Home > FAQs / Help Center > Wilson Electronics Cellular Antenna & Amplifier

Electronics Cellular Antenna & Amplifier FAQ

STEP ONE

FIND OUT WHICH CARRIER YOU ARE AND WHAT FREQUENCY RANGE YOU'RE IN

VERIZON WIRELESS	System: 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, 799 MHz (future) Technology: CDMA, CDMA2000 1 x EV-DO
T-MOBILE	System: 1900 MHz, 1.7/2.1 GHz (future) Technology: GSM / GPRS
AT&T	System: 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, 1.7/2.1 GHz (future) Technology: GSM / GPRS, EDGE, UMTS / HSDPA
SPRINT	System: 1900 MHz Technology: CDMA, CDMA2000 1x EV-DO
NEXTEL	System: SMR Technology: iDEN
METRO PCS	System: 1900 MHz, 1.7/2.1 GHz (future) Technology: CDMA
QUALCOMM	System: 700 MHz (future) Technology: MediaFLO

CONFUSED ABOUT SEPARATION - CHECK OUT THE TABLE BELOW

dB GAIN	APPLICABLE LOCATION	SEPARATION
20 dB	Car, boat, RV & more	2 feet**
40 - 45 dB	Car, personal work space, RV,boat & more	40 - 45 feet**
50 dB	Office, Home & more	55 - 60 feet**
60 dB	Home, office, building & more	75+ feet**

*(minimum requirement of separation)
**(some amplifiers already come with a cable and some do not)

Q: What is the minimum level of signal for a cell phone to be able to make a call?
A: It would depend on your cell phone, but the typical value is -95 dBm.

Q: What the co-relationship between bars & dbm value?
A: Bars is the 'everyday language' which cell phone users use to determine how strong the signal is. dBm is the 'scientific term' used when describing signal strength. All though -90 dBm typically is one bar or less. –70 dbm is 3 or 4 bars.

Q: Is the amplifier really worth the cost?
A: Yes, an amplifer is very much worth the price because it does boost your cell phone reeption by 30% - 100%.

Q: How much does an amplifer help in a system?
A: Amplifers help rapidly and instantly. You can have just 1 bar of reception, but with the help of an Amplifier, the signals can be boosted up to 3-4 bars of improvement.

Q: Do all ampliferis work with all carriers?
A: All Amplifiers have its own connection so it is best to check compatibility on the amplifier. But most amplifers work with all carriers except for Nextel.

Q: Is wireless or wired better?
A: A wired amplifier would be better due to the noises in the air which affects signal much more than it does from noises/heat/interferance from a wire.

Q: Where is the best location for installation?
A: The best location for installing an amplifier is an open area with as litter interference from walls. This way, your connection will not be distracted.

Q: In order to use Cellphone-Mate amplifier, what’s the minimum requirement of level of signal on top of my roof?
A: Find a spot on your rooftop to where you can make cell phone calls.

Q: Do I have to have any bars on top of my roof before I can use Cellphone-Mate repeater?
A: No, even if your cell phone has no bars, you can still got a good enough signal level, like -90 dbm, which is good enough to make a call and use our repeaters.

Q: If I use CM100 instead of the magnetic antenna come with the CM2000-WL 45 dB package, how many more dB would I get?
A: You would get 6 dB, because CM100 is 9 dB dual band, while the little magnetic antenna only have 3 dB gain, the difference is 6 dB.

Q: My dome antenna is only 3 dB, while my panel antenna is 7 to 10 dB, should I always go for panel antenna?
A: Remember, all antennas are passive. In order to obtain gains on one direction, the other direction would be much sacrificed, so the higher the gain goes, it is not always a better thing. Dome antennas gives you much broader coverage because of the overall direction in the room, while a panel would give you much higher gain ONLY in the direction the front side is facing to.

