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It is difficult to imagine our reality without cellular Internet connection. But urban residents, coming to the country, often encounter a weak signal. There are many reasons for this, but a weak signal is not a sentence, there are a number of ways to strengthen it.
Cellular signal booster: what it is and how it works
Where the signal strength of cellular communication is insufficient, it is necessary to use additional means to amplify it. The signal received by the antenna is amplified and distributed over the internal antennas, they receive a signal from mobile devices located in the coverage area, return it to the repeater, and after amplification, it transmits the signal to the base tower. In theory, everything seems simple, but there are many nuances that determine the choice of equipment, its installation and configuration.
The main causes of poor-quality cellular communication
Communication does not necessarily disappear in rural areas or remote areas, the signal weakens sharply in underground structures, workshops and hangars with metal walls, reinforced concrete buildings, on narrow winding streets where buildings close the nearest base stations. Sometimes the reason is obvious, for example, the roof of a house made of metal.
But more often, special efforts are needed in order to determine the signal parameters and take measures to improve them. And it does not require complex devices. For example, such a function is already built into iOS; a special program for monitoring GSM / 3G / 4G networks must be installed on an Android smartphone. The measured parameters will tell you the direction to the base communication tower, the parameters of the received signals and the possibility of their amplification.
Mobile signal quality indicators1
What equipment is needed to amplify the signal
There are quite a few options for organizing an amplifying complex for a cellular signal in the country.
Modem Amplifiers
These devices are designed to increase the signal level of cellular communications indoors. Such an amplifier may consist of two blocks. The receiving unit is placed in a place where the reception is confident, and the distributing unit is where the mobile devices are located. The device amplifies the Internet signal, but can also be used to exchange voice messages via instant messengers.
Routers with antennas
Routers with external antennas require their own SIM card. Devices with MIMO antennas operating with signals of different polarization are especially effective. The antenna is connected to the connector on the router case with a coaxial cable, distribution indoors is carried out via Wi-Fi.
Repeaters
Devices for amplifying the received and transmitted signal on one or more cellular communication bands. Be sure to connect an external and internal antenna. All of them must be certified in Our Country and have an automatic signal level control system. Otherwise, you may interfere with the cellular network and be fined.
Antennas
Outdoor antennas can be narrowly focused on the base tower and designed for the signal of a specific operator. Or it is necessary to amplify a weak signal of several communication standards, then you need an antenna that uses MIMO technology, that is, it perceives and transmits different standards and cellular frequencies of different polarizations. This versatile equipment is highly efficient and restores communication at a distance of up to 20 km from the base tower.
Equipment kits
Only a qualified specialist is able to independently select a set of components to ensure the summer cottage with a confident reception of cellular communications and the Internet. It is more expedient to use ready-made kits that are offered by many online stores of manufacturers of such equipment.
How to connect do-it-yourself cellular signal amplification equipment
Each manufacturer supplies their cellular signal amplification equipment kits with detailed installation and connection instructions. They may differ in details, but always include the following points:
- First of all, you need to determine the direction and strength of the cellular signal. The possibility of such monitoring is already built into the iPhone OS, the owners of a smartphone on the Android OS will have to install the program from Google Play.
- To install the antenna, the highest point on the roof of the house is selected. Most often, fasteners are designed for a pipe. It can be a mast or an L-bracket on the wall.
- The installation site of the repeater inside the house is selected and the cable route is marked for connecting the antenna to the amplifier. The room must meet the specifications for temperature and humidity. These data and the optimal cable length must be specified in the installation instructions.
- The cable is laid along the marked route, the outer connector is connected to the antenna, the inner connector is connected to the connector of the amplifier installed on the wall. The cable must not have sharp bends to avoid damage. The outer connector is sealed with heat shrink,
- The repeater is mounted away from heating devices. It must be grounded.
- It is possible to connect several internal antennas through a signal splitter.
- Disconnecting the external antenna while the amplifier is running can damage it.
- After connecting the amplifier to the network, make sure that the alarm indicator is not lit in red. This is a signal that the amplifier is overexcited and likely to interfere with the operation of the base cell tower. The signal level must be reduced by manual adjustment, otherwise the inspectors will quickly appear and impose a serious fine.
Popular questions and answers
Answered questions from KP readersCEO of Mos-GSM Andrey Kontorin and expert of the online hypermarket “VseInstrumenty.ru” Maxim Sokolov.
Can I use equipment from Chinese online stores to amplify the signal?
“There is no ban on such purchases. The first thing that attracts the buyer in the amplifying devices of Chinese online stores is the low price. But low price is not always good quality. I would even say almost never. Therefore, if a person buys repeaters in Chinese online stores, then with a probability of 90% he will have problems with the signal.
Our experience suggests that outwardly identical repeaters can be manufactured at different factories with different components: someone uses normal components, someone is frankly bad. Cheap components make the price attractive to the consumer. But people, succumbing to the temptation of a low price, get hum, noise, the constant need to reboot the device, frequently burning power supplies, etc. Often such devices fail within six months.
Maxim Sokolov:
“Chinese repeaters are chosen because they are cheaper, have a large gain and coverage area. But such an acquisition is, in a sense, a lottery. The low price is due to the secondary use of parts and the lack of overload shutdown, loopback and automatic gain control in most circuits. This may cause interference to the base station and the operator may apply to the court for a penalty. And it can reach many thousands of rubles if the repeater is not certified in Our Country, and most Chinese models do not have certificates.
Does it make sense to amplify the 3G signal?
“Of course it has. If we talk about the Internet, then using 3G you can get speeds from 10 to 30 megabits per second. There are also no barriers to voice communication. But you need to do this only if there is no high-quality 4G signal. If you choose between boosting a weak 4G signal or a good 3G signal, it’s more profitable to boost a stable 3G signal.”
What is more profitable: cell signal booster or satellite connection?
“Satellite communications are very expensive. Tariffs start from several thousand rubles a month, plus the cost of equipment is high. So strengthening the cellular signal in the country is more profitable.
Andrey Kontorin:
“The kit for amplifying cellular communications is bought and installed once, but there is no subscription fee. That is, it is “passive equipment”, it does not require regular investments.”
Where should the antenna be mounted to amplify the signal?
“If we are talking about an external antenna that receives a signal, then the proverb “What you sow, so you reap” is appropriate here. Obviously, it must be installed in the zone of the most confident reception. You can calculate this zone using a special analyzer, or, at worst, using a phone. It is best to mount the antenna at the highest point.
Proper installation of an external antenna is a guarantee of high-quality operation of the entire system. If we install an external antenna in an area where the signal is poor, then we will get such a signal inside the room.
The installation of internal antennas must also be approached responsibly. If we install one antenna, there should be no difficulties. But if the object has a lot of rooms and ceilings, then a professional calculation is needed here. You can, of course, install an antenna in each room, or you can install fewer antennas, but without compromising signal quality, if you calculate their installation professionally.
What is signal loopback?
“The system must be installed in such a way that there is no “loopback” of the signal. It is necessary to space the internal and external antennas at least 15 meters apart, avoid their orientation to each other, it is desirable that there is a concrete or brick wall between them.
What is signal loopback? Suppose we have mounted all the equipment, we turn on the amplifier, which supplies power to the internal antenna, and the internal antenna starts to emit a signal. If this signal is “hooked” by an external antenna, then a “loopback” will occur. Thus, the signal will go around in a circle – phones and other communication devices will show all the divisions on the signal indicators, but will not work.
Sources of
- https://www.4g.kiev.ua/blog/usilenie-signala-mobilnoi-sviazi-2g-3g-4g-lte