Contents
- Editor’s Choice
- Top 10 best cellular signal and Internet repeaters according to KP
- Как выбрать репитер сигнала сотовой связи и интернета
- Расчет системы усиления сотовой связи (схема)
- Popular questions and answers
You, your relatives or colleagues complain: the Internet does not catch, the cellular signal is bad. You start looking for ways to amplify the signal. There are two types of kits to choose from in 2022: modem + antenna or repeater + antenna. In this article we will talk about the best sets of repeaters. They are also called “active signal amplifier” or “repeater”.
Репитер повысит качество сигнала в помещении. Но только в том случае, если в округе есть базовые станции мобильных операторов. Если на пальцах объяснять принцип работы, то устроено все так: снаружи здания (лучше всего на крыше), устанавливается антенна. Она наводится на сотовую вышку и ловит сигнал. От антенны по кабелю сигнал уходит на репитер. Эта «коробочка» стоит внутри помещения. У репитера в свою очередь есть собственные антенны. С них и «раздается» сигнал. Получаем своего рода посредника-проводника, который ловит сигнал на улице и транслирует в помещение.
Где может понадобиться репитер сигнала сотовой связи и интернета:
- residential areas with a high building density of multi-storey buildings;
- a house or an industrial facility is surrounded by complex terrain: hillocks, forests;
- large industrial and office facilities;
- a house located in a suburban village, where the signal of a cellular operator is poorly “finished off”;
- premises in the basement and basements of houses;
- commercial premises (shops, restaurants) of non-standard layout and location.
Equipment suppliers most often sell ready-made kits: a repeater, a set of antennas (external and internal), a cable. Although if you have a large industrial facility, this will not be enough. Additional equipment like boosters, splitters, etc. is used. Such a system clearly requires competent alignment of the entire scheme by specialists. We will tell you about the best cellular and Internet signal repeaters in 2022 for mass use.
Important!
In the material, we will talk about specific brands and their lines of repeaters. When you come to the store or choose online, you will see the designation of the ranges for each of the models. It is important to know the range of your operator – cellular communications and 3G, 4G Internet in a specific area where the signal is to be strengthened.
In Our Country, most operators use the 900 MHz band for voice communications. Tele2 uses 2100 MHz more often. For 3G mobile Internet, many use 2100 MHz, while 4G operates at 1800 MHz outside the city and 2600 MHz in cities. But there may be exceptions, since 4G, in principle, can work in all popular bands.
If you do not have the opportunity to get advice, then it is better to purchase repeaters for GSM-900, DCS-1800 and WCDMA-2100 frequencies or multi-band ones that cover all frequencies.
Editor’s Choice
«DalCOMMUNICATION DS-900/2100-20»
Лучший репитер предлагает «ДалСВЯЗЬ». Эта модель — готовый комплект. Антенны и кабели уже в наборе, ничего докупать не нужно. При условии, что сборка отвечает масштабам и характеристикам вашего помещения (до 500 м²). Устройство относится к классу «умных», то есть, у него полностью автоматическая настройка параметров. Включил и все работает, подробная инструкция по эксплуатация прилагается к комплекту.
The device has a large display with an indication of the status of operation and errors, the entire interface is translated into . The “smart” component also manifests itself in the automatic activation of energy saving (increases the service life of the device). The device also has the function of auto-shutdown of the output power in case of exit from the normal operating mode. It enhances the signals of the Big Four operators: MTC, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2.
The manufacturer offers other frequency combinations for such a solution, as well as more powerful amplification systems, including digital and optical, for large-scale projects.
Features
| Coverage area | up to 500 m² |
| Gain | 75 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | from 20 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
Top 10 best cellular signal and Internet repeaters according to KP
1. PicoCell
Large developer and supplier of repeaters. Immediately, in their advantages, we will write down the separation of equipment according to goals and objectives, which is quite understandable for the layman. For example, they have assembled kits for standard apartments and country houses, parking lots, cafes and restaurants. That is, the buyer does not need to seriously dive into the topic: buy a kit, install it correctly and everything will work.
The equipment is quite powerful, more than enough to cover standard and very large areas. They produce rare five-band repeaters. They are also called multi-band. They cover absolutely all civil communication standards in Our Country in 2022.
Features
| Coverage area | up to 300, 500, 800, 1500, 3000 m² |
| Gain | 60 to 80 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | 17 to 30 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
2. «Orbit»
The most massive brand of repeaters and probably the most affordable in terms of price. This equipment is sold by most offline outlets that sell equipment to amplify the signal of cellular communications and the Internet. It’s also easy to buy online. Repeaters look pretty utilitarian. This is more suitable for some commercial or industrial premises than for a house or apartment. Most brand repeaters are sold without cables and antenna kit.