Q: What if I don’t have enough space for required separation? Is there a required length of cable that should be used?
A: The other option would be to go vertical because vertical separation is much more effective than horizontal one, by install outdoor antenna high up, you will be able to get away with less separation than required. However, there is no required length of cable for an Amplifier to be active and most times a standard cable comes with the purchase unless you are purchasing the amplifier by itself. Each model has its own different length of cable. The chart above the is recommanded cable length separation depending on the dB strength of the amplifier.

Q: Are those separation requirement listed in the table very strict?
A: No, they are all rule of thumbs, people can get away with much less separations. Material of building, vertical separation, different way of installation, all could make a difference.

Q: After I install the 45 dB repeater, I can only see bar improvement within several feet, what do I do?
A: First, put cell phone in test mode, you will be able to see accurate improvement on receiving signal strength, bar only give you very rough idea, not accurate at all. Second, the coverage area you can get depends on how strong of the signal to begin with, if more coverage area is needed, you can always upgrade to CM800/CM1900 55 dB, 60 dB, or even 65 dB building repeaters, which will guarantee to work in your case.

DB VALUE (A DIFFERENCE B/W 2 SIGNALS)	MEANING
0 dB	1 times: two signal are same strength
3 dB	2 times or double
5 dB	3 times or triple.
8 dB	6 times (double then triple: 3dB+5dB)
10 dB	10 times.
20 dB	100 times
30 dB	1000 times.
40 dB	10,000 times
50 dB	100,000 times.
60 dB	1,000,000 times.
65 dB	3,000,000 times.

Basically, the system transfer multiplication operation into addition/subtraction, make life much easier.
From the table, some of the interesting and useful facts are:

1. Every 3 dB difference means double once.
2. Every 5 dB difference means triple once.
3. Cellphone-Mate CM800 65 dB counts for 3 units of Wilson 60 dB since it has 5 dB more gain, it’s just physics

For more information regarding In-Building and Vehicle Amplifiers, click
Wilson In-Building Amplifiers or Wilson Vehicle Amplifiers

 

Wilson In-Building Cellular Amplifier / Repeater with Smart Technology

 

1. How do I know which model is right for my cell phone? 

There are several factors to consider when selection the right amplifier/repeater for your situation.

1. What cellular service frequency range is your building located in? The best Amplifier/Repeater systems are network frequency specific. Wilson Electronics makes amplifier / repeaters for 824-894MHz range or Nextel (806-866MHz) networks. A 1900MHz range system will be available soon. You can find out the frequency range your building is located in by contacting your cellular service provider or checking with your local cellular service dealer.
2. Signal strength outside your building
3. Inside area coverage required

For more information, Please visit Accessorygeeks' Forum 

2. How Much Improvement Will I Get?

With a few calculations, you can get a very good idea of the improved cellular coverage area (distance from inside antenna) within your building. We have provided the following documents to help you calculate coverage area and to help you in the purchase and installation of your Wilson Amplifier/Repeater. (Note: A new browser window will open for the links below.) Contact us if you have questions or need additional help estimating coverage area.

Step 1. Get Relative Signal Strength Reading
Put your cell phone into test mode and get a Relative Signal Strength Level (RSSL) reading outside the building. Use the pdf document "Standard Phone Test Modes " which has instructions for putting a cell phone into test mode and reading relative signal strength. If your phone is not listed in this document or you need additional help getting a RSSL reading, contact Wilson Electronics tech support for help at 866-294-6996

Step 2. Estimate Antenna / Cabling Needs
Decide on which outside (Wilson Yagi recommended) and inside antennas you will be using. Estimate where you will locate the outside antenna, amplifier/repeater (located near an AC outlet) and inside antennas. Calculate the cable lengths required to connect the outside antenna with the amplifier/repeater. Concrete or metal interior walls will block the signal transmitted by inside antennas so determine if additional inside antennas and a splitter might be required. Sheet rock and studs (wood or metal) should not effect signal much if any. Calculate the cable lengths required to connect the inside antennas (and splitters if required) to the amplifier/repeater. See antenna recommendations in the "Check List" below.

