The world of cellular booster amplifiers have changed. Boosters are very useful to RVers when we find ourselves in the boonies far from the closest cell tower.
New booster models been introduced to work with the new 4G frequencies. There are problematic automatic shutdown circuits for transmission problems, like having inside antenna transmissions be picked up by the outside antenna (like audio feedback).
And starting this year the FCC is introducing new restrictions on the older models and new specifications for new models.
Older models are allowed to be sold until inventories are depleted.
Signal Boosters - FAQ (http://wireless.fcc.gov/signal-boosters/faq.html)
FCC orders 2M people to power down cell phone signal boosters (Updated) | Ars (http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/02/fcc-orders-2m-people-to-power-down-cell-phone-signal-boosters/)
not for the faint of heart:
Use and Design of Signal Boosters Report and Order | FCC.gov (http://www.fcc.gov/document/use-and-design-signal-boosters-report-and-order)
the most popular boost manufacturer:
Cell Phone Signal Boosters and Antennas at Wilson Electronics | Wilson (http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/)
Lots of reading material. Anyone with experience that can shed light on what all this translates into?
I've been following a couple of threads over on Escapees - it sounds like new amplifiers should be approved by the FCC "hopefully soon", but are not there yet.
Registration to own a booster? What? Like CBs used to be... lol
Just another government method to keep track of us criminals so we dont disrupt someone's wifi driving down the road. :P
I understand that the issue revolves around existing cell amplifiers creating cross channel interference with some (or many, even) cells in the vicinity. Turns out that lots of these are bought by people who aren't RVers and are using them in cities and suburbs where they really are not in a fringe area but merely to ensure that they can "get out".
QC on some of these units is questionable at best.
Since I do not use my cell amp (Wilson Sleek) except when both Sue and I have poor signal coverage I suspect that I'm not creating any issues with nearby cells; but I suppose it's possible. They do want to idenfity who is using these and have some method of turning them off (it seems that users are seldom very interested in turning them off).
How much of these issues are caused by intermods is anyone's guess. But at least one tech claims that he traced an interfering signal to a house in which the owner claimed not to have a cell amplifier and slammed the door; but then the amp went off the air.
The manufacturers (importers?) of these are going to have to have them FCC approved and the power is going to be strictly limited. Not sure if it's a good idea to buy one now or not. I bought mine last winter before any inkling of the details was known.
Craig
I'm a little dubious of any of these boosters creating any 'cross-talk' for others, that is one of the inherent benefits of digital signal technology, it should be able, and usually is, more than capable of discriminating between signals of a myriad of devices. Think busy shoppingmall; there is a ton of cell devices, Wifi, lighting, security gates, microwave ovens, etc., and they all happily work right on top of each other...
Aren't cell boost amplifiers non-discriminate repeaters that boost whatever is coming in, on specific frequency bands? It seems they could over modulate and have loop-back issues between the boost inside & outside antennas.
Our newer Wilson boost kept shutting down as indicated on boost LED, so we end up using our older Wilson boost, but only when we cannot get a signal without it. It has been many months since we have turned our boost on. Anyone know what the shut down circuit is looking for?
We have smart phones, iPad with VZW data, but mainly use our 4G USB stick in our Cradlepoint router for Internet connectivity. We have a Wilson 'candy bar' inside antenna always rubberbanded to the USB stick, with Wilson NMO Trucker antenna on the motorhome roof on a ground plane. Wilson booster power is turned on for short periods when we have low or no tower signal. So our boost is ready to go at all times, a quick power-on with resulting more bars tells us it will help.
We have owned boosters for over 15 years. In the old days they were on full time.
I was told by Wilson's Tech Dept and read on the internet that non-specific cell boosters don't work well for cellular data reception. The data transmissions are on a different frequency range than regular cellular signals. Wilson makes specific booster/amplifiers for both Verizon and AT&T. They are specific to the carrier. They are also more expensive than their standard cell boosters.
I have found that using the "candy bar" antenna for the Wilson trucker direct to my Millenicom MiFi works better than going through the Wilson Booster. I too have an old Wilson and one of the newer ones with adjustable gain. Neither works as good as having the antenna direct to the MiFi.
I anticipate more booster/amplifiers becoming available and the price dropping as cellular data gets faster and usage as a primary internet connection grows. We have to use an outside antenna for internet here at our new Oklahoma Ozark Cabin and it still is very spotty. I hope prices come down and the units get better soon.