone with a contract with the other ~~thieves~~ provider whether they get decent reception in our place.

Might also be the phone antenna... is her phone locked to a network? Just buy a R1 sim card and try it out. If necessary you can convert number to the other network or keep a "work" phone for her. Or move... ?

singemonkey

Norman86 wrote Yeah, unfortunately! You may only amplify, not repeat the signal!

Ah. So it's one of those, living-in-the-idiocracy things then, is it?

It's not just her phone. It's mine too and many other phones we've had. The old house just eats the reception. Several others in our area are the same. Build myself a repeater? Should I do that before or after I clone a dinosaur from a chicken? ?

Norman86

singemonkey wrote
Norman86 wrote Yeah, unfortunately! You may only amplify, not repeat the signal!
Ah. So it's one of those, living-in-the-idiocracy things then, is it?

It's not just her phone. It's mine too and many other phones we've had. The old house just eats the reception. Several others in our area are the same. Build myself a repeater? Should I do that before or after I clone a dinosaur from a chicken? ?

Haha, You could be very capable of that! I havent been here long enough to know! lol!
But yeah, then a long cable with an attachment to your phone is the only way! Much cheaper than moving! ?

Jack-Flash-Jr

What does this say:

Now do it.

singemonkey

science =/= engineering >☹