Cell signal booster needed

[Evan Bookbinder]

For several years I've been using a Maximum Signal CA-819 with an adapter that connected to the RF Port on my Sprint phone. It worked great and tethering with high data speeds was rarely an issue, even in remote areas.

Unfortunately, my HTC Touch Pro 2 does not have an RF Port (and it seems most of the newer phones have trended that way, sigh). Gordon sent me a "velcro" adapter that slaps on top of the existing antenna and works by (I'm guessing) inductance. I realize that this method is inferior to a direct connection, but even with the device placed correctly on top of where the specs say the antenna is, I'm getting absolutely zero change in signal strength. I already spoke with M.S., and they said this was the only solution.

With that said, knowing that in the chaser world we tend to advance technology a bit faster, has anyone found a solution (from any company) to boost the cell tower signal? Again, it's an HTC Touch Pro 2 on Sprint, with no external ports other than the USB (which is tethered to my laptop).

I will probably be putting my Cyfre amplifier up for sale since it really is a fantastic device and the magmount antenna worked great -- just not on this smartphone.

Thanks in advance,
Evan

 

[Gordon Spencer]

That was the only solution with your current amplifier. You could go to the SVW819 wireless amplifier with the induction adapter you have. That is the only other solution . Hate to see you have to buy another amplifier as that CA819 is a workhorse.

For several years I've been using a Maximum Signal CA-819 with an adapter that connected to the RF Port on my Sprint phone. It worked great and tethering with high data speeds was rarely an issue, even in remote areas.

Unfortunately, my HTC Touch Pro 2 does not have an RF Port (and it seems most of the newer phones have trended that way, sigh). Gordon sent me a "velcro" adapter that slaps on top of the existing antenna and works by (I'm guessing) inductance. I realize that this method is inferior to a direct connection, but even with the device placed correctly on top of where the specs say the antenna is, I'm getting absolutely zero change in signal strength. I already spoke with M.S., and they said this was the only solution.

With that said, knowing that in the chaser world we tend to advance technology a bit faster, has anyone found a solution (from any company) to boost the cell tower signal? Again, it's an HTC Touch Pro 2 on Sprint, with no external ports other than the USB (which is tethered to my laptop).

I will probably be putting my Cyfre amplifier up for sale since it really is a fantastic device and the magmount antenna worked great -- just not on this smartphone.

Thanks in advance,
Evan

 

[Evan Bookbinder]

Gordon,

Is there anyway to use a multimeter to test the pad and make sure that it's actually doing something?

Evan

 

[Gordon Spencer]

Not really , like I told you , the placement of the adapter on the phone is the key . It must be directly over the interior antenna. Have not had a bad adapter yet. You might try finding interior photos at FCC sight to confirm exact location of antenna.

Gordon,

Is there anyway to use a multimeter to test the pad and make sure that it's actually doing something?

Eva

 

[jonbacon]

Quick intro, I work for Wilson Electronics (maker of signal boosters) as the marketing manager. I saw this discussion and wanted to add the following which I gathered from our tech department (they can be reached Monday to Friday: 1-866-294-1660).

A direct connect amp features about 10 dB gain. This is fine if plugged into the device with an adapter but now that plugging it in is not possible (based on what we read) a patch antenna is in use. The problem is that when you connect inductively (with the patch), you have about 10 dB of loss. This means that all of the gain from the amp is basically lost. The solution we recommend is our Signalboost which is meant to connect inductively as we gave it 25 dB of gain (to account for the loss between the phone and the patch antenna). Or any of our wireless amps that feature around 40 dB of gain. We hope this helps!

 

[Eric D B'Hymer]

Is this the same as what i ordered for my blackberry tour? Am i going to have the same problem as Evan?

 

[Gordon Spencer]

All Blackberries have to use an induction adapter as well as Blackberry does not have RF Ports . It is very important you know the exact location of the interior antenna and place the inductive adapter directly over it . The gentleman from Wilson was incorrect about the Gain of a CA819 direct connect amplifier . The CA819 has about 18-25 db of gain so an inductive adapter properly placed will in fact aid in reception . If necessary you may have to switch to a SVW819 wireless amplifier that have much more power for use with an inductive adapters. If you can hold of and still need a wireless amplifier. The new Signal Control Technology amplifiers will be available soon and the gain from them will be staggering compared to anything else available.

Is this the same as what i ordered for my blackberry tour? Am i going to have the same problem as Evan?

 

[jonbacon]

All Blackberries have to use an induction adapter as well as Blackberry does not have RF Ports . It is very important you know the exact location of the interior antenna and place the inductive adapter directly over it . The gentleman from Wilson was incorrect about the Gain of a CA819 direct connect amplifier . The CA819 has about 18-25 db of gain so an inductive adapter properly placed will in fact aid in reception . If necessary you may have to switch to a SVW819 wireless amplifier that have much more power for use with an inductive adapters. If you can hold of and still need a wireless amplifier. The new Signal Control Technology amplifiers will be available soon and the gain from them will be staggering compared to anything else available.

Thanks for correcting Gordon. It was actually tough to give an exact response since we didn't have the model number of the product being mentioned in the thread. Hence, we kept it somewhat generic in the response.

Eric, the product that was originally mentioned was a direct connect product, so that's why I answered the way I did. Having a wireless signal boosting solution is probably the best bet, although they tend to cost a little more. That said, the results are better and the dB gain is more with a wireless.

Additionally, if the amplifer (or signal booster) has 18-25 dB, it should work with a patch antenna. I know this isn't the place to sell you on Wilson--so I'll try not to give a sales pitch. If you are interested in learning more you can check out our website or some of the reviews our products have received at Amazon.com or CNET (I can post specific links if you'd like, or you can search Wilson Electronics at Amazon). If I can help with a specific problem about a specific model or product I'm happy to do so.

 

[John Wetter]

Sounds like it's time for a data card and leave the tethering behind...

 

[Eric Friedebach]

Just make sure your data card has an external antenna jack. When I upgraded my EX720 to a Sierra Wireless 598U, the guy at the (corporate owned) Sprint store tried to convince me that another had one as well. I think they are trying to push the 4G devices, which are not compatible with any amplifier out there.