Antennas FAQs

Many times just selecting an antenna that is convenient for the way you plan to use it (hidden, portable, glass mount, pole mount etc.) works just fine. Most customers use the few tips we have here and select an antenna that works for them on the first try. A few customers have tried several options before finding something that works for them while others are in locations that nothing will help. We have provided this information to help you make an educated guess on what type of antenna might work for you.

Can I improve my signal without connecting an external antenna to my phone?
Unfortunately there is little we've found that you can attach to your phone other than an external antenna or power booster to provide signal improvement. One wireless option is the Wilson Repeater/Amplifier.

What's the difference between 0db (unity), 3db, 5db gain?
0 dBd gain antenna radiates more energy higher in the vertical plane to reach radio communication sites that are located in higher places. Therefore they are more useful in mountainous and metropolitan areas with tall buildings. A 3 dBd gain antenna is the compromise in suburban and general settings. A 5 dBd gain antenna radiates more energy toward the horizon compared to the 0 and 3 dBd antennas to reach radio communication sites that are further apart and less obstructed. Therefore they are best used in deserts, plains, flatlands, and open farm areas.

I have a Tri-Mode / dual band phone. Which antenna is right for me?
You can get a dual band antenna that will cover all 3 modes (analog, digital cellular and digital pcs) or, as mentioned above, focus on where you're having reception problems. First find out what network your phone is actually using in your city by calling your service provider. Just ask if you're in a 800MHz range area or 1900MHz range area. The dual band antenna is a good all around antenna covering 800MHz and 1900MHz ranges but if you're in a rural area, your area is not on a 1900MHz Digital PCS network or you do a lot of traveling, we would recommend the 5db gain single band cellular antenna.

I have a new XXXX phone. What antenna should I get?
First, contact your wireless service provider to find out what network your area is actually covered by (800MHz Analog, 800MHZ Digital, 1900MHz Digital, GSM). Although a phone may be capable of working on multiple networks, you want to determine what network you're actually using. If you're in a 800MHz range area (analog or cellular) you need a single band cellular antenna. If you're in a 1900MHz range area, you'll need a dual band antenna. Once you have this information, look through your options above.

I live in a rural area and have to travel a mile or two from home to be able to make a call on my phone, will an antenna help?
An antenna might help. If you're in an area with large hills or mountains, it's most likely nothing will help. But if the terrain is flatter, we would recommend a 5db single band antenna or a Yagi Antenna . The 5db is much easier to set up than the Yagi and most people get great results with the previous one. Analog phone and service is your best bet in rural until more digital towers are installed. You might also consider a cellular signal power booster.

I used to be able to make calls with my old phone from home but now I can't make any with my new phone.
If you're old phone was an analog phone, the signal strength did not have to be as strong to make a call. With the newer digital phones, the sound quality is better but the signal has to be stronger for your call to go through.

I want an antenna that I can hide. What do you recommend?
The Wilson Stealth is used by many of our customers that want to add an antenna but want to make it the least visible.

Reception is poor inside my home or office. Can I use an antenna made to mounted on a car?
Yes, most cellular and digital antennas are manufactured for use on cars and trucks. The metal in a car or truck body acts a ground plane for the antenna. To get the most from your antenna, you should supply a ground surface if using the antenna away from the vehicle. Many of our customers have had good success using these car antennas inside their home without a ground plane but we recommend providing a ground plane such as putting the antenna on top of a piece of metal (about 8 inches x 8 inches would be fine) and placing outside or near a window. (Note: Due to different building construction, not everyone can
get reception improvement from placement of the antenna inside.) We also carry antennas with a built in ground plane such as Wilson Trucker�s Antenna which can be mounted on a pole outside your home or office.

I'm in a basement with no windows and no signal. What are my options?
Some of our customers have seen increases in signal strength by just connecting an antenna to their phones and placing the antenna as high as possible. We would recommend getting it as close to the outside as possible without adding to the cable length. (Note: Due to different building construction, not everyone can get reception improvement from placement of the antenna inside.)

Can I install a glass mount antenna myself?
Since glass mount antennas are glued to your cars glass and the antennas cable is a little harder to run inconspicuously through the car's interior, we highly recommend professional installation of glass mount antennas. You also need to consider window features that can block your signal such as tinting, defroster wires, and passivated glass (glass impregnated with tiny metal particles that render the glass incapable of coupling RF between the inside and outside couplers).