Features
| Coverage area | up to 200 m² |
| Gain | 55 to 70 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | 16 to 23 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
3. Crook
The repeaters are manufactured by the domestic research and production company Kroks. On sale are both ready-made kits, and only repeaters, for which you yourself can choose an antenna, wiring. The prices are average for the market, the line is essentially the same. That is, for example, there are no other brands of models with a display and a signal indicator. Although the repeaters themselves support operation in one, two or three bands. The company also makes boosters – this device compensates for power losses in the cable, they are placed between the antenna and the repeater.
Features
| Coverage area | up to 100, 150, 200 or 300 m² |
| Gain | 50 to 70 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | 13 to 22 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
4. Vegatel
The company sells digital and fixed (analogue) repeaters. The first are more expensive, more powerful, the signal is transmitted in them with maximum quality. In addition, the device has many settings to, for example, limit power, achieve a uniform coverage area.
Stationary repeaters are produced both for a specific range and with support for several communication standards at once. The manufacturer also has a large range of its own boosters, cables, various antennas, with which you can assemble your best kit.
Speaking of package solutions – when you get a ready-made system out of the box. The brand also has them. From the interesting: Vegatel sells kits to amplify the signal in the car: what if you have an armored car?
Features
| Coverage area | up to 300, 600, 1500, 2000 or 3000 m² |
| Gain | 60 to 90 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | 15 to 38 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
5. Vixion
A laconic line of repeaters to enhance cellular communications. Here you need to carefully choose a model, since each is sharpened for a specific range: 900, 1800, 2100 or 2600 MHz. Only complete solutions are on sale, that is, you cannot buy the device separately. But from the additional accessories in the kit, adapters, cables and antennas – you can bring the assembly to the desired characteristics yourself or contact the supplier for advice.
Features
| Coverage area | up to 100 m² |
| Gain | 65 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | 13 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
6. REMO Orange
For cellular communications and the Internet, devices with a prefix of 900 or 2600 are suitable. The first is responsible only for voice communications, and the second is suitable for LTE (4G) Internet if it operates at a frequency of 2600 MHz. In fact, these two solutions cover most of the required set of ranges in Our Country, that is, it is consistent with the operating frequencies of most operators. But before buying it is better to clarify once again. REMO does not have such a device, so that both communication and the Internet are amplified at the same time.
Features
| Coverage area | up to 100 m² |
| Gain | 45 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | 13 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
7. “Tricolor”
A large satellite TV operator produces signal amplifiers under its own brand. We must give them their due: the packaging, the kit, and the devices themselves are made with the maximum focus on the convenience of the consumer.
The amplifiers themselves look neat, no wires, blinking, as if at a party, indicators. Although this is not an unambiguous plus, nevertheless, the bulbs help in some cases to diagnose malfunctions. “Tricolor” produces only devices for a specific communication range: one repeater for one range.
Features
| Coverage area | up to 100 m² |
| Gain | from 50 to 70 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | 15 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
8. MediaWave
A company that positions its products exclusively as repeaters for self-installation. Everything you need for assembly and installation is included, plus clear instructions.
There are devices that support three standards at once (900/1800/2100 or 1800/2100/2600 MHz), but they are “for advanced users”. Therefore, it is assumed that the buyer understands the topic and the complete set – wires, antennas – will be assembled by himself.
There are industrial devices of special strength and performance – they withstand from -20 to +50 degrees Celsius and immediately cover 8000 m².
Features
| Coverage area | до 200, до 1000, до 1200, до 2000, до 8000 м² |
| Gain | from 65 to 80 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | 15 to 27 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
9. Titan
It is a sub-brand of Vegatel. But if the parent brand produces universal devices, high power and for any task, then Titan is more suitable for domestic needs – a summer house, a cottage, an apartment. The amplifier comes in a recognizable dark blue design. There is a signal strength adjustment and a useful indicator that signals if the external and internal antennas are too close to each other.
Features
| Coverage area | up to 350 or 1000 m² |
| Gain | 61 to 70 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | 20 to 23 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
10. iTone
Простенькие и недорогие устройства в формате: «достал, включил в розетку и работает». Для сложных случаев вроде больших квартир или коттеджей с толстыми стенами не подходит. А вот «запитать» сигналом дачный домик или малогабаритную квартиру в новостройке, куда пока не дотянулись сотовые операторы, можно. Устройства продаются только комплектом. Закрывают только частоты в 900 или 2100 МГц. Сам усилитель очень компактный, размером с современный смартфон. Выполнен в черном пластиковом корпусе: в современном интерьере должен выглядеть естественно.
Features
| Coverage area | up to 150 m² |
| Gain | up to 50 dB |
| Мощность передатчиков | up to 23 dBm |
Advantages and disadvantages
Как выбрать репитер сигнала сотовой связи и интернета
We found out which 3G, LTE (4G) voice and Internet amplifiers are the best. Now let’s talk about the nuances of choosing equipment.
How to find out the desired frequency of the repeater
Radio reconnaissance is to be carried out. It sounds responsible, but in fact, everything is simple. The main thing is that you have an Android smartphone at hand. In his app store, you need to download the measurement program. They don’t fit on the iPhone, you need to do everything manually through a special menu, and it doesn’t display all the indicators.
