Cell booster needed for a metal building

[undeg01]

I recently purchased a property with a 1,200 sq ft hunting cabin/metal building. I get perfect cell signal outside of the cabin but lose signal to the point that I cannot have a conversation on the phone when inside. I’m looking for a reasonable but effective cell booster so that I can work remotely while staying at the cabin.

Any recommendations? What do you have that works for you in a similar environment?

 

[Gringobandito]

If you have internet, you can use a regular cell booster you can get from a carrier. They typically don’t work with dsl or satellite and need about 4mb to work. If you do have WiFi already, you could simply enable WiFi calling on your phone for voice and data service.

 

[NightShade]

My best guess is that a cabin for hunting likely doesn't have land lines running to it let alone in a place where internet is capable.

What matters with the boosters is which network you are on, they are often setup to only work with certain frequencies. The ones that do handle them all so to speak cost more. https://amzn.to/3as3vHV does them all but it's 400 when one that covers only a couple is about 240 https://amzn.to/34XZzgH

You will also need to figure out the location of the tower you are connecting to. The outdoor antenna's are directional so the better it is aimed the better the signal will end up being. As far as what works and what doesn't, well if you know someone who has one and uses the same service in the same area that helps but beyond that it's tough to say. But going with a fly by night company just because it's cheap probably is not the best idea. They must be certified by the FCC which increases the cost hence why the ones the fly by night people are so cheap, they don't get certified. You are also supposed to register with the carrier's, take a look here for some information https://www.signalbooster.com/pages/register-cell-phone-signal-booster

Buying from someplace with a good return policy is the best bet. Set it up temporarily so you can test it out and see if it works and use an application to help show what tower you are connected to when outside so you can aim to that tower as well. OpenSignal will work pretty well for that, otherwise you can look up tower information directly from the FCC https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistrationSearch.jsp though sometimes it will be a pain to figure who is using a tower unless it's owned by the carrier themselves. It should help pinpoint where a particular tower is though.

 

[undeg01]

My best guess is that a cabin for hunting likely doesn't have land lines running to it let alone in a place where internet is capable.

What matters with the boosters is which network you are on, they are often setup to only work with certain frequencies. The ones that do handle them all so to speak cost more. https://amzn.to/3as3vHV does them all but it's 400 when one that covers only a couple is about 240 https://amzn.to/34XZzgH

You will also need to figure out the location of the tower you are connecting to. The outdoor antenna's are directional so the better it is aimed the better the signal will end up being. As far as what works and what doesn't, well if you know someone who has one and uses the same service in the same area that helps but beyond that it's tough to say. But going with a fly by night company just because it's cheap probably is not the best idea. They must be certified by the FCC which increases the cost hence why the ones the fly by night people are so cheap, they don't get certified. You are also supposed to register with the carrier's, take a look here for some information https://www.signalbooster.com/pages/register-cell-phone-signal-booster

Buying from someplace with a good return policy is the best bet. Set it up temporarily so you can test it out and see if it works and use an application to help show what tower you are connected to when outside so you can aim to that tower as well. OpenSignal will work pretty well for that, otherwise you can look up tower information directly from the FCC https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistrationSearch.jsp though sometimes it will be a pain to figure who is using a tower unless it's owned by the carrier themselves. It should help pinpoint where a particular tower is though.

Lots of good info here. Thanks!

 

[KurtM]

You do realize that metal building is like a Faraday box. If you have good signal outside, but no signal inside I would think you just need a insulated antenna wire brought in from outside to put your phone near.

 

[tyromeo55]

I’ve done a couple of these. I’d try a passive solution first If you do have really good signal outside then get a decent outdoor antenna and a decent indoor antenna. Connect them together with a piece of lm400 cable. Try to keep the cable as short as reasonable. Worst case you end up putting an amp in the middle

 

[inactive]

... &tag=ventshopnet ...

I've noticed it before but finally curious enough to ask. Aren't you supposed to disclose that you're posting links with your Amazon Affiliate referral links in order to be compliant with the Associates Program TOS?


5. Identifying Yourself as an Associate
You must clearly state the following, or any substantially similar statement previously allowed under this Agreement, on your Site or any other location where Amazon may authorize your display or other use of Program Content: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”


I (and about anyone who's ever listened to a podcast) get how referral links work; no one pays more but you do get a tiny commission from those to click through the link, which is why you're linking them that way.

 

[NightShade]

Well lets put it this way, I mainly use it as a link shortener, the links half the time are extremely long. However if I make a dollar a month off of the information I give is it worth it? I can just as easily not help anyone out, if there is an issue I will end up doing just that. So far I have not had any complaints.

Since I am not commercializing the site I didn't figure it was an issue. I can just as easily bounce the links to another page where you see nothing but a quick flash and don't even have the time to read a statement. Either way I think the information I give is worth a lot more than what I make off of it. You don't see attorney's handing out free advice on the forums yet I do quite often.

 

[inactive]

I certainly have seen you be helpful many, many times. I’ve been on this site for a good long while (even before this current registered account).

I’d just hate to see someone kicked off the affiliate program for violating the TOS. It’s happened to a lot of people specifically for the failure to disclose the affiliate program links.

 

[Glock 40]

Good boosters aren't cheap. Avoid the cheap junk on Amazon and eBay. They cause more problems than they are worth. Make sure you follow the directions and get the antennas seperated. https://www.weboost.com/ makes good products that support most carriers.