Booster Systems May Help Mountain Cell Phone Users

Ah, the Rocky Mountains. They're wonderful for hiking, biking, skiing and just about every other activity you can think of. One thing they're not so great with? Cell phone reception.

Luckily, new technology has made it possible to enjoy the mountain lifestyle and also stay connected. Mountain business owners and residents can now install wireless cell phone boosters to help increase phone reception.

It works like this: a booster system includes an outdoor antenna, an amplifier and an inside antenna, plus cabling to connect the three.

The outside antenna collects the strongest cell signal available, which is then boosted by the amplifier and broadcast to the smaller antenna inside the building. The smaller antenna should then increase reception for cell phone users within its radius.

Once hooked up, the system can create coverage areas ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand feet.

Installation of the device is not generally difficult. Users must find the area of their building where cell phone reception is the strongest, which can be accomplished by walking around with a cell phone and finding the area that has the most bars.

The antenna should then be installed outside, as close as possible to that area. The inside antenna must be placed a certain number of feet away from the outside antenna - anywhere from 15 to 75 feet depending on the system model and signal strength - and the amplifier can usually go anywhere in between the two.

Other booster system variations have also been developed for motorists, individuals and RV users. These systems usually work in roughly the same manner as the larger wireless systems but sometimes require cell phone users to hook their phone up to a cable, which can limit mobility and the number of callers who can use the system.

There are downsides to installing any booster system, though, including the wireless ones. For starters, they're not cheap - most basic systems start at over $400 and prices go up steadily from there. And many systems will only work with a select number of cell phone providers' signals, so a Verizon user might get great reception while a Cingular user is left out in the cold.

Booster systems also might not work for everyone. An amplifier system will likely work if you're already able to make a cell phone call from the area where you will place the outside antenna - like the roof of your house or outside your front door. If you can't even get coverage there, then a booster system probably won't improve your situation.

Those who do decide to give a booster system a try should look for systems that are approved by the Federal Communications Commission or deemed "FCC Safe" by their manufacturers. Booster signals can't interfere with other communications, so their signals must be kept below three watts. Those who exceed this requirement risk FCC punishment if they're caught.

Despite the cautions and drawbacks involved with the relatively new business of signal boosting, residents and business owners who are willing to give booster systems a try will likely be rewarded with stronger, clearer phone conversations.

Sources:

FAQ page on wireless cell phone amplifiers - http://www.alternativewireless.com/cellular-antennas/wilson-antennas/wilson_cellular_amplifiers/wilson-smart-tech-building-cellular-amplifier-FAQ.html

Cell amplifier reviews - http://www.motorhometraveler.com/product-reviews/cell-amplifiers-reviews.html