Approximate Cellular Repeater Coverage Area
To calculate the estimated coverage area of a cellular repeater, 4 pieces of information is required:
- Cellular Frequency your device is receiving from your service provider at repeater location.
- Received Signal Strength Reading
- Length and type of cable used
- Cellular Amplifier Gain
We can help you calculate repeater area coverage using the gain of our amplifiers if you can collect the above info.
Step 1. Determine Cellular Frequency
Determine what frequency your service provider is using in your area. Typically, your mobile phone will work on multiple frequencies but your provider will only be using 1 frequency in the area your building is in. It will usually be in the range of 800MHz (including 850GSM), 1900MHz or Nextel iDen 800MHz. We do have multi-band cell phone repeaters but single band cellular repeaters cover larger areas. Contact your service provider's customer service or one of your service provider's local outlets for help.
Step 2. Get Received Signal Strength Reading
Put your cell phone into test mode and get a Received Signal Strength Level (RSSL) reading. This will be a number typically stated in db (ex -90db) Take this reading outside the building preferably at a location where you can mount an outside antenna such as the roof on the same side of your building your service provider's tower may be. Use the pdf document "Standard
Phone Test Modes " which has instructions for putting a cell phone into test
mode and reading Received Signal strength.
The higher the db reading the stronger the signal (ie. -100db is very weak and a -70 is strong)
If your mobile phone is not listed in this document or you need additional help getting a RSSL reading, contact Wilson Electronics tech support for help at 866-294-6996.
You won't be able to put some phones into test mode including many GSM phones from AT&T and T-Mobile. If a phone that can be put into test mode is not available, we can estimate signal strength by the number of bars of signal on a phone however, this method is not very accurate.
Step 3. Estimate Antenna / Cabling Needs
- Decide on which outside (Wilson Yagi recommended) and inside(s) antennas you will be using.
- Estimate where you will locate the outside antenna, amplifier/repeater (located near an AC outlet) and inside antennas.
- Calculate the cable lengths required to connect the outside antenna with the amplifier/repeater.
Concrete or metal interior walls will block the signal transmitted by inside antennas so determine if additional inside antennas and a splitter might be required. Sheet rock and studs (wood or metal) should not effect signal much if any. Calculate the cable lengths required to connect the inside antennas (and splitters if required) to the amplifier/repeater.
Step 4. Calculate Coverage Area
Using the formula:
Improved Signal Strength Distance = Amp Gain + RSSL + Cable Factor + Splitter Factor + Antenna Factor
"Finding Coverage Area For Wilson Amplifier / Repeaters" calculator to determines approximate coverage area (distance from interior antenna(s). Cable, Splitter and Antenna factors. Use this guide to determine estimated coverage area using Wilson amplifier / repeaters. It provides the formula for estimating coverage considering factors such as Received Signal strength outside of building, length and type of cable, antenna type and splitters used.
Need More Help?
Once you've gathered the information above, we can better help design a system that's right for you. Feel free to Contact us if you have questions or need additional help calculating coverage area.