Wilson Electronics 841262 DB Pro 65 dB Adjustable Gain 800/1900MHz In-building Wireless Smart Technology IITM Signal Booster Kit with Omni-Directional and Panel Antenna for Home or Office

by Wilson

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 5 inches ; 7.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0023RRCP4
• Item model number: 841262
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #876 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)
  • #4 in Cell Phones & Accessories > Accessories > Signal Boosters

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Wilson Dual Band (DB) Pro is one of Wilson's highest gain (62dB) Dual-Band (800 & 1900 MHz) Cell Phone Signal Boosters. Designed for use in homes and offices, the booster kit significantly improves the performance and signal strength of any cellular device on any network (except iDEN/Nextel) experiencing weak signals inside buildings. You'll experience fewer dropped calls, faster data rates, and clearer reception. The DB Pro supports multiple phones and data devices to be used simultaneously, and is easy to install.

Wilson Electronics 841262 Dual Band Pro (800/1900 MHz) 62dB Cell Phone Signal Booster

Everything you need for better reception is included in the box. View larger.

 

Improve your cell phone reception inside a building with the DB Pro. View larger.

It's All About Power

The primary cause of dropped calls is low signal output power from the cell phone to the cell tower, which limits the phone's ability to communicate with the tower. A typical cell phone provides merely 200 milliwatts of output power. To address this problem, the booster provides up to an impressive 2500 milliwatts of output power. In addition to the power increase from the booster, the included external omni-directional antenna will also significantly increase the phone's output power.

Enjoy Premium Reception and Fewer Dropped Calls

Using state-of-the-art technology, the Wilson DB Pro Kit strengthens your cell phone reception to give you premium coverage inside the building even when you're in remote areas with a weak signal.

Once installed, the booster kit will amplify the signals of multiple cell phones and data cards inside the building, allowing cell phone users to enjoy excellent reception and data connection simultaneously. You'll experience fewer dropped calls, clearer call quality, and improved data rates--even with 3G technologies.

Do-It-Yourself Installation without Sacrificing Performance

The booster kit comes with everything you need for a do-it-yourself installation. Included in this kit is the external Omni directional gain antenna with multiple mounting options which eliminates researching cell tower locations and antenna pointing. Also included is the inside panel antenna which rebroadcasts the amplified signal. All components are interconnected using provided standard TV cable (RG-6) that is easily available and often found pre-installed, simplifying cable runs.

Compatible with Most Cell Phone Models and Providers

The Wilson DB Pro Kit is compatible with all US and Canadian cellular providers, excluding iDEN / Nextel / MIKE. This kit supports CDMA, TDMA, GSM and AMPS cell phone technologies, as well as data protocols such as GPRS, 1xRTT, HSDPA, EVDO and EDGE.

The Wilson Booster Kit includes a 30-day money-back guarantee and is backed by a one-year manufacturer's warranty.

Specifications

• Frequency: 824-894 MHz / 1850-1990 MHz
• Gain: 62dB / 62dB
• Max Output Power: 2.5 watts
• Max RF (downlink): +15.7dBm
• Noise Figure: 3.5dB nominal
• Flatness: +/-5dB
• Isolation: > 90dB
• Power Requirements: 120-240 V AC, 50-60 Hz, 8W
• Connectors: F-Female
• Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches
• Weight: 0.64 lbs

What's in the Box

DB Pro Booster, 75 Ohm Outside Omni-directional Antenna, Inside Panel Antenna, 20', 30' and 50' lengths of White RG6 Coax Cables.

Dual Band Pro (800/1900 MHz) 62dB Cell Phone Signal Booster

At a glance:

• Significantly increase your cell phone signal inside of a building
  
  
• Easy installation--includes everything in the box
  
  
• Improve cellular signal and data rates for multiple cell phones and data cards
  
  
• Works with 800/1900 MHz frequencies for all US and Canadian carriers (except iDen/Nextel/MIKE)
  
  
• 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year manufacturer's warranty
  
  

Typical installation is quick and easy. View larger.

Product Description

The use of radio distribution equipment that enhances, extends or amplifies a wireless signal may be prohibited without the consent of the wireless carrier upon whose network such equipment will be used. You should consult with your carrier before purchasing such equipment to use with that carrier’s service.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent way to turn no cell service into 4-5 bars!!!, May 4, 2010

By 

C. Parker (Portland OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wilson Electronics 841262 DB Pro 65 dB Adjustable Gain 800/1900MHz In-building Wireless Smart Technology IITM Signal Booster Kit with Omni-Directional and Panel Antenna for Home or Office (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I have been suffering through satellite internet for years and decided I would try to boost my cell signal into my home. I tried a few other options, until I decided to pony up the dough and get this one. Let me tell you, this was the BEST purchase I have ever made, and I am completely able to get signal to discontinue my $200 a month satellite service to the $48 data card plan with my cell phone company. The speed is much better and now I can take my data card anywhere I get cell signal. This cell booster is of exceptional quality and is very easy to install. I definitely recommend this to anyone who needs to boost their cell signal.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You get what you pay for., October 21, 2010

