Suggestions needed for interior cellphone antenna

[snoozy]

One of the few drawbacks to a strawbale house is a weak cellphone signal inside the house, due to the thickness of the walls and the chickenwire. Can anyone give me some advice on a good antenna that will bring the cellphone signal into the house better?

[Alice In TX/MO]

We got a booster from Radio Shack. It has an antenna that goes on the top of the house with a cable that comes in and attaches to a booster/transmitter/receiver in the house.

[snoozy]

How much was it, approximately?

[ErinP]

We have a booster too. Pretty sure it was wilson electronics... I think ours ran $300 (?) Took us from no bars to two or three

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

We got a booster from Radio Shack. It has an antenna that goes on the top of the house with a cable that comes in and attaches to a booster/transmitter/receiver in the house.

Alice

Does it require A/C power as I assume?
Can you tell me how many watts or Amps it draws?

Thanks

[rancher1913]

we use the Z Boost, it has an outdoor antenna and a indoor one, it plugs into a wall socket indoors for power. been using it for years as we have the same problem as you. ours cost around 500 bucks but its the commercial grade one that can handle multiple phones at a time. if you only use one phone at a time the lesser units would work.

[moeh1]

I have a wilson directional, it can sit outside sheltered. About 70-80 bucks it is about 10" square and 2"thick. It comes with about 8' coax. the harder part is finding a cellphone with an antenna jack, so I still use my old one. It needs no power. The only other option is a cell repeater setup, about $300.

[houndlover]

Call your provider and ask about a microcell - if you have broadband, you'll have your own hotspot. We got ours for free from ATT because we have reception outside but not inside the house.

[snoozy]

We have ATT for cellphones, but our DSL is through a different company (Centurylink). We'll probably have to a la carte it on our own.