Wilson Electronics 277280 User manual

Contents:
Antenna Options & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Quick Install Overview.......................................2
Installation Diagram.........................................3
Before Getting Started.......................................4
Outside Antenna Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Finding the Strongest Signal ..................................7
InstallingtheInsideAntenna..................................8
Installing a Wilson Electronics Signal Booster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Powering up a Wilson Electronics Signal Booster.................10
Adjusting Channel & Gain ...................................11
Understanding the Signal Booster Lights & LCD Screen ...........13
Warnings and Recommendations .............................16
Guarantee & Warranty......................................18
Specifications .................................... BackCover
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.
Dual-Band
Channelized
800 / 1900 MHz
In-Building Wireless
Smart Technology ™
Signal Booster
Appearance of device and accessories may vary.

1Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660
or email: [email protected]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.
2
Installation Instructions for the Following Wilson
Electronic Signal Booster:
Dual-Band Channelized 800 / 1900 MHz
In-Building Wireless Smart Technology ™ Signal Booster
Model #277280 FCC: PWO277280 IC: 4726A-277280
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
(#859995)
To purchase, call Wilson Electronics Sales Department at: 800-204-4104
We recommend using directional antennas with this Signal Booster.
Outdoor Antenna Options
Indoor Antenna Options & Accessories
1. Wide Band Directional Antenna 700 MHz -
2700 MHz (304411)
2. Pole Mount Wide Band Panel Antenna
(304453)
A. Wide-Band Panel Antenna 700-2700 MHz
(multiple mounting options available)
B. 50 Ohm Lightning Surge Protector N Connector
(859902)
Splitter options on page 9
1 2 B
A
Note: Kits may contain different accessories
Appearance of device and accessories may vary.

1
2
Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660
or email: [email protected]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.
Select a location to install the Signal Booster that is away from1.
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 to3.
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 6.
Select a location for the Inside Antenna, preferably in the center of4.
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 Outside5.
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 will6.
show on the LCD screen. Refer to pages 10 & 11.
The Signal Booster has been packaged with the gain control knobs7.
adjusted to the highest gain position. If lights are not green, please refer
to pages 13 & 14.
Quick Install Overview
See Installation Diagram on page 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.

3Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660
or email: [email protected]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.
4
Installation Diagram
Typical Installation
Signal
Booster
Lightning
Surge Protector
Splitter
(if using multiple
inside antennas)
Outside
Antenna
Inside Antenna
(Optional
second
antenna for
additional
coverage).
(Optional
third antenna
for additional
coverage).
Inside Antenna
Surge Protector
Power Strip
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.

3
4
Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660
or email: [email protected]. 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.
Typical Installation
Signal
Booster
Lightning
Surge Protector
Splitter
(if using multiple
inside antennas)
Outside
Antenna
Inside Antenna
(Optional
second
antenna for
additional
coverage).
(Optional
third antenna
for additional
coverage).
Inside Antenna
Surge Protector
Power Strip
Power
Supply

5Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660
or email: [email protected]. 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 to1.
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 also2.
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 OutsideAntenna 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.
Cell Tower
Drip hole on bottom
Outside Antenna Installation
The antenna should be mounted as shown in the illustration above.
The mounting bracket, included with antenna, is adjustable and will
accommodate pipe diameters from 1.25” to 2” (pipe sold separately
#901117). Mount the antenna so that there is at least 3 feet of clearance
in all directions around it. Position the antenna so that it has an
unobstructed line of sight to the cell tower’s strongest signal. Make sure