Step 3. Calculate Coverage Area
Using the formula:

Signal Strength = Amp Gain + RSSL + Cable Factor + Splitter Factor + Antenna Factor

calculate Signal Strength and use chart in the document "Finding Coverage Area For Wilson Amplifier / Repeaters" to determine approximate coverage area (distance from interior antenna.  Cable, Splitter and Antenna factors are also located in the document "Finding Coverage Area For Wilson Amplifier / Repeaters". Use this guide to determine estimated coverage area using Wilson amplifier / repeaters. It provides the formula for estimating coverage considering factors such as relative signal strength outside of building, length and type of cable, antenna type and splitters used. These PDF files will open in a new window.

For more information, Please visit Accessorygeeks' Forum

3. How to install a Wilson Amplifier/Repeater?

Follow our Installation Guide for installing a Wilson Amplifier/Repeater . For more help, Please visit Accessorygeeks' Forum or Contact Accessorygeeks.com For more information about Wilson Amplifier/Repeater, Read Brochure
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Wilson Amplifier / Repeater is used in locations where the signal from your service provider is strong outside a building or vehicle but weak inside the building. It's used where the wireless signal is blocked by the building walls or roof. If your signal is weak outside of your building, consider a power booster or antenna that connects directly to your phone for better results

For more information, Please visit Accessorygeeks' Forum

Wilson Vehicle Cellular Amplifier / Repeater with Smart Technology

1. How do I know which model is right for my cell phone? 

There are 3 different  Wilson Vehicle Amplifier / Repeater.

1. Dual Band Amplifier / Repeater
   Select the Wilson Dual Band 800/1900MHz AMPS 37db In Vehicle Amplifier (AM801201) for in vehicle use on 824-894 MHz and 1850-1990 MHz range cellular networks.
   

   Specifications Frequency 824-894 MHz / 1850-1990 MHz Gain (up/down) 40db / 40db Linear Power Output +30 dBm Max Output Power 3 Watts (Cell Site Controlled) Max RF Up/Down +35 dBm / +10 dBm Noise Figure Typical 3 db nominal Isolation Uplink/Downlink more than 90 dB Power Requirements 12 V, .5-1.5 (subject to Uplink power) Connectors FME-Male 50 Ohms Dimensions 4.5 x 3.5 x 1.25 (inch) or 11.43 x 8.9 x 3.2 (cm) Weight 1.5 lbs or 0.7 kg

2. Cellular 800MHz Range AMPS Amplifier /Repeater
   Select the Wilson 800MHz AMPS 37db In Vehicle Amplifier (AM801101) for in vehicle use on 800MHz range (824-894MHz) cellular networks.
   
   

   Specifications Frequency 824-849 MHz Uplink 869-894 MHz Down Gain (up/down) 37 dB / 37 dB Linear Power Output +30 dBm Max Output Power 3 Watts (Cell Site Controlled) Max RF Up/Down +35 dBm / +10 dBm Noise Figure Typical 4 db nominal Isolation Uplink/Downlink more than 90 dB Power Requirements 12 V, .5-1.5 (subject to Uplink power) Connectors FME-Male 50 Ohms Diminsions 5.5 x 4.3 x 1.4 (inch) or 14.0 x 10.8 x 3.5 (cm) Weight 1.32 lbs or 0.6 kg

3. Nextel Networks
   Select the Wilson Nextel 37db In Vehicle Amplifier (AM804002) for in vehicle use on Nextel's network.

• Increases signal strength on send and receive in iDen Nextel 806-866 MHz frequency range
• Wireless operation. No physical connection to your phone is required.
• Allows multiple phones to be use simultaneously.
• Works on Nextel iDen frequency 806-866 MHz
• Your phone will use less battery power for longer battery life.

Return to top

Wilson In-Building Amplifiers
WIlson Vehichle Amplifiers

Electronics Cellular Antenna & Amplifier FAQ