How It Works; Reasons For Weak Cellular Signals - Wilson Electronics SignalBoost DT Installation Manual

How it Works
Your Wilson SignalBoost DT Amplifi er works by picking up a stronger signal from an antenna mounted on a
pole or wall outside your building or high on a window inside your building, facing the cell site. The amplifi er
then increases the signal and transmits it through the on­board antenna on the amplifi er to your cell phone or
laptop data card.
Figure 1
Reasons for Weak Cellular Signals
Anyone who uses a cell phone or cellular data card knows the frustration of not being able to connect to or
maintain a strong cellular signal. When this occurs, it's generally due to one of two reasons:
1. Location of the Nearest Cell Tower – Cell towers are situated to provide broad coverage; however, there
are many areas in which signal strength may be reduced by topographic features or by local government
restrictions on the height or placement of the towers themselves. Rural areas generally have fewer cell
towers than urban regions.
2. Natural and Man­made Obstructions – Signal strength can also be negatively affected by trees, hills,
buildings and other obstructions. You may be relatively close to a cell tower but still unable to make a call.
This often occurs in homes, offi ces and other buildings in which stucco, concrete or metal walls block the
signal.
The SignalBoost DT works with two antennas (included). The on­board antenna communicates with your cell
phone or laptop data card, and the cradle antenna communicates with the cell tower. The cradle antenna is
designed for installation outside on a wall or a pole, or inside on a window or wall, depending on your preferred
confi guration (see Figure 1).
The cradle antenna receives the outside signal and sends it through the coax cable to the SignalBoost DT,
where it is amplifi ed and retransmitted much more strongly through the on­board antenna into the room. When
the on­board antenna picks up a signal from your cell phone or data card, the amplifi er boosts that signal and
transmits it through the cable to the cradle antenna and back to the cell site. (Note: the SignalBoost DT will
only operate if there is adequate signal to amplify.)
For Technical Support, call 866­294­1660 or 435­673­5021.
Note: If 20'
separation is not
possible, see page 5.
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