Devices that amplify the cellular signal are needed wherever the connection is of poor quality or there are interruptions: at home, in the country, in the office. Installation of a set of equipment is a rather difficult task since the efficiency of its operation depends on the correct installation and configuration of devices. Therefore, it is very important to follow the standard rules for installing repeaters. In this article, we will consider the process of a three mobile signal booster installation.
How to set up a repeater?
Before installing the repeater, professionals usually measure the level of the three mobile signal, determine the optimal location for placing all the elements of the system and install them. The plan assumes:
- installation of an external antenna on the facade or roof of a building (it must have a high gain and may require special support or mast with grounded lightning protection);
- laying a cable line from it to the repeater;
- installation of an internal antenna (or several), which will act as a distributing device.
Choosing a place to install an outdoor cellular antenna
The quality of the three mobile signal depends on how correctly the place for mounting the external cellular antenna is chosen. It cannot be located on the attic floor or attic room – the optimal point must be sought outside: on the balcony, facade, terrace, or roof. The best way to do this is with a special spectrum analyzer. It helps experts quickly find the place where the base station signal is clearest and strongest.
In addition, an external antenna:
- It must be mounted where it will be convenient to serve it.
- It is recommended to place at a distance of at least ten meters from the internal and repeater, otherwise, interference is inevitable.
- It can’t be placed near active electrical equipment, conductive elements, and close to high voltage lines.
- It can’t be mounted on metal objects (gutters, snow retainers, structural parts, parts of the ventilation system).
To test the connection and quality of it, experts can connect with loose cables. And if all is well, experts can begin to form a permanent cable line.
The fewer obstacles (terrain, buildings, infrastructure) between the external antenna and the base station, the higher the quality of communication. And the ideal signal will be on the plain when the tower is in the line of sight.
How to install an external antenna?
Installation of an external antenna is carried out after determining the optimal location for its placement, and is carried out in several stages:
- Antenna mounting.
An external antenna is mounted on a selected point on the roof (or on support), directed to the tower, and fixed with standard fasteners.
- Installation of a coaxial cable.
Proper installation of a coaxial cable involves the creation of a so-called drop-down loop that reduces mechanical stress. In fact, it is a sag, which is necessary for the drip runoff of rainwater. With such a loop, water will not run down the cable and is guaranteed not to get to where the repeater is located.
- Sealing of connections.
The junction of the cable connector and the external antenna must be treated with silicone sealant. It will reliably protect the area from dust and moisture, preventing the line from getting wet. And for the rest of the connectors, it is better to use professional moisture protection products.
Laying the cable from the external antenna to the repeater
A shielded coaxial cable transmits the signal from the external antenna installed outside to the repeater. But, it can provide high-quality communications only if it is properly laid. And here are some important points:
- The cable line is laid as carefully as possible – without tension, bends/kinks (the minimum allowable bending radius is 75 mm), sharp turns, knots, and loops. All this can provoke cable deformation and the appearance of microcracks and microcracks in the aluminum sheath. And the consequences of poor-quality installation of a signal amplification system can appear both immediately and after a few years.
- During operation, mechanical damage to the cable should not be allowed – they can appear as a result of hammer blows when fixing fasteners or breakdowns due to unsuccessfully hammered nails.
- Any actions that may lead to a violation of the integrity of the installed equipment are excluded. This means that you cannot disassemble the repeater or antenna, cut (shorten) the cable, and also dismantle the standard connectors installed on it. Any of these actions during installation will void the warranty on the devices (or the communications enhancement kit).
Choosing a place to install a cellular signal repeater and an internal antenna
When it comes to installing signal amplification equipment, there are no trifles. This means that it is important not only how to install a cellular repeater and a distributing antenna, but also where to do it. It is better to place the repeater in a cool and dry place, away from the kitchen, bathroom and toilet, heating and heating appliances. The space should not be cramped and closed, and the device should not be exposed to sunlight (due to the increase in temperature, the repeater will constantly overheat, and then fail).
The best place to install the repeater will be a corner or a niche where the device will be accessible for maintenance and connection of the cable coming from the external antenna located outside.
As for the internal antenna, its location depends on the radiation sector of the device. Otherwise, it will not be able to provide coverage throughout the service area, because the signal coming from the repeater propagates over a wide spectrum of its radiation.
If the repeater is installed at a large facility (warehouse, hangar, sports club, business center), several internal antennas may be required for high-quality coverage of the entire service area.
Cellular repeater installation
The installation of a repeater to enhance communication is carried out in a predetermined place – the ideal option would be a server room with good ventilation and low humidity, where the temperature does not rise above the standard values and the equipment will not overheat.
Summary
A repeater is a very important device for amplifying a mobile signal. It may be needed by both private users and businesses. You can install this device yourself, but it will take a lot of time and effort. Therefore, if you want to achieve results quickly, contact professionals, such as UCtel. This company provides customers with innovative technologies to improve the connection for users of any British mobile network operators.