Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Power down Cell Phone Boosters
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| Re: Power down Cell Phone Boosters [message #199202 is a reply to message #199177] |
Thu, 21 February 2013 10:08   |
bukzin
Messages: 840
Registered: April 2004
Location: North California
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I have read good things about the Cyfre brand of cell amps.
Here is an article. Make sure you read the last portion of it.
Wired Amplifiers
The amplifiers covered in this section - both wired and wireless - only work with 3G devices. There are currently no amplifiers available for the new 4G networks. With Verizon, 3G is on the 800MHz and 1900MHz bands, and 4G is on the 700MHz band. This situation is sure to change in the future, so keep your eyes open for 4G amps as you move to the 4G services.
WilsonAmp.gif (16828 bytes)Probably the best know cellular amplifier on the market today is made by Wilson. The Wilson direct connect dual band (800 MHz and 1900MHz) cellular amplifier will boost an existing cellular signal quite a bit. Of course, you have to have a signal to start with. We have found that our wired Wilson amp will take a signal that does not even show on our phone, and increase it to 3 bars. This takes us from no service to very good service.
The type of amp you need depends on your phone provider and what technology they use. We use Verizon so we use the dual band CDMA amplifier. The Wilson amps come with a 12-volt car adaptor - if you want a 120-volt adaptor it is extra. They also come with a 6' extension cord that you use between your phone and the amplifier. If you want to be farther from the amp than 6' you need to purchase an extension cable with the appropriate connectors on it. You also need the appropriate adaptor for your phone, so make sure you order that with the amp. If you already use an external antenna, then that adaptor can be used - you only need one.
The connections go like this: from the phone an adaptor specific to your phone model connects to the 6' extension cable. The extension cable plugs into the phone side of the amp. On the antenna side of the amp you plug in your external antenna.
The Wilson amps put out 3 watts on the 800MHz band, and 2 watts at the 1900MHz band.
Technically, it is always best if you use an antenna and amplifier that plug directly into your phones antenna port. However, most people now use "smartphones" that do not have an external antenna port. With smartphones there are several options available to boost signal strength. The Wilson 811210 dual band amplifier uses a little Velcro connector that you Velcro to your phone near the antenna when using the amp. Or, you can buy an add-on cable with the patch if you already have an amp - the model 301140 is shown to the left. They do work pretty well, but obviously not as well as the dedicated antenna port. The amplifier is a little cheaper, though. Maximum Signal also sells these inductive antenna pickups for their Cyfre amplifiers. All inductive pickups need to be secured right over the internal antenna in order to be effective, so you may have to experiment based on the location of your phones antenna.
Wilson is not the only maker of cellular amplifiers. Maximum Signal sells the high-quality Cyfre amps for a very reasonable price. They are one of the few (or only) amplifiers approved for use by the cellular carriers. They are cheaper than the Wilson, as well. Originally, we used one of these amplifiers for our cell phone, and relegated our older Wilson amplifier for the aircard. Now we use a Cyfre with the aircard and use a wireless amp with the other devices. The Cyfre is an excellent amp, runs completely cool, is cheaper than a Wilson, and is approved by the cellular providers. In combination with the Maximum Signal Trucker antenna (different than the Wilson Trucker) it makes a very good combination for pulling in maximum signal. In testing in 2009 this amplifier outperformed the Wilson slightly in my personal testing, and is the one I would choose first. It does use different connectors than the Wilson antennas, so if you want to combine it with an existing Wilson you have to get the appropriate adaptor - which is only a few dollars. The best thing to do if starting from scratch is to combine it with a Maximum Signal trucker, if side mounting. If roof mounting I'd recommend either the short Wilson RV antenna, or the magnetic mount from Maximum Signal.
Let me be real clear about the amplifiers. We have both a Wilson and a Cyfre, and I have tested both of them with various combinations of antennas (5 different antennas). While we have had the Wilson for many years and gotten good use from it (and still do) the Cyfre is a superior amplifier in my experience. We would buy another Cyfre if purchasing a replacement for one of our current amplifiers.
Note: In June 2011 I completed testing of a revised Cyfre 819 amplifier. This amp is greatly improved in performance and now completely "stomps" the Wilson in performance. You can download my test report here.
http://www.jackdanmayer.com/communication.htm#Cell%20Phone%20Antennas%20and%20Amps
Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Power down Cell Phone Boosters [message #199222 is a reply to message #199208] |
Thu, 21 February 2013 12:01 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Thu, 21 February 2013 09:54 |
| Gary Berry wrote on Thu, 21 February 2013 10:14 |
I'll give them my Wilson Sleek when they pry it from my cold, dead hands...
--
Gary and Diana Berry
73 CL Stretch in Wa.
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I like that Gary. I have two cell amps. One is always in the GMC. They will stay with me until I find myself in the same condion you mentioned.