Find one of the applications “DalSVYAZ – signal measurement” or “Cell Towers, Locator” or “Net Monitor Lite” in the Play Market. They measure signal strength. Run the program on a phone with one SIM card, and if you have two slots, then disable the second one.
Launch the app and take a measurement. This should be done where the external antenna will be and indoors. Write down the parameters “signal strength”, “communication standard” and “ARFCN frequency”. Next, check this data with the specification of the repeater you want to buy. Or dictate them to a consultant.
Choose a repeater for an operator in your region
Operators use several frequencies, moreover, depending on the region and the base station, they can work on different ones. We recommend that you call your company’s contact center and ask which of the towers is capturing your address.
This information will also help you choose the best repeater. It is important to make a reservation here that if subscribers use different operators at your facility, then it is better to buy a multi-band device in order to cover all the signals at once.
Install the antenna correctly
Внешнюю антенну важно направить четко в сторону базовой станции оператора. Для этого идеальным местом размещения является крыша, чтобы свести к минимуму помехи от рельефа и окружающих зданий.
The maximum speed of the Internet with a repeater will still not be
Some of the speeds will be lost, as the signal quality deteriorates during the retransmission process. It will catch on a larger area indoors, where the internal antenna finishes off, however, it still cannot be compared with outdoor reception. Here again, it is appropriate to recall the installation height of the external antenna. The better it catches the signal, the more speeds it will reach the user. Perhaps you should think about mounting the antenna on the mast.
What parameters to pay attention to
In addition to operating frequencies that match your carrier, look at the “gain” parameter, which is measured in decibels (dB). For modern devices, it is usually in the range from 60 to 75, but there are amendments in one direction or another. The higher the number (the most expensive devices give out up to 90 dB), the larger the area will be covered by the repeater. Power is also important to increase signal coverage and quality. It is measured in dBm – decibel per milliwatt. Sometimes the milliwatts (mW) parameter is indicated. Everything is also simple here: the larger the number, the better the device.
Check which cable comes with the repeater
Cable resistance should be 50 ohms. If you see the number 75 ohms, then this is a cable for a television antenna, cheaper. With this, the power of the repeater will be lost.
Расчет системы усиления сотовой связи (схема)
Popular questions and answers
The KP answers frequently asked questions from readers Александр Лукьянов, продакт-менеджер компании ДалСВЯЗЬ.
What parameters of a cellular repeater should you pay attention to first of all?
• В России наиболее активно используются bands 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2600 MHz. Amplifiers are single-band, two / three / four / five-band. Accordingly, repeaters can be designed to amplify only one frequency range, or several at the same time.
• Gain indicates by how many decibels (dB) the signal from the base station to the repeater can be amplified. The larger the value, the weaker signal can be amplified.
• Repeater output power, expressed in decibel milliwatts (dBm), indicates at what maximum power the device can operate. The parameter directly affects the desired coverage area of the cellular signal in the premises.
• Тип высокочастотного разъема amplifier is important at the stages of calculation of insertion loss. In other words, with bad connectors and cable, signal transmission deteriorates. The recommended repeater connectors are N/SMA type with a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms.
How to correctly calculate the power of a cellular signal repeater?
Suppose that we are only interested in amplifying voice communications in a three-room country house. We climb onto the roof and take a measurement. According to the results of the measurement, the signal strength received during the call is -51 dBm. The call was made at a frequency of 900 MHz.
Let’s say you plan to buy an 8 dB gain antenna for your external antenna. Losses per cable and N-type connectors in each section of the cable route – 2 dB. The output power radiated from the internal antennas must not be less than 15 dBm.
A repeater is selected with sufficient output power of 20 dBm (to cover the area of the rooms of the house) and a gain of 65 dB. The antenna and repeater gains are added together to calculate the total system gain. It will be necessary to purchase additional directional signal couplers in order to proportionally distribute the power among the internal antennas in different rooms. Taps take some of the power of the repeater, keep this in mind.
Можно ли подключить репитер сотовой связи самостоятельно?
What are the main mistakes when choosing a cellular repeater?
2) The next error is buying the most budget repeater low power of 15 dBm (equivalent to 30 mW) and a gain of 60 dB to enhance the cellular signal in an object with an area of more than 300 m² and a weak signal level on an external antenna – -100 dBm, for example. Such a repeater can cope with the amplification of a cellular signal in a small room up to 300 m² with an excellent signal level outside (-51 dBm, for example).
3) Cellular amplification system mismatch can occur when using a repeater with 75 ohm F-type connectors and a 50 ohm impedance antenna. This will result in loss in signal propagation. A high-quality cellular amplification system is built on high-frequency coaxial cables with a wave impedance of 50 ohms and N / SMA type connectors.
4) Purchase and incorrect use of an uncertified repeater may lead to claims from regulatory authorities and disruptions in the operation of cellular networks.