The weBoost Home Complete is a cell signal booster designed to enhance cellular reception in homes, businesses, or vehicles, supporting all networks, including 5G. This device aims to improve signal strength for better call quality and faster data speeds.
Function Description
The Home Complete system operates by capturing existing weak cellular signals from outside, amplifying them, and then rebroadcasting the stronger signal indoors. It consists of an outside antenna, an inside antenna, a booster unit, and connecting cables. The outside antenna is responsible for collecting signals from the nearest cell tower. The booster unit then amplifies these signals, and the inside antenna distributes the boosted signal throughout the desired indoor area. The system is designed to work with various cellular bands, ensuring compatibility with most major carriers. The installation process involves strategically placing the outside antenna to maximize signal capture from the cell tower and positioning the inside antenna to provide optimal coverage within the building. The booster unit itself should be placed at least 24 inches away from the inside antenna to prevent interference.
Usage Features
The weBoost Home Complete is user-friendly, with an installation guide that walks users through a "soft" install process to identify optimal antenna locations before permanent setup. The weBoost App is recommended for guiding users through the installation and for finding the nearest cell tower, which is a critical step for optimizing performance.
- Antenna Placement: The inside antenna can be mounted horizontally, vertically, or placed on a flat surface using a kickstand. Command strips are provided for securing the mounting bracket. The outside antenna offers both pole mounting and wall mounting options. Pole mounting is preferred for easier adjustment toward the cell tower. If a pole isn't available, the outside antenna can be mounted on the fascia of the roof.
- Cable Routing and Connection: The system includes a 75 ft. coax cable for the outside antenna and a 60 ft. coax cable for the inside antenna. All connections should be hand-tightened only. Cable mounting clips are provided to help route and secure the cables neatly.
- Power Up and Optimization: After all components are connected, the booster is powered up by plugging its power supply into a wall outlet. A power strip with surge protection is strongly recommended. The optimization process involves rotating the outside antenna in 1/3 turn increments, unplugging and reconnecting the booster after each turn, and observing the signal level on a cell phone from the inside antenna's projected area. This iterative process helps identify the direction that provides the strongest signal.
- Signal Strength Measurement: The manual provides guidance on how to measure signal strength in decibels (dBm) on both iPhone and Android devices. For iPhones running iOS 11 and later, users are advised to rely on signal bars and data speed tests, or to visit weboost.com/signalstrength for updates. Android users can find signal strength information in their phone settings. This numerical measurement is crucial for accurately assessing the booster's performance and optimizing antenna placement.
- Signal Amplification: The device highlights that even a small increase in decibels, such as 3dB, translates to a significant increase in signal power and amplification (2 times the power). This illustrates the effectiveness of the booster in improving cellular reception.
Maintenance Features
The weBoost Home Complete is designed for minimal maintenance, primarily focusing on ensuring proper installation and addressing any light patterns that indicate potential issues.
- Light Patterns for Troubleshooting: The booster unit features indicator lights that provide visual feedback on its operational status and any potential problems.
- Solid Green: Indicates the booster is functioning correctly with no installation issues.
- Blinking Green & Red: Suggests that a band has reduced gain due to oscillation (feedback loop). If desired signal boost is already achieved, no further action is needed. Otherwise, troubleshooting is recommended.
- Solid Red: Indicates a band has shut off due to oscillation, a safety feature to prevent harmful interference with a cell tower. Troubleshooting is required.
- Blinking Green & Yellow: Similar to blinking green & red, indicates reduced gain due to interference. If desired boost is present, no action is needed; otherwise, troubleshoot.
- Solid Yellow: Signifies a band shutoff due to overload from a nearby cell tower, requiring adjustment of the outside antenna.
- Light Off: Indicates no power to the booster, requiring verification of the power supply connection.
- Troubleshooting Steps: The manual provides clear steps to resolve red and yellow light issues.
- Red Light Issues: Involve verifying antenna separation and orientation (inside and outside antennas facing away from each other), ensuring the inside antenna is at least 24 inches from the booster, tightening all cable connections, and increasing the distance (horizontal or vertical) between the outside and inside antennas.
- Yellow Light Issues: Primarily involve adjusting the outside antenna. For pole mounts, rotating the antenna in small increments (1/3 turn) until the light turns green is recommended. For fascia mounts, changing the mount location to find a spot where the lights turn green is advised. After each adjustment, users should wait 10 seconds, then unplug and replug the power supply to reset the lights.
- Safety Guidelines: The manual emphasizes important safety guidelines, including maintaining specific separation distances between antennas and active cellular devices, using only the provided power supply, and installing the booster in a temperature-controlled indoor environment. It also includes RF safety warnings regarding antenna placement relative to persons and AWS warnings for outside antenna height.
- Regulatory Compliance: The device is a CONSUMER device and requires registration with the user's wireless provider. It complies with FCC rules and ISED Canada requirements, ensuring safe and authorized operation. Users are reminded that the device must be operated with approved antennas and cables, and must cease operation if requested by regulatory bodies or licensed wireless service providers.
- Warranty: The weBoost Home Complete comes with a two-year warranty covering defects in workmanship and materials. Warranty cases can be resolved by returning the product to the reseller or directly to the manufacturer with proof of purchase. The warranty does not cover misuse, abuse, neglect, or mishandling.
Overall, the weBoost Home Complete is designed to be an effective and manageable solution for improving cellular signal strength, with clear instructions and troubleshooting guidance to ensure optimal performance and user satisfaction.