Cell phone repeater

[Buzz Saw]

Howdy All,

Anyone have experience with cell phone repeaters/signal amplifiers?

Outside of my pole barn I have 4G service with 3-4 bars. Walk inside my barn and boom, down to 3G with one bar of service. Sometimes it's really bad and it's not even 3G service.

I really need service in here so if you have anything that can help please share.

Thanks.

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[EatenByLimestone]

Some friends have a booster of some sort that hooks to the internet. They seem to like it.

 

[Buzz Saw]

I have crap Internet here, that's part of my need for the cell service.

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[EatenByLimestone]

All providers are equally bad?

 

[Buzz Saw]

I have two options. Frontier DSL at a max speed of 1.3MB/s or Hughes net at maybe 3 MB/s for almost $100 a month(prices last time I checked).

The Frontier Internet is intermittent at bast. Hulu won't work with it half the time if that is an indication of the speed. VOIP phones required twice to three time that speed.

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[semipro]

I believe that each cellular provider sells repeaters that work on their networks. At least I know that Verizon does. Whether you can buy generic ones that will work I don't know.

 

[johneh]

I take it that your barn has a steel roof
If so you will need a repeater . I got mine from
Amazon . Its called Smoothtalker Made in Canada
Maybe something similar in the US. Works well
in my steel roofed barns .

 

[Buzz Saw]

Yes, I have a steel roof & siding. Funny thing is it worked fine in the barn until I insulated &wired the barn.

I have Verizon if that means anything....

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[Buzz Saw]

I take it that your barn has a steel roof
If so you will need a repeater . I got mine from
Amazon . Its called Smoothtalker Made in Canada
Maybe something similar in the US. Works well
in my steel roofed barns .

I just checked Amazon. It looks like there are several models available. Do you know which one you have?

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[blades]

Run about 500 clams for transmit recieve units, independantly of carrier, I do not know what the carriers charge for their supplied / private labeled units.

 

[johneh]

This is the one I use
Not the best on the market
but works fine for me

• (broken link removed)

Smoothtalker Stealth Z1 60dB Building Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit

• Boost cell phone signal to your home, office, patio or recreational area to all devices simultaneously. Recommended for locations that are less than 10 miles from the closest tower.
• Coverage: Outside signal 4-5 bars: up to 3,500 sq. ft. Outside signal 3-4 bars: up to 2,500 sq. ft. Outside signal 1-3 bars: up to 1,400 sq. ft.
• Includes: Mobile Z1 60dB gain booster. • Wall charger with 6 ft. cord and mounting hardware. • Outside all weather wideband antenna with mounting hardware and 18ft. of co-ax cable. • Inside antenna that screws directly onto the booster. • 30 ft. antenna extension cable.
• Industry Canada Certified
• 2 year warranty - Made in Canada

 

[kennyp2339]

VZ Wireless is putting 5g boosters on many utility poles in my area, I bet if you gave them a call they would send a person out to find a power pole near your location and install a booster.

 

[iamlucky13]

We have a T-mobile repeater. They provided it for free by calling customer service, because my wife has a smartphone and our signal is week.

We usually get 1-2 bars upstairs. The repeater makes it a steady 3-4 bars all over the house, but occasionally the tower signal gets weak enough even the repeater loses its connection.

The T-mobile unit only works on 3G and LTE protocols, so my 2G dumb phone isn't helped by it, and the reliability is terrible. The first one never worked, and the second worked for about a month and died. We still need to send it back for replacement.

 

[Wooden Head]

Howdy All,

Anyone have experience with cell phone repeaters/signal amplifiers?

Outside of my pole barn I have 4G service with 3-4 bars. Walk inside my barn and boom, down to 3G with one bar of service. Sometimes it's really bad and it's not even 3G service.

I really need service in here so if you have anything that can help please share.

Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

A repeater should work well for you. You have reasonable signal outside the barn and you are just trying to get the signal from the outside in and inside out. Not sure of you interior, so carefully check the coverage of the unit inside the barn.

 

[iamlucky13]

Relevant info from Verizon:
https://www.verizonwireless.com/solutions-and-services/accessories/register-signal-booster/

I noticed Verizon sells a "network extender" on their website, but it uses a high speed internet connection, so it's different from a signal booster. Looks like you'll have to find a compatible 3rd party model.

 

[Corey]

Yes, I have a steel roof & siding. Funny thing is it worked fine in the barn until I insulated &wired the barn. ...

Likely the wiring more than anything. At some point, you likely hooked the metal building skin to electrical ground and created a giant Faraday cage keeping your cellular radio signal out. Repeater would be one option - provided you can set up an antenna outside to catch the signal outside and repeat it inside. Also, if you have an option or considered adding any windows or skylights, those might make enough breaks in the metal skin to let signal through.