Stood near the cell tower (watertank)...

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Timothy Stark - 31 Jul 2003 02:09 GMT

Hello folks,

A few weeks ago, when I came out of the Glenmont Metro Station (part of DC
subway system), I noticed that full 4 bars on my color sidekick. When I
walked on the sidewalk by the KFC restaurant that is next to the watertank
that has radio cells on two of its poles. I checked my color sidekick and
it showed that ASU is 31 (-53db). Very strong signal. That must be cell
tower. Hmmm.

Other day, I walked through the Underground Shops in the Crystal City. By
the Simply Wireless store, I noticed that very strong signal (31 ASU
or -53db) on my color sidekick. There must be leaky feeders in that
building.

Hmmm. Any experience like that? Why do some buildings like shopping
malls, etc. have leaky feeders inside to provide much better coverage to
cover inside area?

Thank you.
Tim Stark

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Doru Roll - 31 Jul 2003 12:28 GMT

Service providers use coverage enhancement devices called T(ower) M(ounted)
A(mplifiers), T(ower) M(ounted) B(oosters) in wide-open spaces to eliminate
"quiet zones" or "blind spots". The TMBs may transmit at the same power
level as a base station, between 10 to 100 Watts.

In shopping malls or very large stores such as Wall-Mart Megastores they use
mini (small) or micro (very small) cells to provide coverage. These cells
are the "fuctional" equivalent of a regular base station, but operate at
power levels of up to only 1 Watt. The cells are very unobtrusive,
practically impossible to detect from below the drop ceilings.

BTW, if a particular service provider has a store in the mall, guess where
they will locate the mini/micro cell? No leaky feedlines there, just
marketing ;-)

Regards,
Doru Roll

> Hello folks,
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Thank you.
> Tim Stark

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