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Question

outbound cell signal

Feb 1, 2015 7:06AM PST

All cell phones transmit their signal to the tower. I was told that the iPhone 5 has one of the weakest OUTBOUND signal strengths on the market. I live in a remote area and I have a booster to enhance INBOUND reception of the signal from the tower that gives me up to full bars of 3g and sometimes partial bars 4g. However I can hear the inbound caller great but they cannot hear me. Is there a rating of cell phone and the horsepower (for lack of a better term) used in the transmission of the signal FROM the phone to the tower?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
The web seems to disagree on that.
Feb 1, 2015 7:49AM PST
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outbound cell strength
Feb 1, 2015 9:23AM PST

We are considering just what you suggest ....I thought maybe a different phone would prevent us from having to pay the additional monthly hardline charges. wanted to know if some phones have more powerful outbound signal strength than others.... We have the booster which gives us plenty of inbound signal.....We already have to have satellite internet which is the only option here.... and it is terrible....

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Wilson writes...
Feb 1, 2015 9:46AM PST

"The Wilson Mobile 4G Signal Booster captures a weak cellular signal, transmits it ... antennas to increase the strength of inbound and outbound cellular signals."
https://www.google.com/#q=wilson+booster+outbound+signal
For example. I've yet to encounter too much difference in phones. It's always been about the towers.
Bob

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Your understanding of how it works is incorrect
Feb 1, 2015 1:46PM PST

Tell the person who told you that to stop passing along such drivel.

Even a proven booster like the Wilson Electronics brand Bob mentioned is subject to limitations. Sometimes it's actually the location/topography/building structure that continue to adversely affect the cellular service, regardless of how many bars you see. Radio waves are funny like that.

Things you can try- re-locate booster inside dwelling, re-position antenna on roof, try another antenna, test out several different handset models (smartphones)- some allow you to turn off LTE/4G/3G in order to improve reception where it is spotty/lacking.

Most importantly, verify your carrier is actually transmitting what you need from the closest cellular site. E.g. make sure your (booster) amp/repeater contains the correct frequency bands.

What is your zip code & nearest cross street (and carrier) so we could look quickly on the online coverage maps?

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use a Magic Jack
Feb 1, 2015 2:10PM PST

hooked to your internet service by LAN cord, and connected to a base station for DECT6 type phone system. I have a 4 phone system and even disconnected my landline wire on the outside and split the Magic Jack between the Panasonic DECT6 and the internal house wiring, so have about 9-10 phones it can service.

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Re-read what he wrote about internet
Feb 2, 2015 5:00AM PST

The OP has satellite internet. That's a wicked (bad) combo w/ Magic Jack(!)

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that's not great
Feb 3, 2015 2:40AM PST

with any VOIP service.

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outbound cell strength
Feb 3, 2015 11:30PM PST

I have this dream cabin that I built over the last 7 years in this very special place and I must be able to do some of my work there or I will not be able to be there very much at all ...which is unacceptable.....I can't stand outside in the snow and sub freezing weather to take conference calls that last for hours because my cell signal wont get back to the tower but the inbound signal (because of the booster) is 3 or 4 full bars of 3g and sometimes a couple bars of LTE signal....

I am thinking of building a little gazebo/ pavilion at the spot where my cell outbound signal gets back to the tower so I can be heard on calls.... from this spot I only have 1 bar of signal strength yet I can still be heard and I can hear the call....at least with the gazebo I won't be in the rain, snow...it will still be cold...last week i was standing at the one spot where I have to be for over two hours in temps in the teens....

does anyone know of a proven (or even a potential) product that will boost your inbound AND outbound cell phone signal power enough to get back to the tower?

It was suggested that the transmission of the BOOSTED inbound signal from the antenna of the booster may in fact hinder the outbound signal from my cell...preventing my signal from reaching back to the tower. is that possible??

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Sounds like a job for Wilson.
Feb 3, 2015 11:38PM PST
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job for wilson
Feb 4, 2015 2:08AM PST

Im tracking right with you.....I was online with wilson this morning ..they have made some suggestions.... They suggested that I may be experiencing a condition called antennae diversity which would be eliminated or improved by adding a second directional antenna in a configuration that would narrow the transmission wave field thus reducing "noise" that can get mixed in with weak signals... it's way over my head but they may be getting closer to a potential solutions


thank u !!

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That would be an engineer you were talking to.
Feb 4, 2015 2:29AM PST

The image I shared last should have been clear. That is, if your phone works standing on the deck, placing the Wilson external antenna there would be a good first placement.

Once in a while I encounter a client that wants it done for them. That's no problem as we get estimates out for travel and other costs. Usually we drop 10+K bucks on such a call but we love those clients and want more of them.
Bob

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outbound signal
Feb 4, 2015 7:01AM PST

Absolutely right ....that is the next step.... When we installed the roofing material we had them install the antenna at the highest point of the roof thinking it would be the best place. I will have it moved following the instructions that came with the package tracking the signal strength..... thank you!!!!!

joe

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I have an uncle
Feb 4, 2015 10:28AM PST

lives in a small town in north florida. He complained about having to exit his bungalow to use his cellphone. We hooked up an old UHF antenna he had, ran the coaxial into the house and the center wire to about a foot square piece of tinfoil he taped on the wall. It worked. It picked up enough signal he could use it indoors, but that was years ago and may have been the older analog phone signal.

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(NT) Reminds me of Ben Franklin.
Feb 4, 2015 10:39AM PST
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Yeah, worried some about that
Feb 4, 2015 11:17AM PST

but the pole was grounded.

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You are adding complication
Feb 4, 2015 5:50AM PST

See my prior post regarding what you need to try first. Don't bother with a second antenna since that's a bit of a needle in a haystack.

If you get 3-4 bars of 3G, you should be fine with the appropriate antenna orientation/size. The newer Wilson products that support 4G work well, at least with my limited experience. All of their prior 2G/3G versions are good too, provided you spent the time with the outdoor antenna location.

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Yes, see the Wilson lineup
Feb 4, 2015 5:53AM PST

Look into their latest 4G offerings, SOHO-type, or small home versions.

*Who* exactly suggested what you are describing in your last paragraph? I believe they have drank too much of the koolaid Wink

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kool-aid
Feb 4, 2015 9:32AM PST

Im not exactly sure you could call it kool-aid...perhaps more like fire-water...

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Exactly
Feb 4, 2015 12:56PM PST

Now I am curious. Would you mind sharing your zip code and even a major intersection/highway? Whose the carrier so we could check the maps/topography?

cheers