zBoost
®
ZB450 Manual
zBoost
®
ZB450 Manual
2
3
Preparing to Set Up Your zBoost Product
Overview
Thank you for choosing zBoost! You will now be able to use your cell phone INSIDE your home.
Gone are the days when you had to go to the window upstairs or walk outside to use your cell
phone. Like a skylight that brings sunlight into your home, zBoost transports and ampli
fi
es the
outdoor signal into your home.
By following the easy instructions in this User Manual, you will be Extending Cell Zones™ into your
home.
Why Indoor Signals Can Be Weak
There are several obstacles that can contribute to the poor reception you receive in your home:
1.
Location of the Cell Phone Tower in Relation to Your Home
While cell phone providers have tried to place cell phone towers to provide the best overall
coverage, local ordinances and terrain features can impose restrictions on where these
towers can be placed, thus, limiting the signal strength available at your location.
2.
Obstructions Caused by Buildings, Terrain and Trees
Cell phone signals can be completely blocked or re
fl
ected by buildings, walls, trees, hills
and other terrain features resulting in low signal strength.
3. Energy
Ef
fi
cient Windows
Energy ef
fi
cient windows contain a metal
fi
lm that can affect signal penetration into the
house.
Tools Needed
The following tools are needed to set up zBoost:
•
#2 Phillips screwdriver
•
Cellular phone operating in the band supported by your zBoost unit
•
Drill (may be required for outdoor or attic antenna placement)
Check for Signal Strength
Before placing a zBoost in your home, make sure that you can place calls on the outside of your
home, in the attic, at roof level or wherever you plan to place the External Antenna. zBoost can only
bring signal into your home when signal reaches the External Antenna. If there is no signal, zBoost
will not work for you.
Using your cell phone, place a call from an outdoor location to con
fi
rm that enough signal is present
to complete the call. If a weak signal is available at ground level, check the signal strength in your
attic or at roof level location where the signal will likely be stronger and where the External Antenna
can be placed for best performance.
If you can reliably make and receive calls outside your home, then zBoost can bring the signal into
your home.
If only one signal bar is displayed on your cell phone outside, indoor coverage will be
limited to one small room.
We recommend placing the External Antenna outside and/or
purchasing a zBoost upgrade External Antenna for increased coverage (see page v).
Note
Cell phone signal bars are approximate and vary from
phone to phone. The number of bars can
fl
uctuate
widely, depending on the location of the phone, the
position or angle of the phone, weather, etc. Most cell
phone signal meters update every 6 to 10 seconds. An
increase of only one bar typically indicates a 4x to 10x
signal increase.
