Boosting the Cellular Signal, Inside? 38
Ryan Black asks: "I live in a suburban area where cellular signal strength is not what it should be. I am a Verizon customer, and while they have been courteous in addressing the issue, they have not been able to fix the situation. Is it possible to create a sort of cellular repeater to attach to the roof of my house? The signal outside is acceptable, it just cannot penetrate the walls of the building."
Here's how to fix it ... (Score:3, Insightful)
If VZW gets more than a few inquiries about cell signal in the same area, they'll send out one of those Test Guys (yes, they really _DO_ exist) in a car that looks like a porcupine to test the signal. Then they can adjust and/or add transmitters as appropriate.
Other things to note:
#1 - You need to convince your town council/zoning board/whomever that YES adding a cell transmitter is a good idea and NO it won't irradiate their children. Anyone with even a fundamental understanding of derivatives (any RF engineer) can explain why it is that the amount of RF output drops exponentially as you move away from the transmitter. Within a few feet, you're well within FCC limits. The NIMBY yuppies (Not In My Back Yard) folks are usually the ones screaming "YOU'RE IRRADIATING MY CHILDREN!!" at the town meetings, then b*tching up a storm in their Ford Extravagance when they can't make a cell call because they wouldn't let the cellco's put towers within 20 miles of them! Cellular towers are perfectly safe ------ just do the math!
#2 - You also need to not only let VZW know there's a problem, but get your neighbors to do so also. If there are any businesses in the area that have folks who use cells (sales forces, etc.) make them call too. We all have to remember that as important as it is to have great cell reception in your house, you also have to weigh the cost factor in. Transmitters ain't cheap. That's why you need your neighbors & businesses to call.
It's not that they're thinking "well, it's only one guy, screw him", but rather "How do we justify spending $20,000 to boost one customer's signal? We'll _never_ make a return on that!"
If you get some more people to complain, all of a sudden it's no longer a loss.....
Again, just like RF signals, it's all about the math....
--NBVB