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I need a signal booster!

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Hi I'm a bit confused.
Ive just moved to a new property - out in the country. Yeah great but I can't get a mobile signal inside the house (only outside - or if I stand in the window). I also tried setting up a repeater to amplify next door's wireless broadband signal so we could share the connection. Again, no luck with that - only if I stand outside!! That's no good!
Also, I don't have TV, but I do need to get an aerial to plug into my digital monitor.
Before I buy one (and I bet you it won't pick up a signal - unless, wait for it, it's sat outside(!)) can anyone advise if there's a product that can perhaps be used for all those purposes? Someone mentioned that my repeater could be used to boost the mobile phone signal inside the house.
And I just read that if getting a cell booster, one should be placed outside, and the other indoors. My repeater is one unit!

Thanks
DEBT-FREE AS OF JULY 2012!!!
£8639.00 paid off since Sept 2009 :T
Well Done Me!!

Comments

  • bluesnake
    bluesnake Posts: 1,460 Forumite
    the most important part of your answer is a good aerial.

    Your post is about mobile, tv, and wireless, still good aerials are the best start. Only amplify a good signal as there is no point in amplifying noise.

    to pilfer :) your neighbours wifi, you (and probably them too, but depends on distance) should get a directional external aerial plus some coax to connect the external ariel to the internal 'box'

    this 'box' could be the cheap device here, although the aerial is a bit poor for great distances http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WiFiSKY-2000mW-USB-Wireless-WiFi-802-11b-g-Adaptor-10dBi-Antenna-Realtek-8187L-/150829345713?pt=US_USB_Wi_Fi_Adapters_Dongles&hash=item231e212bb1

    this is not a bad aerial, but you may need better http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18dBi-2-4GHz-Yagi-directional-antenna-WiFi-WLAN-N-Type-/230641235923?pt=UK_Computing_Boosters_Extenders_Antennas&hash=item35b349f7d3

    also the 'box' could be a special wifi router too.

    You need not rely on wifi, as there are also laser solutions available too.

  • I can't really help you in much detail except to say I have seen a 3G mobile signal booster in a property. This was a very specific product specifically for mobile phone signals.
    It consisted of an aerial to be mounted outside and set facing the nearest/best mobile phone mast along with a square repeater unit (approx 6 inch by 6 inch) mounted inside the house on an upstairs ceiling somewhere to which the aerial was connected by cable. Also connected to the lot was the power brick unit to the mains 240V power.
  • starson79
    starson79 Posts: 87 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    I appreciate your answers. Thanks to you.

    I still haven't got Internet but am determined to sort it this weekend whilst I am somewhere where I can access Internet!!
    I'm renting my property so the need to install an external / internal booster is less appealing to me, and an option which I'm likely to avoid having to do.
    Since I really really need Internet I am plumping to purchase a contract (sigh) with Plusnet / Primus (I live in an awkward location), and perhaps use an UMA-enabled phone or Skype to make calls from within the property (which is the problem - there's signal outside, but not inside!)

    Thanks
    DEBT-FREE AS OF JULY 2012!!!
    £8639.00 paid off since Sept 2009 :T
    Well Done Me!!
  • Rodders53
    Rodders53 Posts: 2,660 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Check your TV predictions using http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/ in 'detailed view'. http://www.aerialsandtv.com/planningyourinstall.html has a wealth of info on TV and radio aerials and how to install etc.,.

    If poor, then satellite is a better bet but check for line of sight to Astra 2 via http://www.dishpointer.com/ A temporary instal can be done via a 'ground mount' or tripod support (such as caravanners use).

    Mobile phone reception is usually predicted on the operator's websites... you may need to change from one provider or a different one get better coverage inside the home? (Some building materials - foil-backed insulation or plasterboards - can stop radio waves completely so a wired antenna solution is the only viable one.

    Encouraging your Landlord to install some of this (TV / satellite points, perhaps even internet) might make the place 'more rentable' when you move on?
  • Kernel_Sanders
    Kernel_Sanders Posts: 3,617 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 13 August 2012 at 10:44PM
    starson79 wrote: »
    I still haven't got Internet but am determined to sort it this weekend whilst I am somewhere where I can access Internet!
    Looks like Starson still hasn't managed to get online since this post. 3 state that the USB cable can act as an aerial for its 3G dongles, so any advice over spec or max. length etc.? I use a 1 metre one from Poundland, but it doesn't seem to improve the speed.
    Rodders53 wrote: »
    Encouraging your Landlord to install some of this (TV / satellite points, perhaps even internet) might make the place 'more rentable' when you move on?
    Good advice; a property with no internet access is not a viable proposition for most potential tenants.
  • buglawton
    buglawton Posts: 9,246 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If there is a phone line just add Plusnet for £7/mo

    Also Vodafone for one offers a gadget that connects to your internet to provide an indoor mobile signal - Sure Signal, maybe others do too
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