FINALLY! Cellular Service Inside the House!!!

[vvvvvvv]

Those who have called and talked to me on the phone know what I'm talkin' about.

I live smack dab in the middle of two cell phone towers. Problem is, I've got a hill blocking me from them a half mile in both directions.

With the advice of some other members here, I finally got me a repeater. I've been talking about it for a while, but I wanted to make sure I'd get something that would work before laying out $350 for it.

So it arrived today, and I just got done installing it. Between balancing achieving LOS, fear of heights, and how high the single guy wire could support my fat ass, I got it mounted.

So now, instead of having to run outside as soon as I get a phone call so I can get 1-2 bars, I now have 3-4 (out of 6) throughout most of the faraday cage!

Next on the todo list: a new set of guy wires and anchor points for all three corners (the one existing wire is bailing wire... I'm still surprised it's held up), and then I can climb to the top and realign or replace the TV antenna.

 

[tRidiot]

Which model did you get, what is the bubble range for signal boosting, and what was the cost?

Thanks!

 

[vvvvvvv]

Which model did you get, what is the bubble range for signal boosting, and what was the cost?

Thanks!

CellPhone-Mate CM2000-WL-55 DUAL BAND AMP KIT

$338 shipped.

I get about 36ft at 3 bars, but at that point I'm going into another room. That other room jumps back and forth between 1 and 2, but holds a call just fine.



Additional cost: almost wetting myself when I tried to get a better position on the tower to mount it, and watch the single "guy wire" develop nearly 2 feet of sag.

 

[morganjokc]

That's sweet!!! I am glad everything worked out!!

 

[fordguy]

Veggie Meat,
If I may ask, how tall is your tower and was it difficult to hook up?

The reason I ask is that I live in a low spot and can't get a cell signal.

I talked to one wi-fi company to try to get high speed internet and he said that I would need a 70 foot tower. I don't think I would need one that tall for a cell signal, but I'm having a hard time trying to get a workable solution to either high speed internet or a cell phone signal.
It doesn't help that I am not very electronic/computer savvy.
Thanks

 

[vvvvvvv]

Veggie Meat,
If I may ask, how tall is your tower and was it difficult to hook up?

The reason I ask is that I live in a low spot and can't get a cell signal.

I talked to one wi-fi company to try to get high speed internet and he said that I would need a 70 foot tower. I don't think I would need one that tall for a cell signal, but I'm having a hard time trying to get a workable solution to either high speed internet or a cell phone signal.
It doesn't help that I am not very electronic/computer savvy.
Thanks

I only had to go up about 20ft to get LOS to the first cell tower. I've got another 24ft above that if I need it. Really, if I only go up another couple of feet I could get LOS to the other cell tower, too, but the bolts on that section are rusted through and there were a couple of bolts missing. I stepped onto it and it swayed way too much, so I backed down to where my feet were on a solid section.

It really depends on where you are at in relation to other towers. All I'm trying to do is get within LOS because of short hills in the way. I'm well within range of an omni-directional antenna on both of those cell towers. If you're more than 8 miles away, you'll likely need a directional antenna.

We'll see if I really mounted it high enough come springtime. I'm shooting right through the very top of a tree right now, but it has no leaves on it. But I'll have put up guy wires and replaced bolts by then.

I know one thing: this freeclimbing and mounting stuff has eased my fear of heights. I still don't have a balls for a 1700 footer, but I'm now confident enough to mount the guys myself.

Have you tried getting on your rooftop and looking to see if you can see the cell towers? If you need to know what you're looking for, go for a drive down the interstate. Most of them look the same and you'll see them about every 6-8 miles depending on location and estimated traffic levels. They generally have a triangular array at the top with 3 antennas on each side. The array is almost always at or near the top of the tower. They also usually have microwave dishes about halfway up pointed horizontal to the next tower down the highway. At least, that's my observation of the ones out here.

By the way, 44-45ft of tower is shorter than I expected. I was guesstimating 35ft based off of surroundings.

 

[dennishoddy]

Like you, I live less than a mile from a cell tower and get little reception.
We can still get calls in the house, but have to go the bathroom to talk.

 

[vvvvvvv]

Like you, I live less than a mile from a cell tower and get little reception.
We can still get calls in the house, but have to go the bathroom to talk.

Mine are about 4.5 miles or so each, but pesky hills.

Now I just need the OTA TV channels, and I'll be a happy camper in my trailer because I'll be able to watch the NASCAR races at home!

 

[fordguy]

I only had to go up about 20ft to get LOS to the first cell tower. I've got another 24ft above that if I need it. Really, if I only go up another couple of feet I could get LOS to the other cell tower, too, but the bolts on that section are rusted through and there were a couple of bolts missing. I stepped onto it and it swayed way too much, so I backed down to where my feet were on a solid section.

It really depends on where you are at in relation to other towers. All I'm trying to do is get within LOS because of short hills in the way. I'm well within range of an omni-directional antenna on both of those cell towers. If you're more than 8 miles away, you'll likely need a directional antenna.

We'll see if I really mounted it high enough come springtime. I'm shooting right through the very top of a tree right now, but it has no leaves on it. But I'll have put up guy wires and replaced bolts by then.

I know one thing: this freeclimbing and mounting stuff has eased my fear of heights. I still don't have a balls for a 1700 footer, but I'm now confident enough to mount the guys myself.

Have you tried getting on your rooftop and looking to see if you can see the cell towers? If you need to know what you're looking for, go for a drive down the interstate. Most of them look the same and you'll see them about every 6-8 miles depending on location and estimated traffic levels. They generally have a triangular array at the top with 3 antennas on each side. The array is almost always at or near the top of the tower. They also usually have microwave dishes about halfway up pointed horizontal to the next tower down the highway. At least, that's my observation of the ones out here.

By the way, 44-45ft of tower is shorter than I expected. I was guesstimating 35ft based off of surroundings.

Thanks for the info. That gives me some ideas on what I need to do.

 

[redneck1861]

I wish I got sell signal at my house