Wilson Electronics 277380, 277180, 277280 Installation Manual

Contents:

Antenna Options & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Quick Install Overview .......................................2

Installation Diagram .........................................3

Before Getting Started .......................................4

Finding the Strongest Signal ..................................5

Outside Antenna Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Installing the Inside Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Installing a Wilson Electronics Signal Booster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Powering up a Wilson Electronics Signal Booster .................10

LCD, Uplink & Downlink Directions ............................11

Understanding the Signal Booster Light & LCD Screen ............12

Warnings and Recommendations .............................15

Guarantee & Warranty ......................................17

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

Note: This manual contains important safety and operating information. Please read and follow the
instructions in this manual. Failure to do so could be hazardous and result in damage to your Signal
Booster.

Channelized
800 MHz & 1900 MHz

Adjustable Gain

In-Building Wireless Smart Technology ™
Signal Boosters

Appearance of device and accessories may vary.

1

Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660

or email: [e-mail]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.

2

Installation Instructions for the Following Wilson
Electronic Signal Boosters:

Channelized 800 and 1900 MHz Adjustable Gain
In-Building Wireless Smart Technology ™ Signal Booster

Model # 277180 FCC ID: PWO277180 IC: 4726A-277180
Model # 277380 FCC ID: PWO277380 IC: 4726A-277380

The term “IC” before the radio certification number only signifies that Industry Canada
technical specifications were met.

How it Works

Wilson Electronics Signal Boosters are bi-directional devices that deliver
service levels consistent with what would be expected in areas of high
cell network coverage. They amplify a weak or shadowed signal in
mobile, M2M, marine and in-building applications. When using a Wilson
Electronics Signal Booster in conjunction with Wilson Electronics
antennas, the outside antenna will collect the cell tower signal and send
it through the cable to the Signal Booster. The signal is then amplified
and re-transmitted through the Inside Antenna into the room. Cell
phones and cellular data cards in that area then communicate with the
improved signal. When a cell phone or cellular device transmits, the
signal is received by the Inside Antenna, amplified by the Signal Booster
and transmitted back to the cell tower through the Outside Antenna.

Inside this Package

Signal
Booster

AC/DC
Power
Supply

(859912)

To purchase, call Wilson Electronics Sales Department at: 800-204-4104

Outdoor Antenna Options

Indoor Antenna Options & Accessories

1. 800 MHz Yagi Cellular Antenna (301129)

(Use with 807180)

2. 1900 MHz Yagi PCS Antenna (301124)
(Use with 807380)

3. Wide Band Directional Antenna 700 MHz -
2700 MHz (304411)

A. Wide-Band Panel Antenna 700-2700MHz
(multiple mounting options)
B. 50 Ohm Lightning Surge Protector N-Connector (859902)
(Splitter options on page 9)

3

1

2

B

A

Note: Kits may contain different accessories

Appearance of device and accessories may vary.

We recommend using directional antennas with these Signal Boosters.

2

Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660

or email: [e-mail]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.

Select a location to install the Signal Booster that is away from 1.
excessive heat, direct sunlight, moisture and has proper ventilation. Do
not place the Signal Booster in an air-tight enclosure.

Select a location on the roof of the building to install the Outside Antenna. 2.
Use a cell phone in test mode to find the strongest signal from the cell tower.
Refer to page 5. Visit

www.WilsonElectronics.com

to find the test mode

function for your particular cell phone.

Run the Outside Antenna cable to the Signal Booster and attach it to 3.
the connector labeled “Outside Antenna” on the Signal Booster. Run the
Inside Antenna cable to the Signal Booster and attach it to the connector
labeled “Inside Antenna” on the Signal Booster. Refer to page 8 for more
information on running cable. Lightning Surge Protection is recommended
for all in-building installations refer to page 7.

Select a location for the Inside Antenna, preferably in the center of 4.
where the signal needs to be amplified. A minimum separation distance
of 20 vertical feet (within the null zone) or 50 horizontal feet is
necessary for proper operation. If the inside coverage is not sufficient
you may need as much as 75 feet of horizontal separation (refer to
installation diagram on pages 3 & 4).

