Next G passive repeater

[jx2mad]

Our stupid mobile phones do not work (properly) inside our house due to colourbond roof. Has anyone built a passive repeater to get signals inside? Jim

[d@rk51d3]

The legalities may be a concern.

From what I've read (whirlpool forums), you can't DIY a repeater (big fines), but have to have one installed by Telstra.

[langy]

As with most signals, it's what's going on outside that is the big question - there have been some rinky-dink 'indoor antennas' with a cable that goes outside to another antenna back in the days of analog mobile phones. Now with digital, the point at which the signal 'drops out' is sharper, and those type of passive devices ( not really a repeater ) loose too much to be effective.

If, outside your house you have a spot where you get very good signal, you could try to use a directional ( yagi ) antenna, a short piece of low loss cable and a tuned antenna for the inside portion - but it's a very hit/miss affair.

it might work - spend some time doing the calculations for wavelength each end and find out what the signal is like on the roof. (Don't fall off !)

[zwitter]

Hi
We use them for digital spread spectrum at work and while they are not efficient they can solve some issues. The coax should be low loss at the frequency and even be tuned to length. The ariel in side can be built into an item of furniture. The tuned yagis is better but can be a narrow physical beam.

Can also make it worse as the repeated signal may be marginal with reflected signal etc.

Are you sure it is the roof at fault?
All carriers affected?

Cheers
James

[austastar]

Hi,
instructions for building an antennae here if you are so inclined.

cheers

[gps-au]

Our stupid mobile phones do not work (properly) inside our house due to colourbond roof. Has anyone built a passive repeater to get signals inside? Jim

1. To quote the obvious... a "PASSIVE" repeater is not illegal, nor does it needs a licence from the ACMA.

2. Is there any signal on the roof of your house, or where you want to erect a external antenna ? (go up and try it !!) If there is you have to then determine what frequency band of operation the best signal is on. Don't forget that this is actually a 2 way street, I am refering to working signal, not just receive.

3. Confirm 2 actually exists then you can go out an buy say a yagi antenna and point it in the right direction. Then under the colorbond, mount a "short" vehicle type antenna (NO GAIN) for the best freq from outside, join the 2 and hope for the best.

[jx2mad]

Phones work ok outside although it is a bit miserable if it is raining or dark. Jim

[gps-au]

Phones work ok outside although it is a bit miserable if it is raining or dark. Jim

1. Determine where your nearest tower is.

2. Determine what frequency band is being used. (This will depend on your phone as to how you do that).

[walc100]

They have a kit and a guide here

High Gain Passive Repeater Kit

[DeanoH]

Our stupid mobile phones do not work (properly) inside our house due to colourbond roof. Has anyone built a passive repeater to get signals inside? Jim

G'day Jim, what do you mean by 'do not work properly', low signal strength, dropouts, noise, slow data, what specifically ? and why do you blame the tin roof ? and then to assume that a passive repeater is the answer to the problem. Hells bells, there's got to be an easier way.

As you're talking NextG, you're a Telstra customer, right. NextG is the system designed for rural areas. You live in the 'Hills District Sydney' which Google tells me is North Western Sydney suburbs and it's called the Hills District, well, because it's hilly. Hardly a rural area.
A big problem with mobile coverage is 'shadowing' in hilly areas where the signal from the base tower is shadowed by hills between you and the tower. This is usually a bigger problem the closer you are to the tower. If this is the case you could try your SIM in a GSM phone (different transmitter) probably co-located with the NextG transmitter but different signal, different aerial might work for you. If you don't need the rural coverage of NextG this could do the trick.
If you've got a signal strength problem and need NextG's coverage elsewhere how about a 'blue tick' NextG 'fringe area phone?
Do your neighbours have the same problems as you ? Invite your Optus/Vodaphone/Hutchison-3-orange neighbour in for a beer and see how his mobile goes. A change of carrier/transmitter site may solve the problem for you.
If all else fails a car hands free kit in the house with an external aerial may do the trick for you depending how you use your mobile.

More than one way to skin a cat.
Deano