Mobile reception has become an everyday commodity we can’t do without. No network can reach all around, however, and if you live in a remote area or in a building surrounded by a lot of concrete you might be struggling with weak reception.
EE signal boosters are a practical solution for this problem as they take the weak signal and amplify it, giving you full bars regardless of where you are. If you already bought yourEE signal booster or if you’re considering it but are worried about the installation process, this tutorial is for you. We’ll guide you through the basic steps as well as do’s and don’ts of setting up your booster.
All boosters have three basic parts: The outside antenna which receives the signal, the booster box and the inside antenna which emits the amplified signal. Depending on your model, the outside antenna will probably look like a trapezium or a box with a single cable output, while the inside antenna will most likely be in the shape of a curved dome, a panel or a rod. In some models the booster box has the antenna on it. If you’re still unsure about which is which – the bigger antenna is for the outside and the smaller one goes inside.
When setting up the outdoor antenna, you’ll need to find the spot with the strongest signal. A booster can’t increase coverage if it has none to begin with, after all. The roof of your house or some other high point is usually a good place to mount your receiver antenna. If you can’t install it on the roof, the inside wall of your home or a window will do.
Direct it towards the nearest cell tower and watch out for anything that might interfere with the signal, such as high voltage cables or other emitters. For best performance make sure your antenna is fixed in straightly and connect it to the booster box inside your house using the cable.
To get the maximum out of your booster the cable should be shortened as much as possible and straightened not to weaken the signal. If you’re drilling holes for your cables make sure to seal them tight so as to keep rain and insects out. Making a rain loop on your cable is also recommended, which will break the stream of water and keep it from leaking into your home.
The booster box itself can be installed wherever you see fit, as long as it gets proper ventilation (make sure you have enough cable to reach both antennae!). The inside antenna should be facing the opposite direction in regard to your outside antenna, at a distance of 20 to 50 feet. If you are unable to install the antennae with the proper distance between them, the signals might interfere with each other. To avoid this, you can place a shield between the two, such as a sheet of metal or radiant barrier sheathing.
Connect both antennae to the booster box and plug it in. If you did everything correctly, you should see a light indicating that your booster is working!
If you’re unsure about the best location for your antennae, you might want to do a soft installation before drilling new holes and running cables through your walls. Instead, connect all the parts before mounting them and try multiple spots until you get the desired coverage.
And in just a few simple steps, you now have your EE signal booster up and running! You’re ready to enjoy your network at its fullest. Never fear spotty reception or a dropped call again!