Before powering up the Signal Booster, verify that both the Outside 5.
Antenna and the Inside Antenna are connected and check that all
connections are tight. Refer to page 9. Note: Be careful when plugging

the connectors in so as not to bend the center pins on the connectors.

Press yellow “CH Select” button to desired setting. Your channel will 6.
show on the LCD screen. Refer to pages 10-14.

The Signal Booster has been packaged with the gain control knobs 7.
adjusted to the highest gain position. If light is not green, please refer to
pages 10-14.

Quick Install Overview

See Installation Diagram on pages 3 & 4. Contact Wilson Electronics
Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660.

Warning: Connecting the Signal Booster directly to a cell phone with

use of an adapter will damage the cell phone and/or the
Signal Booster.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

It is very important to power your Signal Booster using a •
surge protected AC Power Strip with at least a 1000 Joule

rating.

Failure to do this will void your warranty in the • event of a
power surge or lightning strike.

3

Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660

or email: [e-mail]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.

4

Typical Installation

Outside
Antenna

Inside Antenna

Installation Diagram

(Optional
second
antenna for
additional
coverage).

Power
Supply

Inside Antenna

Preferred Method: Place the Inside
Antenna in the ceiling facing down for
the best coverage.

Note: A Lightning Surge Protector is
recommended for all building installations
(sold separately). Make sure the protector
is installed in line between the Outside
Antenna and the Signal Booster.

Null Zone: The area under the
Outside Antenna, where the
Outside Antenna radiates the
least.

Note: The Inside Antenna may be
mounted on the wall directly under the
Outside Antenna, in the null zone, if
20 feet of vertical separation can be
maintained.

4

Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660

or email: [e-mail]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.

Before Getting Started

This guide will help you properly install your Wilson Electronics Signal
Booster. It is important to read through all of the installation steps
for your particular application prior to installing any equipment.
Read through the instructions, visualize where all the equipment will
need to be installed and do a soft installation before mounting any
equipment.

Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support with any questions

at: 866-294-1660.

Signal
Booster

Lightning
Surge Protector

Splitter
(if using multiple
inside antennas)

(Optional
third antenna
for additional
coverage).

Inside Antenna

Surge Protector
Powerstrip

5

Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660

or email: [e-mail]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.

6

Reasons for Weak Cellular Signals

Anyone who uses a cell phone or cellular data card knows the frustration
of not being able to connect to or maintain a strong cellular signal. When
this occurs, it is generally due to one of two reasons:

Location of the Nearest Cell Tower – Cell towers are situated to 1.
provide broad coverage; however, there are many areas in which
signal strength may be reduced by topographic features or by local
government restrictions on the height or placement of the towers
themselves. Rural areas generally have fewer cell towers than urban
regions.
Natural and Man-Made Obstructions – Signal strength can also 2.
be negatively affected by trees, hills, buildings, weather, and other
obstructions. You may be relatively close to a cell tower but still unable
to make a call. This often occurs in homes, offices and other buildings

in which stucco, concrete or metal walls may block the signal.
The Signal Booster works with two antennas. The Inside Antenna
communicates with your cell phone and the Outside Antenna communicates
with the cell tower. The Outside Antenna receives the cell tower signal and
sends it through the cable to the Signal Booster, where it is amplified and
transmitted through the Inside Antenna into the room. When the Inside
Antenna picks up a signal from your cellular device, the Signal Booster
amplifies that signal and transmits it through the cable, then through the
Outside Antenna and back to the cell tower.

Note: The Signal Booster will only operate if there is an adequate signal
to amplify.

Finding the Strongest Signal

When installing your Signal Booster’s Outside Antenna, aiming it towards
the best signal source from you service provider is important. The best
way of getting the strongest signal is to have one person on the roof to
rotate the Outside Antenna, which is connected to the Signal Booster.
Turning the Outside Antenna about 45 degrees at a time, while the
second person is watching the signal strength on the phone inside the
building. This allows you to read the signal strength from the cell tower.

It is preferable to have the phone in the test mode so the actual signal
strength can be read, as bars are not the most accurate. Go to
www.WilsonElectronics.com for help in finding the test mode for your
phone. Always make sure the person inside the building gives the signal
time to arrive and register on the phone (between 10-30 seconds for

phone to reset to the signal reading).