Datacard Amplifiers

[Jason Foster]

I just purchased the Wilson amp. 3gstore advised me the of the importance of matching the amp to the external antenna. I think it has something to do with "gain" or "impedance". So, I went with the amp they recommended for the external antenna I bought from them last year. They told me not matching it could burn up the antenna and I believe they also said it could damage the aircard or amp....I don't know,,,,It may have been BS to get me to buy from them only, but they seemed to be pretty knowledgeable.

Ask any members here that have used Cyfre and Wilson . The Cyfre wins hands down and cost a lot less money. I have never heard of burning up an amp from it not matching up with an amplifier. What do I know I have only sold a bunch of amplifiers and antennas.

Most likely Mike, they were explaining the importance of making sure the SWR is good, as well as feedline impedance was matched. Those would be correct in many cases (like ham radio equipment), and for optimal situations. It doesn't have anything to do with 'matching' brands, However, sometimes power loads (aka wattage) is so low it's not a huge deal. That is of course the point in Gordon's response as there are others that have worked. That might be due to the correct matching or because the wattage is low enough (and equipment being tolerant enough) that no failures have occurred. But it is always something to be aware of, especially if you are trying to eek out every last bit of 'gain' or distance on those antennas and amplifiers.

 

[Bob Schafer]

Ask any members here that have used Cyfre

Okay, I hereby consider myself asked.

I bought the Cyfre from Gordon. I did objective tests, and I realized no improvements in reception whatsoever.

When I emailed Gordon and reported my findings, his reply to me was unprofessional and rude.

I sold it.

 

[Gordon Spencer]

What can I say , Can't make everyone happy , LOL , I tried but you were not walk in the park either , We all have our bad days. . I make the large majority happy. I still stand behind the Cyfre equipment as most users do , LOL . Must have worked for whoever bought it from you.

Okay, I hereby consider myself asked.

I bought the Cyfre from Gordon. I did objective tests, and I realized no improvements in reception whatsoever.

When I emailed Gordon and reported my findings, his reply to me was unprofessional and rude.

I sold it.

 

[Gordon Spencer]

The only key with a Cyfre amplifier is that you use a dual band antennas , Can use a wilson antenna with it just have to find the proper adapters. Never had a problem with people using Cyfre antennas with Wilson amplifier , again just need the proper adapters as they have different fittings. Never have come across a Impedance issue.

Most likely Mike, they were explaining the importance of making sure the SWR is good, as well as feedline impedance was matched. Those would be correct in many cases (like ham radio equipment), and for optimal situations. It doesn't have anything to do with 'matching' brands, However, sometimes power loads (aka wattage) is so low it's not a huge deal. That is of course the point in Gordon's response as there are others that have worked. That might be due to the correct matching or because the wattage is low enough (and equipment being tolerant enough) that no failures have occurred. But it is always something to be aware of, especially if you are trying to eek out every last bit of 'gain' or distance on those antennas and amplifiers.

 

[JF Massicotte]

Hi everyone

I am a Cyfre customer since 2008 and once I lost a cable in a chase trip. I found the Wilson card adapter in a truck stop and an adapter for the amp unit in an electronic store in Guymon, OK (hell this one was hard to find). Unit still worked fine but I bought a new cable when back from the trip since it was evident the cable was lower in quality (adapter on card was hot, better cable quality from MaxSignal, etc...).

So even if everything will work fine when matching different brand, I avoid doing so because Wilson and others just don't catch up in quality.

 

[Gerard Jebaily]

This thread has made me swing back and forth between amp brands so much I cant count. I'm thinking about starting a simple poll thread on what amp brand users recommend. I've heard good and bad on Wilson and Cyfre. The only thing I think i have answered is that a direct connect amp is better suited for data cards. Other than Cyfre, Wilson, and Maximum Signal are there any other brands?

 

[Gordon Spencer]

MaximumSignal is not a Brand . Maximum Signal carries Cyfre amplifiers. There are other brands out there for in vehicle use such as Digital Antenna , Cellphone-Mate and Smooth Talker.

This thread has made me swing back and forth between amp brands so much I cant count. I'm thinking about starting a simple poll thread on what amp brand users recommend. I've heard good and bad on Wilson and Cyfre. The only thing I think i have answered is that a direct connect amp is better suited for data cards. Other than Cyfre, Wilson, and Maximum Signal are there any other brands?

 

[Jesse Risley]

I did a short write up on different cellular antenna venues here: http://convectiveaddiction.com/equipment/cellular-data-card-antennas/

It's not exactly scientific, but rather an overview of basic antennas and which ones you might consider for your chasing excursions. I co-own a small business that sells cellular antennas for various applications, though largely for commercial and public safety venues, and I would argue, as Gordon and others have, that a properly installed antenna for the correct frequencies is best to maximize your performance.

I purchased the Cyfre "Rockies" amp last year from Gordon and it has worked well for me on the plains. I've had some limited experience with Wilson, and I've talked with others that have used them, but I don't have much negative to add save for the fact that the Wilson amps can get fairly hot after continuous use. The only problematic issue with using an amp, from any vendor, is the fact that the amps can hang up on, for example, 1xRTT signals from other towers when you've entered an area where EVDO service is now available. You have to briefly disconnect and reconnect, while can be an inconvenience when operating numerous Internet-dependent programs like streaming applications.

