SmoothTalker FAQ - Boosters VS Repeaters

FAQ: Boosters VS Repeaters
1)	Overview: Wireless amplifiers (repeaters) cannot and will not improve range in a vehicle.
2)	Basic difference between Boosters and Repeaters
3)	Repeaters: how they work and the environment for which they are designed
4)	Repeaters-Case 1: good signal outside, poor signal inside (usually occurs in urban areas)
5)	Repeaters-Case 2: poor signal outside, poor signal inside (usually occurs in rural areas)
6)	Boosters: how they work and the environment for which they are designed
7)	Why a repeater will not work in a vehicle
8)	How a vehicle repeater can fool you
9)	A note of Caution


	Chapter 5

Repeaters-Case 2: poor signal outside, poor signal inside (usually occurs in rural areas)
In the case of poor signal outside and inside of a building, the tower is usually far away and the poor signal inside and outside of the building is not caused by the building structure itself. A "high gain high power repeater" will be required in order for the signal originating at the external antenna to reach the tower far away. In this environment it is much harder to enhance signal and stabilize the repeater. The repeater itself must generate a more powerful signal at the external antenna in order for the signal to reach the tower far away and the repeater must have higher gain so that the very low signal originating outside of the building is amplified to a level that is usable when it is broadcast to the inside of the building. The chances of oscillation are greatly increased because since the building itself is not the cause of signal degradation (attenuation) from outside to inside, and the repeater has higher gain and power, the attenuation between the two high power emitting antennas is usually not enough to avoid oscillation. This problem can sometimes be overcome by using directional antennas both outside and inside. Directional antennas will radiate energy in a particular direction and if they are pointed away from each other (back to back) it is possible to keep the signals from reaching each other and avoid oscillation. This type of set-up can only be achieved in a fixed environment. After the antennas are set and the system is tuned and working, the power of the repeater cannot be varied nor can the direction of the fixed placement antennas be changed without risking oscillation. In the case of a vehicle travelling to and through remote areas, a high power repeater with directional antennas cannot be used while moving and it is unlikely that directional antennas can be used and set up successfully without oscillation every time that the vehicle is stopped. This would be virtually impossible without diagnostic RF instruments.

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