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Choose the Right Type of Antenna

Updated: Nov 9, 2023


Choose the Right Antenna for Your Home, Building, or Vehicle

Are you tired of dropping in and out of calls, missing relays of important messages, and hearing choppy voices from your phone? Stay connected to people you care about and your workplace by ensuring you have top-quality cell phone signal. Cellular boosters capture the nearest signal and amplify that connection within your desired space. They make family and work calls from your property or business more enjoyable by optimizing your phone's connection and quality of calls. No matter where you want to install a signal booster, you want to make sure you choose the right cellular antenna type for your home, building, or vehicle for optimal results.


Signal boosters come in two major components: antennas and a booster. Antennas come in various forms that offer different suitability for differing locations. The type of antennas you choose for your home may not be the same receivers you decide to install in your car. Before you dive into the optimal cell signal booster antennas for each space, you must first understand the distinctions between an outdoor and indoor one.


Outdoor Antennas

The primary function of the outdoor component of a cellular booster is to capture nearby signals. They are the ones scouting and collecting connections that will then get amplified to your destination. Two common outdoor cellular antenna types are directional and omni-directional antennas.


Directional

Directional receivers reach out to a specific cell phone tower, using their signal for the booster. If their desired tower is in clear view, they can spread their signal cast across long distances due to their singular-focused and tunneled reception windows. Most people compare the range of directional antennas to a flashlight, since their strong and one-directional window branches out in a similar pattern to a flashlight's beam.


Omni-Directional

Omni-directional antennas distribute a wider reception, connecting to multiple cellular towers even if the signals aren't in the direct line of their window. Their cross-connection of networks merges multiple cellular signals into stronger ones.


Indoor Antennas

Indoor antennas broadcast the outdoor antenna's signals throughout the interior of the desired space. Sometimes, multiple receivers are required to transmit the signals across rooms. There are three popular types of indoor cellular antennas to choose from: a panel, whip, and dome antenna.


Panel

Panel antennas get attached to the walls or ceilings of a place. They transmit a narrow-focused beam ranged at a 45-degree angle.


Whip

Whip antennas are small devices that attach directly to the booster. They radiate their signal in all directions, filling up small singular spaces with quality connectivity. Whips antennas only pair with mid-level booster systems.


Dome

Dome antennas secure onto the ceilings broadcasting signals downwards toward an area. Their installation process requires you to access behind ceilings and walls for cable insertions.


When shopping for an indoor cellular antenna for your intended location, it's crucial to consider the various types of devices available. There are a few cases where you may not even need both an exterior and interior component to your booster. Understanding the range of antenna options helps you best match and equip your property with suitable devices. So, what are the best selections for your space?


Types of Antennas for Your Home or Building

The first step to matching your home or building with an appropriate antenna is to check out the current network situation around your location. For the exterior, you want to opt for an omni-directional unit if your area already has moderate signals outside. On the other hand, if you have a clear sight of cellular towers within twenty miles of your building, you should select a directional antenna no matter the available connection strength.


When setting up internal systems, you want to consider the size of the area and the number of rooms you want to connect. Offices and houses that run on the smaller side pair well with whip or dome antennas. Whips repeat quality signals in a single room or multiple small rooms, but they only match with specific booster systems. Meanwhile, domes pair with any setup and mainly cover single-floored spaces.


However, if your building structure lacks room behind walls and ceilings, or you aren't allowed to access these areas, the dome will not be a suitable match for your rooms. A panel antenna works in longer, larger, and multi-floored structures, as it shoots its focused beam throughout various lengths of space.


Types of Antennas for Your Vehicles

With the rise of long road trips and the use of RV vehicles becoming popular, having a quality phone connection in your car is a new must. Omni-directionals suit vehicles the most out of the two outdoor antenna choices. The omni-directional receiver's ability to capture multiple surrounding signals complements the motion of vehicles. Since directional antennas emit a singular-focused reception beam, it's harder for them to find and switch signal sources. For a signal booster in your car, truck, or RV, whips are the best choice due to their capability of filling a singular space with high connectivity. Plus, whip antennas do not require installation into the car's structural body and just get placed into an area, making them easy to set up in vehicles.


Some vehicular cellphone boosters deviate from regular home network systems, requiring only one type of antenna or different modules. Cellular amplifiers for vehicles often use an indoor cradle antenna. Cradles work the same way as other receivers, capturing and broadcasting nearby signals while holding your cellular devices. People can also accompany their cradle with an outdoor booster that functions as an outdoor antenna for the vehicle. Using a cradle and an individual booster and antenna accessory offers fewer pieces to install, maximizing your vehicle's space.


With the numerous selections of receivers to explore, understanding how to choose the right antenna for your home, building, or vehicle will make the process less daunting. No matter where you are or how far you travel, staying connected to quality networks enhances your experiences. Say goodbye to slow-loading texts, interrupted connections, and patchy voice calls with the right antenna and cellular booster for your needs. SureCall Boosters offer all kinds of antennas and network amplifying systems, providing you with plenty of ways to stay connected.


Choose the Right Antenna for Your Home, Building, or Vehicle

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