[kfinpgh]

My family and I often visit the in-laws. They live in the middle of nowhere in central PA. Getting any cell signal is dicey, but GSM calls are the worst there. We have to walk to a higher area to get any bars; there is no signal inside the house.

Is there anything available that would boost a handheld's signal enough to use a tower that is too far away to use normally?

Are there systems/antennas available for use in a car that would help? The family has several different GSM cell phones including my BB7280, a RAZR and an LG cell phone. That rules out the usual installation kit for a car.

We would consider external antennas, signal boosters or anything that is reasonably priced.

Thanks.

[JGBerry]

Originally Posted by kfinpgh

My family and I often visit the in-laws. They live in the middle of nowhere in central PA. Getting any cell signal is dicey, but GSM calls are the worst there. We have to walk to a higher area to get any bars; there is no signal inside the house.

Is there anything available that would boost a handheld's signal enough to use a tower that is too far away to use normally?

Are there systems/antennas available for use in a car that would help? The family has several different GSM cell phones including my BB7280, a RAZR and an LG cell phone. That rules out the usual installation kit for a car.

We would consider external antennas, signal boosters or anything that is reasonably priced.

Thanks.

they have repeaters, which many people purchase for boats so they can still use their cell phone signal. i believe now they even make signal boosters for the house too. you could get one of those. just google "cellular repeater" and you'll get some results

[JSanders]

kfinpgh, I looked into these (a home repeater) a year or so ago, I have not lately. The bottom line I found at the time was a) they were pricey, quite high for a repeater that actually would work and b) If it was not pricey, it likely was more of a gimmick that didn't work.

[jbairdjr]

I haven't used them, but Wilson electronics makes some pretty cool boosters/repeaters.
Link Here:Cell Phone Antennas and Cell Phone Boosters at Wilson Electronics
Here in Nebraska, Alltel covers about 95% of the state, so we dont have much use for them. But, my Brother-In-Law works for the Nebraska Depatrment of Roads, and they use them in their trucks in the more rural areas of Nebraska, and they work great for them.

[OrganicBerry]

Rural Blackberry Use

Scares cows