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How Can You Improve Your Cell Phone Reception?


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I am getting used to having dropped calls on the iPhone 3G. This thing drops calls like clockwork. It doesn’t seem like a tower problem. I can be sitting still, and lose a call. Even if the phone shows full signal, it still will drop. I’m hoping the upcoming firmware update will solve some of this. I’ve never had a mobile device with this many issues. What’s a Geek to do to boost reception? When I was given the opportunity to review the Cell Ranger, I could choose between the USB connection, or the kind that plugs into a cigarette lighter in a car. I decided to go with USB for a couple of reasons. For one, I’ve got USB ports everywhere. For another, I have an inverter for my car that will allow me to plug USB devices in while I’m in the car.

The Cell Ranger PORT is a USB powered cellular signal booster. By plugging the Cell Ranger PORT into a USB port you can boost your cell phone signal by up to 2-3 bars. We designed Cell Ranger to be compatible with every cellular network (except Nextel), cell phone, and data card. No matter which cellular service you use, voice or broadband data, you’ll see a significant boost in signal when you plug in the Cell Ranger. In most cases you’ll get 2-3 bars more signal within a 6 foot coverage radius. In our tests, using Cell Ranger with a broadband data card can result in anywhere from 30% to 200% faster download speeds. Cell Ranger is the first truly intelligent cell booster. By using a specially programmed microprocessor, Cell Ranger carefully monitors signal and adjusts to provide optimum signal. Unlike any previous booster, Cell Ranger actively analyzes the signals that your cell phone is sending and receiving. By comparing the signal strength to different towers, Cell Ranger self-tunes to the correct channels, and amplifies only those signals.

  • Gives 2-3 bars extra signal for any cell phone or 3G data card.
  • Prevents dropped calls and improves call quality.
  • Compatible with every carrier in Canada and the US.
  • Powered by a standard USB port.
  • No drivers – Cell Ranger only uses USB for power. Optional AC adapter/rechargable battery available..

You don’t want to set this near any kind of magnetic media, like a hard drive. You’d want to stick this on a metallic surface before plugging it in. It will allegedly boost your signal on both 800MGz and 1900MGz reception. I will be trying this out for awhile, and then I’ll let you know how well it works. This video was mostly an introduction to tell you how it works.

A quick test in my office was interesting, to say the least. I plugged it all in, and had trouble connecting to the network. When it wasn’t connected to my iPhone, I had four signal bars. When I plugged it in, I dropped down to two! Basically, either the iPhone sucks, or AT&T does. I’m not giving up on this though. It could just be my office, and all my gadgets interfering. I am going to test it while I’m out and about. I’ll let you know how I fare.

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11 Comments

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I just got my iPhone 3G Wednesday, and the first thing I noticed was the short battery life. Well they fixed that with the update. I also seem to have a bit stronger of a connection. Hopefully all will be good now for you, mine is also allot faster, it dissent lagg any more.. I have the 8GB one. I love it so far.

I dialed the same number as you did and got the same result but I dialed *3001#12345#* and it works.

Also 2.1 helped my reception.

Chris,

While this company’s claim may sound good there is no way they could possibly deliver on their promises in every situation. The bars on a cell phone usually represent signal quality and not signal strength. If you have a range of 0 to 5 bars and your current signal is at 4 bars then the downlink (signal from the base station to your phone) is good. When you turn the product on it is reducing your signal quality causing the reduction in bars. This is not going to be the fault of the network or the phone but the “booster” device. (To be 100% correct on that statement testing would need to be done but from what you say I would guess it to be a 98% probability) The device is either being overdriven or is overdriving the signal to your phone causing interference which will reduce the number of bars on your phone.
What this device is doing is amplifying from the phone to the network and from the network to the phone. So the only time this product could help is when you have a weak signal at your location. This is really going to depend on what kind of signal you have to start with and the placement of the antenna.

I would be pretty dubious about cheap cell phone repeaters that advertise “Any 3G Device”

Trying to make a repeater for any 3G device would mean that it would have to be able to INTELLIGENTLY boost a signal on EDGE, CDMA, GSM, HSUPA, HSPA, Etc. Doing that in a device for $129.00… might be tough. :)

Analyzing dropped calls can be far more complicated than just being on the edge of a coverage area and not getting enough signal, you could be having an issue with pilot pollution, firmware problems, etc.

Look around and see if you can find a “blessed by AT&T” Femtocell or Picocell device. These are more like small intellegent base stations that can really bring better service if your in a poor coverage area.

Good luck to you. :)

Sounds like a great product, in theory, hope you cab get some better results out side the office!

[...] How Can You Improve Your Cell Phone Reception? [...]

No way! If this is the same product I’m thinking of, I’ve met the person that designed this device. Great guy, great product – I recommend it 100%.

It’s *3001#12345#*

Not *3001#12345#

Thank you Chris! I live in a low reception area.

I have never had any problems getting good cell phone reception. I guess my area is just really good with cell towers and reception…

What Do You Think?