How can I tell if the glass on my vehicle is suitable for on-glass antennas?
First, look near a corner of a window for words that mean "sun", relate to sun, or refer to ultraviolet or other forms of radiation. If you find terms like "Soft-Ray", "EZE-Cool", "Solar-Coat", "Solar-Cool" or similar terms, your glass is probably passivated and won�t work with on-glass antennas. If you want to be 100% certain, and you don�t find helpful words on the glass, ask a 2-way or cellular shop technician to test your glass with a capacitance meter.

How does a glass mount antenna attach to the glass?
One portion of the antenna is glued to the outside of the glass and another is glued right behind it on the inside of the glass. The signal is transferred through the glass.

I have window tint on my rear window. Will this interfere with the antenna?
If metal is used to tint the glass, it will interfere. Many professional installers will cut off a piece of the tint so that it does not interfere with the antenna.

What type of connectors do antennas have?
Antennas come equipped with standard connectors such as TNC Male, Mini-UHF Male and FME Female.

What are some ways to attach an antenna to my phone?
A few phones (such as Motorola Bag Phones) come equipped with a standard connector. Nothing else is needed. However, most phone RF connectors are not standard so they require an adapter.

What if my phone doesn't have a standard connector?
There are installable hands free kits that come with antenna adapters that will fit one of these standard antennas. There are also External Antenna Adapters (or RF Adapters) that allow you to attach an antenna directly to your phone. This type of adapter is usually a short thin wire with a connector to your phone on one end and a standard antenna connector (TNC Female, Mini-UHF Female and FME Male) on the other.

Where do I connect an antenna to my phone?
Many of today's cellular and digital PCS phones are equipped with RF ports which enable you to connect an external antenna to your phone. RF ports may be located on the back, bottom, top or side of your cell phone. Unfortunately some phones have no port that would enable to attach an external antenna to.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

NMO Mount:
NMO mounts are used to connect your antenna to your vehicle. Most NMO mounts are installed by drilling a hole in the roof of your vehicle. NMO mounts are typically offered as roof or lip mounts. Both types must be mounted on a metal surface.

Wilson Bi-Directional Amplifier / Repeater
The Wilson Bi-Directional Amplifier / Repeater greatly improves signal strength inside a building. It does this without physical connection to your cell phone allowing you to walk around freely during a call. Its advanced electronics are very sensitive and able to receive small signals which would go undetected by most cellular phones. The signal is received by an outside antenna, amplified, then repeated to an inside antenna where it is picked up by your cell phone.

Wilson Cellular Amplifier
The Wilson Cellular Amplifier / Repeater has a better receiver than what's in your cell phone. Its advanced electronics are very sensitive and able to receive small signals which would go undetected by most cell phones. It also has a better transmitter with double the power of your cell phone. This allows your voice to be heard by distant cell sites, increasing coverage up to 50 miles or more.
A cell phone using our amplifier is safer and will use less battery power because the phone thinks it's much closer to a cell site than it actually is. Phones vary their power output based on their proximity to cell sites. Therefore, your phone transmits less power - resulting in safer use and longer battery life.

Antenna Type/Frequency Range
Cellular service bands in the U.S. are usually 800MHz range (806-894 MHz), 1900MHz range Digital PCS (1850-1990 MHz), Nextel (806-821 MHz Tx and 851-866 MHz Rx) and GSM 1900MHz. Although a phone can work on multiple bands, they only work on one band at a time. You may work near a 1900MHz range tower and live near an 800MHz tower. If you want to make sure your covered wherever you go, consider a dual band antenna. If you're not sure of the type of phone network (800MHz, 1900MHz, GMS Range) you're using or having reception problems in, contact your cellular phone Service Provider or local dealer. They will be able find out for you.

Connecting To Your Phone
First off, you will need a way to connect an antenna to your phone. This can be done using an external antenna adapter to connect an antenna directly to your phone. Also, some hands-free kits have external antenna adapters built into them. If there is no way to connect an external antenna to your phone, you might consider a Wilson Amplifier/Repeater. They boost a wireless signal and do not require a direct connection to your phone. Click here for information on how to connect an external antenna adapter to your phone.

Type of Terrain
Terrain can have a lot to do with selecting the right antenna. For flat, more open areas, look for higher gain antennas in the 3db to 9db range. They have flatter, wider radiation patterns. For more hilly areas or areas with obstructions such as trees or buildings, consider a lower gain antenna in the 0db to 3db range. If you travel within different types of areas, consider a 3db to 5db range antenna.