Cell phone signal booster

[woodchip]

I have sprint for my cell phone and they offer a usb connect to comp. signal booster called Airave. Have to pay a monthly fee to use it. Now I am more interested in something a bit more portable as I have issues where my shop is but I have no comp. there. So any suggestions on a more portable cellphone signal booster that really works?

[flip]

I'd try a mobile cellphone antenna that goes onto cars hooked up outside with a line to hook the cellphone into first. Just keep the antenna wire run as short as possible.

[Canuck]

Hmm if your signal is that poor reckon on spending 280-350 for a half decent CDMA 850/1900 MHZ version. The ones I was using for GSM were over $900.00 when they first come out and yes they worked.

Start your research here and remember an $89.00 device wont perform like the $280.00 one;
http://www.thenerds.net/WIRELESS_EXTEND ... Shop.ahtml

You could also fool around with a vertical gain quarter wave antenna and try getting your signal higher... it may work and is cheap to try. Just get a chunk of ferrous metal about a foot square and ground it, then pop a mobile mag-mount antenna in the middle to the antenna in port on the phone or cradle. DONT PUT THIS ON A ROOF... it will attract lightning. Also if your signal is very directional a $200.00 Yagi might work.

[woodchip]

Heh, tried to get a Airave booster on ebay and was outbid. Good thing because I then called Sprint just to see what their prices to buy were. first guy said the cost was going to be 270.00. I was like WTF? and told him I can buy the unit for 49.00 from ebay. So he said he'd "check". Long story short the 2nd guy I talked to said the unit would be free and no monthly charge to use it for 2 years (length of my plan). So I guess it pays to check around for all your options.

[Canuck]

Right on... free is the best price of all! Hope it solves your issues. That $49.00 one from Ebay was probably a rebuilt piece of crap from a dumpster diver that may or may have not worked.

[woodchip]

Got the unit and it works like a charm. From no bars to 5 bars. Nice to get something that works as advertised.