Dan
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AMEN! I'm with both of you guys. My question is how are they going to enforce this? Are they going to home in on the signal from my Wilson Sleek (that I may or may not have  ), and bust me out in the boonies?
Not likely.
More government intrusion, in my opinion.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Power down Cell Phone Boosters [message #199230 is a reply to message #199227] |
Thu, 21 February 2013 13:15 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Carl, As someone who did the task a long time ago. You are not that hard to find with a determined "hunting" party. Your phone announces which cell tower you are hitting. After that, it is just a small area electronic search. It can be done using aerial platforms, yes, including drones, without anyone getting into field, or you even hearing anything.
However, I really doubt that the FCC will do much to chase the odd user, this could change at anytime.
Tom, MS II Electronic Warfare in another life
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] Power down Cell Phone Boosters [message #199243 is a reply to message #199230] |
Thu, 21 February 2013 14:17 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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| tphipps wrote on Thu, 21 February 2013 12:15 |
Carl, As someone who did the task a long time ago. You are not that hard to find with a determined "hunting" party. Your phone announces which cell tower you are hitting. After that, it is just a small area electronic search. It can be done using aerial platforms, yes, including drones, without anyone getting into field, or you even hearing anything.
However, I really doubt that the FCC will do much to chase the odd user, this could change at anytime.
Tom, MS II Electronic Warfare in another life
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That's what I'm asking. Are they REALLY going to track down scofflaws and destroy them with a drone???  Or even send an enforcement officer out to a remote spot in the boonies of Arizona or New Mexico to track down an unregistered user?
I guess anything is possible. It just seems improbable to me.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Power down Cell Phone Boosters [message #199250 is a reply to message #199205] |
Thu, 21 February 2013 15:35 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Well, just for fun and games, guess who was here today? The FCC Enforcement types, most of whom I know. Inspecting equipment. Unannounced. So, while they are very unlikely to come have a look at your cell phone amp unless it interferes with something, lemme tell you - they >do< exist. And if it spits out RF in the U.S. they >do< have a right to comer have a look at it, at any time it is emitting RF.
Today, they were looking at EAS boxes (the equipment which goes This Is a Test and then spits our the 'duckfarts' three times), and had more questions about them than concerns. We showed them ho to find the logs in our brand, and what to look for when inspecting one. And, of course, passed the word to the other broadcasters, "Here they come".
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Gary Berry <duallycc@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 11:14 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Power down Cell Phone Boosters
I'll give them my Wilson Sleek when they pry it from my cold, dead hands...
--
Gary and Diana Berry
73 CL Stretch in Wa.
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Power down Cell Phone Boosters [message #199255 is a reply to message #199241] |
Thu, 21 February 2013 16:11 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Okay and thank you, Gary!
Next question(s) are how much and where?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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*--OO--[]---O-*
> Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:04:25 -0800
> From: duallycc@gmail.com
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Power down Cell Phone Boosters
>
> On my last trip, when I had 2 bars on my iPhone 4S, it jumped to 5
> bars, so I think it's working on my phone. All I know is that my
> wife's Kindle works with the iPhone 4S hotspot which keeps her happy
> (and directly keeps me happy).
>
> On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 10:44 AM, D C _Mac_ Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > Would the "Sleek" offer anything to iPhone 4S?
> >
> > Mac in OKC
>
> --
> Gary and Diana Berry
> 73 CL Stretch in Wa.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Power down Cell Phone Boosters [message #199273 is a reply to message #199208] |
Thu, 21 February 2013 19:41 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Never underestimate the power or tenacity of the FEDS. I had them knock on my front door once for a $25.00 unpaid fee for "AIRWAYS USE TAX". I do not how much they spent chasing me down because I had moved, but it was definitely more than they got collected. I ended up not paying them anything because I said I had not used the air in the time frame they were trying to collect the tax for.
They since have eliminated that tax but they probably still have the tax collectors sitting around somewhere. Maybe they will use them to look for your amplifier.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Power down Cell Phone Boosters [message #199289 is a reply to message #199243] |
Thu, 21 February 2013 21:12 |
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On 2/21/2013 12:17 PM, Carl Stouffer wrote:
> That's what I'm asking. Are they REALLY going to track down scofflaws and destroy them with a drone??? :twisted: Or even send an enforcement officer out to a remote spot in the boonies of Arizona or New Mexico to track down an unregistered user?
The problem is that some of these devices MAY produce spurious emissions
that can interfere with lawfully licensed services. If you cell phone
booster causes harmful interference with a lawfully licensed service you
can absolutely count on a visit from the FCC and the forfeitures (fines
in FCC-speak) START at around $10,000.
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Terry Taylor
'74 ex-Eleganza SE
San Lorenzo, CA
http://www.n6mon.org
http://dldesignstore.com
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