Frequencies and their meanings
To find the frequency used by your service provider
Click here http://www.wirelessadvisor.com/
Type in your zip code to pull up the frequency use by your service provider
1900 MHz – T-Mobile, Sprint, Metro PCS
800 MHz – Alltel, AT&T, Verizon, and Allcomm
800/1900 – Alltell, AT&T, Verizon, Allcom,
YX500-CEL – 800 MHz
YX500-PCS – 1900 MHz
YX510-PCS-CEL - Dual Band does both (800/1900MHz)
YX600 and YX610 - Pro Pack versions of 500 series includes all upgraded antennas
YX230 – Mobile car unit – Only designed to capture signal and keep it inside
*** All units are 100% technology wide except for Nextel’s iDen walkie talkie network ***
If you look up a carrier and they claim to use both frequencies that means that voice communications are on 800 and data on 1900. In other words the laptop cards or internet functions on a phone would need 1900. We always recommend dual band just to be safe.
Cable Ideas
RG6 Cable has 75 Ohm impedance – Do not go over 70 feet with RG6
RG11 Cable has 75 Ohm impedance – Up to 120 feet no more
If customer has poor performance, the cable is the first thing to check, to make sure they meet the above requirements.
Antennas and our units
The most important part about an install involves the antenna placement. The 500 Series antennas are circular in nature. They need to be about 3 feet away from metal. Please make sure that their antenna is always above the roof line if the customer says the performance is bad.
The higher the better – The minimum required vertical separation is 15 feet.
The other option – The customer can use a grounding plane. This is a great solution and fixes most problems. If the performance is poor then the customer needs more separation (vertical). Tell the customer to raise the antenna higher. If they cannot, then they can get a piece of metal to go between the two and act as a barrier to prevent any feedback or interferences. This could be a pan or even a piece of sheet metal.
Directional Antennas
If the customer is using a directional antenna the antenna must be outside for best performance. The antenna needs to be aimed at the cell towers to pull in signal. You can use antennasearch.com to help the customer locate their respective towers or you can let them do it on their own time.
Base Unit
Poor Performance Issues
The number one problem with units not performing deals with antenna placement. If the customer has the antenna on the roof whether directional or omni-directional, then tell them to reposition it first. Tell them to do the cellular “two step” and keep trying different locations.
If the base unit is not using a directional interior upgrade then always make sure the customer puts the unit in a central location.
The unit needs to be away from wireless routers, wireless phone bases, and other RF emitting devices. These devices can cause interference and issues.
The users must always be approximately 3 feet away from the base unit when placing a call. This allows for the unit to perform without interference from the phone. This is called uplink overdrive and will cause the unit to flash red LED’s on signal and install.
Top 3 FAQ
1. My phone shows bars but I cannot place or receive calls.
Solution: The customer is getting in garbage RF readings on their phone. They need to move the exterior antenna higher, lower, or to the right or left. The readings are indicating good signal because the customers phone cannot tell if the signal in noise or actual signal. To alleviate this problem you must suggest a repositioning until the problems subside. Tell the customer that a solid 2-3 bars is better than a sketchy 4-5 bars.
2. I can only get 5-10 feet away and then the signal drops off.
Solution: The customer needs to get better signal into their unit. The signal going in directly determines the amount of performance out. They have a few options.
A. Move the antenna (maybe they don’t have it outside, maybe no vertical separation, or maybe they have mounted it to a metal pole.)
B. Upgrade to a directional higher gain antenna (YX026, YX023, YX029). You always suggest an exterior upgrade first. Why? The signal going in determines the performance out.
C. Tell the user to let their phone refresh a few times. Make them give you bar readings at 10 second, 20 seconds, and 30 seconds while looking at it. The phones refresh rate can indicate crazy readings. This is because RF is always bouncing everywhere. Tell the customer that as long as they place clear and good quality calls they should not worry.
3. The unit no longer powers on
A. Make sure you try to test their power supply before assuming the base unit has died. It is usually a matter of the power supply failing. It is wise to obtain their serial number located on the bar code of the unit under the casing. It begins with a 50 or a 51.
51XXXXX – Units beginning in 51 need the YX510 power supply or 3.6V
50XXXXX – Units beginning in 50 need the YX500 power supply or the 5V