5
6
Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660
or email: [email protected]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.
Selecting a Direction for the Outside Antenna
Before selecting a location on the roof of the building to install the
Outside Antenna, see page 7 for additional instructions. Use a cell phone
in test mode to find the strongest signal from the cell tower (refer to page
5 for more information). To get the strongest signal possible, it is very
important to set up your Outside Antenna properly. The Inside and the
Outside Antenna must be mounted in such a way that they are able to
pick up the best possible cell signal on the outside of the building and
provide the best possible signal on the inside of the building. Mount the
Outside Antenna as high as possible facing the cell tower in an area with
the best possible signal coverage.
Note: Never point the front of a directional antenna toward the Inside
Antenna. See Figures 1 & 2 on page 10.
the antenna is not pointing across your own roof or at the Inside Antenna
as this will cause the oscillation protection circuitry to shut down the
Signal Booster.
Warning: Lightning protection is recommended for all installations
(#859902-50 Ohm shown below). Take extreme care to ensure
that neither you nor the antenna comes near any electric power lines.
Installing Lightning Protection (sold separately)
Install the Lightning Surge
Protector (LSP) close to the Signal
Booster. Attach the cable from
the Outside Antenna to the surge
protector, using a short length of
low loss cable; attach one end
to the LSP and the other to the
Outside Antenna connector on the
Signal Booster. Ensure the LSP is
properly grounded (ground wire not
included). LSP sold separately, go
to www.WilsonElectronics.com or
call 800-204-4104 to order.
(not included)
Lightning
Surge Protector
(sold separately)
Signal Booster
Surge Protector Power Strip
Ground Wire
(not included)
To Outside
Antenna
To Signal
Booster
To Inside
Antenna

7Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660
or email: [email protected]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.
8
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. Turnt 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).
-50dB -60dB -70dB -80dB -90dB -100dB -110dB
EXCELLENT GOOD POOR NO
SIGNAL
Signal Strength Graph
Cell Tower
Cell Signal
Outside
Wide Band
Antenna
Signal readings usually appear as a negative number (for example, -86).
The closer you get to zero the stronger the signal. (See graph below).

7
8
Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660
or email: [email protected]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.
Mounting Tips for Running Outside
Antenna Cable
If you are mounting the Outside Antenna on the roof of your building, we
have found that it is easiest to run your cable underneath the down side
of your roof’s flashing. If you have satellite TV service installed you may
be able to follow the same route as the satellite TV cables that are already
running from outside of your building to the inside.
After routing the cable, we recommend sealing any areas where the cable
passes into the building with cable bushings, silicone or a silicone-type
sealant to keep your installation from leaking. If you are mounting the
Outside Antenna to the outside wall of your home or building, the simplest
way is to run the cable on the outside of the wall and attach it to the
exterior of your home or office. Then drill a hole through the wall where you
want the cable to appear on the inside of the building. Before drilling, make
sure that there are no electrical outlets, sewer or water pipes, or electrical
wiring in the wall that you are about to drill through as this could potentially
harm you or damage the building.
After drilling the required hole, run the cable through and seal it with
cable bushings or a silicone-type sealant to enclose the hole that you
have created. In some instances, it may be possible to run the cable up
into the fascia of the attic overhang. In this circumstance, the cable will
be accessible in the attic for further routing.
Installing the Inside Antenna
(Instructions are for optional Panel Antenna)
Select a location for the Inside Antenna, preferably in the center of 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.
Ceiling
Rafters
Ceiling
Drywall
Inside
Antenna

9Contact Wilson Electronics Technical Support Team with any questions at 866-294-1660
or email: [email protected]. Mon.- Fri. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm MST.
10
Warning: An Inside Antenna must have a separation distance from
all persons that is at least 8 inches for the Panel Antenna.
In some cases, multiple Inside Antennas may be required, for instance if
you have multiple rooms with poor signal. A signal may be split by using
a splitter (sold separately). If using more than one Inside Antenna, a
separation up to 75 horizontal feet may be necessary between Inside
Antennas. Refer to the configuration on pages 3 & 4.
Installing a Wilson Electronics Signal Booster
Select a location to install the Signal Booster that is away from excessive
heat, direct sunlight, moisture and that has proper ventilation. Do not
place the Signal Booster in an air-tight enclosure. Recommended
installation locations for in-building Signal Boosters are near a power
outlet and in a closet or on a shelf.
Note: It is important to have adequate air ventilation. Maintain at least
6 inches of clearance from surrounding objects. Be careful when
plugging the connector in so as not to damage the center pins on
the connectors.
Run the Outside Antenna cable to the Signal Booster and attach it to
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.
Note: For distances of 20 feet or more, use Wilson low loss cable.
Note: 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.
Optional Wide Band
Inside Antenna
(sold separately)
Multiple mounting
options available
Splitter Options:
3-way
(859980)
4-way
(859981)
2-way
(859957)