Reasons for Weak Cellular Signals
Anyone who uses a cell phone or cellular data card knows the
frustration of not being able to connect to or maintain a strong
cellular signal. When this occurs, it is generally due to one of two
reasons:
Location of the Nearest Cell Tower – Cell towers are situated1.
to provide broad coverage; however, there are many areas in
which signal strength may be reduced by topographic features
or by local government restrictions on the height or placement
of the towers themselves. Rural areas generally have fewer cell
towers than urban regions.
Natural and Man-Made Obstructions – Signal strength can2.
also be negatively affected by trees, hills, buildings, weather,
and other obstructions. You may be relatively close to a cell
tower but still unable to make a call. This often occurs in homes,
offices and other buildings in which stucco, concrete or metal
walls may block the signal.
The Signal Booster works with two antennas. The inside antenna
communicates with your cell phone and the outside antenna
communicates with the cell tower.
Selecting a Direction for the Outside Antenna
Select a location on the roof of the building to install the outside
antenna. Use a cell phone in test mode to find the strongest signal
from the cell tower. See page 6 for more information. To get the
strongest signal possible, it is very important to set up your outside
antenna properly. The inside and the outside antenna must be
mounted in such a way that they are able to pick up the best possible
cell signal on the outside of the building and provide the best possible
signal on the inside of the building. Mount the outside antenna as
high as possible facing the cell tower in an area with the best possible
signal coverage. Note:
Never point the front of a directional antenna
toward the inside antenna. See Figures 1 & 2 on page 11.