By 

LodgeMan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wilson Electronics 841262 DB Pro 65 dB Adjustable Gain 800/1900MHz In-building Wireless Smart Technology IITM Signal Booster Kit with Omni-Directional and Panel Antenna for Home or Office (Wireless Phone Accessory)

We live in log home in the woods and have a metal roof. Needless to say we had an issue with signal strength in the house. We went from two bars outside and one bar in the house to 4 bars(the max) in signal in the house. Signal on the router went from -93db to -70db. Speed test confirmed the signal indication gain. Rates went to a blazing 1.5Mbs download to .5Mbs Upload for Verizon Wirelss. When you were dealing with dial up speeds before, this was to good to believe. It is about the best it can do. I had my doubts on spending so much money and this. But the reviews and Amazons return policy made me take a chance. Short time out of the box and we had more signal then we ever thought possible. With 8 watts of power consumption I can leave it on 24/7. Be sure to follow the manual and turn cell phones off and data cards off while installing. Install the power supply last. So far worth every penny I paid and Amazon beat others prices by $140. Thanks to everyones reviews on this product ... they made me take that leap of faith!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How can I improve cell phone reception inside the house - SOLVED, December 17, 2011

By 

Internet shopper (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wilson Electronics 841262 DB Pro 65 dB Adjustable Gain 800/1900MHz In-building Wireless Smart Technology IITM Signal Booster Kit with Omni-Directional and Panel Antenna for Home or Office (Wireless Phone Accessory)

From no signal to 5 bars signal strength in some locations inside. This Wilson booster system did the job.
Obviously you have to have some cell phone signal outside for it to work. In this case there was no signal or unreliable signal outside in the yard. However on top of chimney there were 5 bars.

LESSON LEARNED AND TOPICS TO UNDERSTAND
There are some decisions to make before selecting this kit with the 13" OMNIDIRECTIONAL antenna versus the shorter YAGI antenna which comes in this kit Wilson Electronics 841263 = Wilson Electronics 841262 DB Pro 65 dB Adjustable Gain 800/1900MHz In-building Wireless Smart Technology IITM Signal Booster Kit with Directional Wide Band Yagi and Panel Antenna for Home or Office..

For me the omnidirectional antenna worked well (or let's say I got away with it).
But before you purchase a system you want to consider...

SIGNAL AVAILABILITY
If you only have one or two bars at the location WHERE YOU INTEND TO INSTALL THE EXTERIOR ANTENNA buy the Yagi type. It is directional and will be able to pick up weaker signals and connect to a tower further away.
If you have two to three bars you can PROBABLY use the 13" omnidirectional antenna.
You will get the best signal from the Yagi type antenna. So the Yagi should be your first choice unless the cell phones in your house connect to different towers in different directions.

ONE OR MORE TOWERS
If all carriers are transmitting from the same tower a Yagi will work but if one cell phone provider's tower is in one direction and the other one is in another direction you will need an omnidirectional antenna in order for users of both networks to be covered by the antenna/booster.

In my case I did not know where the towers were located or what phone connected to what. I therefore selected the kit with the omnidirectional antenna.

SIGNAL STRENGTH
I had either no service or one to two bars on the grounds around the house and no service inside the house. However on top of the chimney 25 feet in the air I had full signal on my phone (5 bars) all the time. Unfortunately the chimney was at the end of the house that was farthest away from the tower. The manual tells you to mount the antenna on the end of the house nearest the tower.
While hunting for a PRACTICAL location I measured 2 to 3 bars (with my cell phone) on the inside of an attic vent on the end of the house facing the tower. It turned out (as one can expect) that the larger 13" Wilson antenna picked up more signal than the small antenna in my cell phone so I eventually ended up with more bars in the room where the internal antenna was mounted above the ceiling. At first I was only able to get 3 to 4 bars but eventually ended up with 4 to 5 bars (See "Turkey Roasting Pan" below).
Had I used the Yagi antenna I would probably have had 5 bars consistently. The Yagi puts out double the signal strength around 850 MHz and more than double in the 1900 MHz band (these are the bands used by US cell phone providers for voice and some for data).

