FAQ’s
How do I boost my cell phone signal?
Dropped calls and slow data rates are generally caused by distance from a cell tower or natural and man-made obstructions, such as buildings, hills, trees, etc…
Cellular signals for both cell phones and data cards can be boosted by the use of a high gain antenna or the combination of an antenna and bi-directional amplifier system and Wilson Electronics offers multiple solutions to stay connected, including the Wilson Sleek.
There are two component to ensuring reliable cellular communication. the first step is receiving a strong signal. The Wilson Sleek collects weak or distant cellular signals and sends them to the amplifier. The amplifier than boosts those signals and rebroadcasts them to your cell phone.
The second part of the equation is transmitting the signal back to the cell tower which is typically the weakest part of a phone’s ability when used alone. With a Wilson bi-directional amplifier you are able to broadcast a much stronger signal back to the cell site at a greater distance. A high quality Wilson amplifier system is critical to maintaining a constant connection and increased cellular standards.
All Wilson amplifiers are FCC-type accepted and most important, is our patented oscillation protection, which activates within milliseconds to prevent harmful interference to cell sites.It also monitors the amplifiers operation for optimum performance.
Wilson offers a wide range of powerful mobile wireless and in-building amplifiers for all carrier frequencies as well as high-gain antennas with multiple mounting options.
What is a basic wireless amplifier system and how do I know if it will work for me?
A basic system includes an outside antenna to collect the signal from the cell tower, an amplifier to boost the signal, an inside antenna to broadcast the improved signal over the inside of the building or vehicle and cabling to connect the three parts together.
A wireless amplifier system will work for you if you can make a cell phone call from wherever you might put the outside antenna. If you can make a call from outside of your vehicle or from the roof of your house or building, the signal is probably strong enough for the system to help you.
Can I leave my amplifier on all the time?
All Wilson amplifiers can remain on all the time; however, leaving the amplifier on in a vehicle when it is not running can discharge the battery in a day or two. In a vehicle, Wilson recommends that the amplifier be powered through the ignition switch so that the amplifier turns off and on with the vehicle.
Does a Wilson amplifier need to be professionally installed?
In most case, you can install a Wilson amplifier system yourself. The mobile systems and the building systems are designed for easy installation.
Can I use an In-Building Wireless amplifier in a vehicle?
In-Building Wireless amplifiers are not recommended for use in vehicles. You would probably not be able to get the required minimum separation of 40 feet between the inside and outside antennas. That would cause the amplifier to go into oscillation (feedback) and shut itself down.
Also, the In-Building amplifiers do not have enough gain control and that would allow the amplifier ti overload the cell towers as the vehicle passes the tower. Wilson recommends that you use only a Mobile Wireless or Direct Connection amplifier in a mobile application. The Wilson Sleek is ideal for use in a vehicle.
Can I wire the 12VDC power connection directly into my vehicle’s electrical system?
Yes. Most of Wilson’s amplifiers have a hardware kit available that allows you to connect directly to the vehicle’s electrical system. You can also cut off the cigarette lighter adapter plug and wire the cord into a fused circuit. If you use a circuit controlled by the ignition switch, you can turn the amplifier off and on with the vehicle’s key.
The center contact in the amplifier’s power connection is positive. Wiring the amplifier into the ignition system will prevent the amplifier from discharging the vehicle’s battery when the vehicle is not running.
Will Wilson amplifiers work on GSM?
Yes. Wilson has amplifiers that work with all analog and digital cell phone technologies, including AMPS, CDMA, GSM, TDMA, EDGE, 1xEV-DO, GPRS and the latest 3G HSPDA. Wilson has amplifiers specifically designed for GSM and iDEN.
Will a Mobile Wireless amplifier work with the Glass-Mount Antenna?
The glass in a vehicle is not a substantial barrier for a cell phone signal, therefore a glass-mount antenna is not recommended. The separation between the outside and inside antennas must include a metal barrier (such as the roof of a vehicle). The metal acts like a shield and limits the possibility of oscillation in the amplifier.
Oscillation (feedback) can result in poor performance and may eventually damage the amplifier. Without the barrier, the amplifier signal can pass through the glass and be easily picked up by the glass-mount antenna.
Can I use a Direct Connection amplifier as a wireless unit by adding an inside antenna?
The Direct connection amplifiers must be physically connected to your cell phone or cellular data card with an external antenna adapter. A Direct Connection amplifier does not produce enough gain to drive an inside antenna and give you even a small service range.
