There are many valid reasons to invest in a cell signal booster. Many people may do so because they live in a rural area with weaker service. Others may want to ensure they have a strong signal in their office building where a reliable signal is necessary for work. Some people may travel a lot and want to install a signal booster in their vehicle to ensure they maintain a working signal on the road.
No matter what reason you have for wanting to install one of these boosters, there are ways to use these devices properly to ensure you get the power boost possible. Consider these eight ways to get the most out of your cell signal booster and keep your phone connected in areas with weaker signals or gain an extra boost.
1. Properly Map Out the Area
One of the fundamental first steps you must take before you get a cell signal booster is mapping out the ideal area to install your booster. Whether you're putting the device in a residential or commercial space, it's a good idea to map out your location. We recommend using your phone's field test mode to see which areas have weaker or stronger signals.
A good rule of thumb is to place your outer antenna in an area where the signal is particularly strong and position the internal antenna in an area with a weaker signal. There may be more to the process, but this is a good place to start creating a map of where you want to install things.
2. Get the Right Signal Booster
It's always a good idea to consider the need for the device when shopping for signal boosters. The Fusion Professional 2.0, Canada's first 8-band signal booster, is a great choice for residential areas but may not be the best option for a vehicle or work environment. When looking at different boosters, consider the type of item and whether it meets your personal or professional needs.
3. Use the Ideal Cables
Many people do not consider the significant role cables play in setting up a cell signal booster. One of the first things to consider is that a shorter cable creates a strong connection and leads to a better signal. It may seem like a good idea to get a longer one, but a lengthier cable than necessary typically results in a weaker signal.
You also want to make sure you're using high-quality cables for what you need. Many different cables may work, but a stronger cable will result in a more reliable signal. Some of these changes may seem minimal, but they’re an easy way to get the most out of your cell signal booster.
4. Antenna Separation
Antenna separation is the term used to describe the physical location of the exterior and interior antennas for your signal booster. If you have them too close to each other, you end up with a feedback loop that can cause interference, but if you have them too far apart, you wind up with a weaker signal. A good distance is generally around 6 to 9 meters (20 to 30 feet). The distance may vary depending on the differences in vertical and horizontal space, but you should be able to find a good distance to keep the two antennas separated.
5. Choose the Best Outdoor Antenna
There are two common options when installing an outdoor antenna: directional or omnidirectional. An omnidirectional antenna, as the name suggests, sends out a signal in all directions. These 360-degree signals are a good option when you’re looking to boost a signal that’s already pretty strong. Because the signal goes out in every direction, it’s not as strong or focused as what you get from a directional antenna.
Directional antennas are noticeably stronger and the preferred option when you’re trying to boost the signal in an area that may not be getting a strong signal. When installing a directional antenna, you want to ensure you’re pointing the antenna toward the source of your cell signal. Because the directional antenna follows a single path, the signal has a stronger focus and works better.
6. Install Additional Antenna
After installing your signal booster, you may notice that certain rooms in your home or office still suffer from noticeably weaker signals. Sometimes, the solution to this problem may be an adjustment or relocation of the interior antenna. However, more often than not, it may benefit you to install a second antenna when looking to gain additional coverage.
When installing a second interior antenna, you want to try and follow the rules of your first antenna. Keep an appropriate distance from the exterior antenna to avoid feedback loops, and try to space the interior ones appropriately. By sharing the signal from the external antenna, you may notice a slightly weaker signal, but it should become more consistent throughout your home or office area.
7. Remove Exterior Obstructions
Sometimes, you can take every possible step toward boosting the signal, but you can still suffer problems from exterior obstructions. If possible, try to clear any trees, branches, or leaves that may block your exterior antenna’s path to the closest cell tower. You may have limited options for how much external maintenance you can do, but it’s possible to get a little more stability and power to your cell signal booster by clearing a path.
8. Adjust as Necessary
In order to maintain a stable and powerful signal from your booster, you may need to make some necessary adjustments over time. If you're currently using an omnidirectional antenna, you may want to upgrade to a directional one. Changing the direction to point to the stronger source is a good idea if you have a directional antenna and your carrier puts up a new cell tower. Maintaining your cell signal booster is a vital part of getting the most power from it and keeping your cell phone in stable condition.
To get more information on cell booster antennas, contact SureCall Boosters. We have a wide range of antennas, boosters, and other necessary devices to get you started. Our helpful blogs will keep you connected, and you can always contact a member of our staff via email at sales@surecallboosters.ca for more information.
