Anyone have first hand experience with external cell antenna/boosters/amps/repeaters?

[Muck]

In the very near future I am going to be moving out to the boonies.

As in Adams County Ohio boonies.

That means my only options for anything other than 56k are satellite (which I would like to avoid) or cell based....and the cell reception sucks donkey balls.

Sooo...I'm likely going to have to throw up an outdoor antenna on a tower and an indoor amp/repeater to get acceptable & (somewhat) reliable reception.

Anyone have/used/setup a similar rig and have any experience they want to share?

On a similar note, anyone have any recomendations on cell based data subscriptions? Who has the best deals and so on?

[jwinslow]

On a similar note, anyone have any recomendations on cell based data subscriptions? Who has the best deals and so on?

I have a Sprint U760 (usb modem) unlimited plan, $30 month. This was a deal through their employee pricing, which is no longer available, IIRC ($50ish now). Got it May 2007 (when no DSL was available at home), DSL then arrived and was installed Xmas 07. The sprint treats me quite well in various parts of ohio, as well as IN & MI. However, I really don't use it much anymore to justify the expense.

If you could make use of it, I'd be glad to figure out a way for you to take over my plan. I know on sprintusers.com there are threads about external antennas and boosters for situations like yourself.

Here is the coverage map:
Sprint and Nextel Phones: Direct Connect Walkie Talkie Phones & Coverage Map

What is it like in your locale?

[Muck]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

What is it like in your locale?

See that big grey area?

Smack dab in the middle.

[jwinslow]

Hmm... well it looks like you might have roaming data (which is decent). I have no experience with the extended antennas, I wonder if they'd be enough to get you some of the green lovin'

[Muck]

My property is south of West Union, almost to the river.

Cingular




Verizon




T-Mobile




Nextel