I will argue that in many situations (i.e. east of I-35), albeit depending on exactly where you chase, the use of an amp is unnecessary IF you have a decent, properly installed external antenna. The most fair, unbiased advice I can give, as others have noted, is to do your homework and settle on an amp that works best for your own personal needs.

 

[Gerard Jebaily]

jjj0 The most fair, unbiased advice I can give, as others have noted, is to do your homework and settle on an amp that works best for your own personal needs.

I don't mean this to sound at all like a smart ass comment, but I think most everyone's personal needs on cell amps are similar which are: "Which amp will give me the best cell signal, performs best, is reliable, and doesn't break after a short period of time?" I'm glad to see the Cell Amp poll thread is getting some attention.

 

[Jesse Risley]

I don't mean this to sound at all like a smart ass comment, but I think most everyone's personal needs on cell amps are similar which are: "Which amp will give me the best cell signal, performs best, is reliable, and doesn't break after a short period of time?" I'm glad to see the Cell Amp poll thread is getting some attention.

I probably should have worded it better; which ever amp has the features and specs that might better be suitable to your needs. There are different types and varieties, including frequency ranges and power levels. While all cell amps essentially do the same thing, there are marketable differences among the major vendors.

As someone else stated, most ST members probably don't have a wide range of experience with various brands, but rather will speak specifically to the product that they are using or have used in the past. When I was shopping for amps last spring, there were some limited comparisons between several models that were available on the Internet.

 

[Scott Barber]

Just thought I would share my thoughts on my new external antenna and amp. I recently purchased the Cyfre "Rockies" amp combo kit through Maximum Signal. I have now used this on one practice chase and one actual bust chase and am very satisfied. I'm using it with an ATT data card that I also used last year with no amp/antenna. Last year I was constantly dropping my data connection and having to reconnect and had a very hard time pulling in a good signal. We were considering switching to another carrier, but decided to try the amp/antenna instead. So far this year I haven't had any issues with the connection dropping and pull in a much stronger signal than I do on my iPhone. I would definitely recommend this setup to anyone looking for an external antenna and amp.

 

[Rejean Boudreau]

Has anyone been using such antenna for USB card (there's no direct connection - just a wrap around sticking to the USB card).

Here's a link to it : http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/mobile-broadband-antenna-adapter-cable-universal-p21946.htm

Another link on the US market http://www.wpsantennas.com/WA-1047-Universal-Antenna-Adapter-for-all-3G-Modems.aspx

I have a USB Card and it's giving me good coverage, but with a USB Card, you need to have them high in the car to get good coverage, still if it drop on the car floor - then i'm loosing the signal.

I'm looking for a solution to get that USB card hook to an antenna/booster solution - or - get a new package with a new card that can be hooked to an antenna/booster. If this is a real working solution then it's a deal, if not, then i'll have to go with another type of card.

Unfortunatly my current provider does not have any such card. So to get a card, i will need to choose a provider on another network. Similar coverage, but still some differences.

 

[Jason Foster]

OK...another resurrection of this thread. I find it one of the better threads though.

In preparation for my return to the plains in 2011, I'm looking to get set-up with an amp for my Sprint datacard (U597 compass USB).

I'm am looking at either the Rockies amp from Peak Performance or the Ultimate EVDO/HSDPA Amplifier/Antenna Kit using the Cyfre 819 amplifier. I am wondering however, since this thread was last active if there is any new products out there that are better, cheaper, both, or whatever.

I'll be buying sometime between Christmas and Presidents Day (Mid-Feb). Maybe sooner if I get enough stuff sold and there is a sale (Gordon...expect a PM/email from me toward the end of the month). I'm on a tight budget so looking to spend the least amount, but I've decided that I want one of either these two units unless...as stated above...there is something better.

Also...with a chase season behind now...what are some reviews and comments about how there systems work (all brands, wilson, etc.).

 

[Paul Racine]

Having done my first chase last year out in the plains and away from my home area of MN, WI and IA I have definitely thought about getting a booster for next year as my top priority this off season. I have been going back and forth debating and reading comparisons and stats on the cyfre and wilson amps. I will be going with the Cyfre amp. I do have a question though that I am sure someone here can answer. I have the Sierra 595U as my aircard and it has a port. Am I able to direct connect the aircard and also have a internal antenna for cellphones? Or do I have to have 2 amps to do this. I would like to have both use the same booster is possible but not have to use a cable on my EVO.

 

[J Tyler]

I bought the Rockies amp from Maximum Signals, and I also bought their "T" splitter. This has allowed me to have my aircard constantly connected to the amp, and I have their "cell phone cradle" also connected to the splitter which feeds to the amp. I can't remember exactly, but the Rockies amp is supposed to handle up to 7 different cell devices at the same time *IF I AM REMEMBERING CORRECTLY!*. Anyway, I have one of my iPhones in the cradle, and my aircard going at the same time.

I also bought their 9db gain Super Trucker antenna, which is fed by the Rockies amp.

Yes, you guessed it. In June of this past year, I was chasing in the Oklahoma panhandle when my Verizon service took a dump, and was coming and going all day. I had a standard external cell antenna, but no amplifier. After that day of pulling my hair out, I ordered an all out kit of Cellular Insanity as soon as I got home.

Yes, the difference is very clear. Very obvious. BUT, I have not been back to those dead zone areas yet.....So, we'll see....