A WORD ABOUT SIGNAL STRENGTH
Some reviewers highlight that it is impossible to get more bars inside a house, by installing a booster system, than the number of bars they measure where the exterior antenna is mounted or going to be mounted. The statement is correct if they measure the signal strength outside using the same external antenna they intend to put up as part of the booster system.
This can be done because some cell phones are equipped with an external antenna connection on the back/bottom of the phone or behind a label in the battery compartment.
Antennas have different gain. The higher the gain the higher the efficiency and the stronger the signal they can deliver to your cell phone (and eventually to your phone via the booster system). Wilson's website lists the dB gain for the various antenna types.
In my case I did not have a cell phone that could connect to an external antenna nor did I have the antenna that came with the kit (when I did the initial planning).
But one thing is for sure, if you use your cell phone to measure the signal strength where you plan to install the exterior antenna you are in for a positive surprise when you install the exterior omnidirectional antenna or even a bigger surprise with a directional Yagi type.
Some phones has a Field Test Mode hidden in a menu and others like the Symbian phones offers an Energy Profiler app. Either one will allow you to measure the actual signal strength in dB rather than in bars.
Had I had this feature, it would have been possible to provide actual signal strength as dB values in this review rather than bars. It would also have made it possible to calculate the impact of different lengths of cable runs and to predict coverage areas. Wilson's website has a calculator for this purpose.

AMPLIFIER (BOOSTER) LOCATION
You want to install the amplifier (signal booster) near the antenna (using as short a cable as possible). The 20 foot* cable worked well for me. I actually shortened it to 12 feet.
The longer the cable the more noise and signal loss you will incur. Also the amplifier will amplify the noise as well.

*The kit comes with 20, 30 and 50 foot antenna cables and an RG6 Female to Female adapter so you can string two cables together if you need a longer run.

NOTE: The kit does not come with a lighting surge protector. You must install one before the amplifier.
Wilson Lightning Surge Protector

POSITIONING THE INSIDE ANTENNA(S)
It was quite time consuming finding the optimum location for the inside antenna. Initially I thought I could get away with one internal antenna placed horizontally on top of the ceiling drywall (under the insulation) as one of the options in the Wilson Installation Manual suggests.
It turned out that the coverage was disappointing. There was no or very little signal in the adjoining rooms. It surprised me because the ceiling height is 13 feet. However it is a directional antenna and the most signal power is in a 90 degree angle relative to the antenna's flat front surface. Consequently the vertical signal direction sent the signal directly into the floor. (Which can be an advantage if you live in a multi-level house).
The pattern from the interior antenna that ships with the kit has a beam-width of 70 and 50 degrees in the horizontal and vertical plane respectively.

INTERNAL ANTENNA LOCATION(S)
If you have an open concept house the best location may be by shooting horizontally from a corner or a wall facing the largest open area (the antenna mounted vertically).
If this is not possible you have to reduce the amount of solid material the waves have to go through.
From a practical perspective imagine you are shining a light spreading at the same angles (beam-width) as the internal antenna. The objective is to place the light so you get as much light into as many rooms as possible. Imagine the building materials, wooden studs, floor joists, insulation, drywall are made of tinted glass that reduces the amount of light. The more glass/material the light/radio waves have to go through the weaker the light/signal gets. Consequently, if you are shooting on an angle from above, it is best to point the antenna in the direction along the ceiling joists as opposed to at an angle hitting multiple joists from the side where each joist weakens the signal. In a scenario with multiple rooms it would be best to install the internal antenna(s) as high up in the attic as possible pointing down in order to cover as many rooms as possible.
The best location in my case turned out to be a 30 degree angle several feet above the attic joists as the signal only have to go through one ceiling layer of drywall to make it into 3 rooms/patio-area. 3 room coverage was obtained by placing the antenna above the area where the walls below join in a T (the wall forming the top of the T was concrete with metal mesh*).

Unfortunately as in my case a high elevation may turn out to be just below or at the same horizontal level of the "exterior" antenna which in my case is mounted behind the attic vent. So as expected OSCILLATION occurred.

*Concrete with rebar, metal net or mesh used on buildings with stucco, insulation with aluminum foil or aluminum siding will block cell phone radio waves effectively.

OSCILLATION - MY WORST FEAR
In the planning phase before purchasing I called Wilson tech-service. The rep told me that I must have at least 70 feet distance between the exterior OMNIDIRECTIONAL antenna and the inside antenna AND the internal antenna must not point in the direction of the external antenna. If I could not install it in such a way I would face oscillation and have to reduce the signal strength from the amplifier (not exactly my preference).
My interior antenna is only 35 feet from the exterior antenna and once I moved the internal antenna 5 feet above the attic joists OSCILLATION STARTED (same phenomenon you hear when a microphone and loudspeaker starts to emit a high pitch sound if they get close to one another). The Wilson amplifier/booster lights will blink red to signal that you have a problem (as you can't hear radio waves oscillating).

SOLUTION - A TURKEY ROASTING PAN TO THE RESCUE
Obviously the last thing I wanted was to reduce the signal strength from the amplifier.
So I temporarily placed a disposable aluminum turkey roasting pan as a shield behind the "exterior" antenna and THE OSCILLATION PROBLEM TOTALLY WENT AWAY.

It was hard to attach the turkey pan permanently so I replaced it with a flat disposable drip... Read more ›