Signal boster

[setlab]

I'm looking for a way to boost my 3g reception when I'm at home is there any signal boosters out there that can do that? I was hoping to use my phone wifi tether for my main internet connection. Right now I have Hughes net so 3g internet from my phone will actually be better and a lot cheaper for me.

 

[Bear in NM]

A couple of solutions. VZW sells something called a network extender. I use a couple of devices from Wilson Electronics. One is the desktop model, the other is the mobile in my Jeep. I have no experience with the VZW booster, but two thumbs up for Wilson, if you want to spend the money.

Craig

 

[Droid DOES!!]

Our (VZW) network extender will help your 1X (voice and SMS) but does not support 3G currently.

DroidForums junkie!

 

[setlab]

A couple of solutions. VZW sells something called a network extender. I use a couple of devices from Wilson Electronics. One is the desktop model, the other is the mobile in my Jeep. I have no experience with the VZW booster, but two thumbs up for Wilson, if you want to spend the money.

Craig

How much of a boost do you get with your Wilson desktop model? Have you ever done a speed test with and without it?

 

[Bear in NM]

Set,

I am probably not much help in the speed department as without them I have no signal to speak of. What I appear to see is that the booster does not slow down nor increase the speed, only amplify what is available to be useable. And I live in an area where my speeds even when connected in town are nothing to get excited about.

Craig

 

[hookbill]

Our (VZW) network extender will help your 1X (voice and SMS) but does not support 3G currently.

DroidForums junkie!

:icon_rolleyes::icon_rolleyes::icon_rolleyes:

This is the first time I've heard this in two years. I believe you, no doubt but I've talked to VZW reps on the phone and have discuseed this many times in various forums. So you're saying for 150.00 all this will do is help with 1x?

Verizon has a lot of nerve charging that much for those extenders. What a rip off.

 

[takeshi]

If you have good signal outdoors and poor signal indoors you probably just need a repeater. Amps can be handy but you have to be careful with them and use them in the right applications.

 

[harrellj]

Our (VZW) network extender will help your 1X (voice and SMS) but does not support 3G currently.

DroidForums junkie!

I thought the newest version which just came out supported 3G while the old version was voice only?

 

[setlab]

Well my normal speed is always between 150 and 500 kbps download and 400 to 500 kbps (sometimes up to 700 kbps) upload with a ping of around 130. I did decide to check it at 3am this morning on a whim and came up with a 1085 kbps download and a 746 upload, I was rather surprised on that one. Being outside doesn't do to much for reception of speed, there is always 1 to 3 bars of service wherever I go at home. Does anyone know why my speed tests fluctuate so much? Do cell signals get affected by weather/clouds or is it the amount of cellphone traffic using the local towers?

As a comparison my hughesnet satellite internet is always between 1000 and 1500 kbps download and 300 upload with a ping of 999+

I can justify spending money on something like a wilson system if I don't have to pay out the ass for hughesnet.

 

[dvdcatalyst]

Our (VZW) network extender will help your 1X (voice and SMS) but does not support 3G currently.

DroidForums junkie!

I don't think it would work in this case though. The VZW extender plugs into an existing internet connection.

Verizon | Answers to FAQs about network extender

What type of Internet connection do I need? Your Verizon Wireless Network Extender will work with most broadband or DSL connections (from Verizon or another Internet service provider). A minimum broadband speed of 1 Mbps is required. The Network Extender is not supported for use with EVDO, satellite or wireless broadband service.

The extender works great for me, but I have it connected to fiber internet.

edit: speeds using flash-test from DSL reports while connected to the VZW Extender (it does say its connected at 3G) 966Kb/s download, 367 Kb/s upload.

 

[BigMcGuire]

So hmm, let's pay hundreds a month to Verizon for minutes we don't use and on top of that we have to pay $250 for better reception. Right. How about I just go with AT&T since it has almost full reception in my house vs 1 bar with Verizon? For $250 I could get any phone I wanted with AT&T.

Pretty fail imo.

 

[wcjeep]

I'm running two Wilson Sleek's. I also have a 3watt system. I prefer the 2watt Wilson Sleek. It's small, easy to setup and only costs $100.




Newegg.com - Wilson Electronics 815226 Sleek Cell Phone Signal Cradle Booster

 

[setlab]

I'm running two Wilson Sleek's. I also have a 3watt system. I prefer the 2watt Wilson Sleek. It's small, easy to setup and only costs $100.




Newegg.com - Wilson Electronics 815226 Sleek Cell Phone Signal Cradle Booster

What kind of data increase do you see when it's on?

 

[wcjeep]

No clue what my data speed increase would be. I use the boosters to get cell phone coverage where there is normally no cell service.

 

[Bear in NM]

WC,

Thanks for the link on the sleek. I had not seen that particular model. I run the higher db gain units in my home and jeep. Do you have any issues with feedback cancellation. The mobile unit in my jeep is a little "particular" about spacing between the trucker antenna and sending unit.

The Sleek posted has 20 db gain, according to the specs. A couple of the other Wilson products have 40 or 50 db gain. What I would suggest to someone thinking wilson would be to download a market app called Netmonitor. This will give you real time db readings (a little easier than bouncing into the settings menu) and plot the tower locations (for idea on distance). With this information, you could speak with a Wilson tech and they could probably point you to the best device. 20 DB gain would likley be enough for me at home, but not nearly enough in a few places I play.

Craig