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Vodafone GSM/2G BoosterInstallation guide

To get the best GSM/2G mobile coverage

possible, and to ensure your safety and the

safety of others around you, it’s important

that you read and follow the instructions

carefully.

In the event of any difficulty please

contact a qualified engineer to perform

the installation.

Make the most of now© Vodafone Group 2009. Vodafone and the Vodafone logos are trade marks of the Vodafone Group. Any product or company names mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective owners.

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Antenna Booster

How it works

How the Vodafone GSM/2G Booster worksThe Vodafone GSM/2G Booster comprises a booster and an antenna connected by a cable. The antenna is positioned – inside or outside the premises – at a place where it receives the best Vodafone mobile signal available. The booster is positioned at a place inside the premises pointing where the mobile signal is needed most.

The mobile signal is then passed from the antenna, along the connecting cable to the powered booster. This enhances the signal strength, and re-transmits a stronger signal internally.

To ensure the best performance it is important to position and align the antenna and booster carefully – LED bars on the front of the booster are provided to help this process.

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SafetyRead the health and safety information section in the User Guide provided

Avoid contact with liquid – keep dry

Do not try to disassemble

Only use approved accessories

Small parts may cause a choking hazard: keep out of reach of small children

Plastic bags present a suffocation hazard to young children. Dispose of all packaging safely.

Safety & contents

Setting it upWhen setting up your Vodafone GSM/2G Booster there are three main things to remember to get the best signal boost:

make sure that the antenna is located to receive the • best Vodafone signal

make sure that the antenna and the booster are as far • apart as possible (at least 4 metres is optimal)

make sure that the front of the booster is facing away • from the antenna.

Choosing the best locationBefore setting up the Vodafone GSM/2G Booster, you need to find the best location for the antenna and the booster, which are connected together by a 6m long cable:

the antenna must be located where there is a • Vodafone mobile signal

choose where you want the mobile coverage to be • enhanced – ideally the area where you most use your Vodafone mobile phone, USB mobile stick or Mobile Connect card. Place the booster facing this area.

it’s advisable to keep any children away from the area • when setting up the Vodafone GSM/2G Booster.

Setting it up

What’s in the boxone antenna with 6 metre cable attached – in some • countries a further 6 metre extension cable may be provided

one booster, with reversible stand/mounting bracket•

booster power supply•

mounting bracket for the antenna•

optional stand for the antenna•

4 screws and rawl plugs (note: the rawl plugs provided • are suitable for solid walls – alternatives will need to be found if other wall types are considered)

user guide.•

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1. Position the antennaplace the antenna where the best mobile signal is • received. You can use the signal strength indicator on a Vodafone mobile phone or Vodafone mobile connect card to help you with this. An ideal site for the antenna will normally be near a window or on an outside wall. The antenna should face away from the building.

see page 9 for example installations•

make sure that the antenna is at least 4 metres away • from the booster – the further the separation, the better the booster will work. Take care to avoid the risk of tripping over the cable (once the booster is positioned, the cable should be safely and securely routed – see section 4).

if the antenna is to be stood on a windowsill, slot the • mounting bracket into the supplied stand

to fix the antenna to a structure (eg. a wall), see • section 4 for installation. Do not permanently install the antenna until you have followed through the remaining installation instructions, and are happy with the location of both the antenna and booster.

Setting it up

2. Connect it upscrew together the other end of • the antenna’s connection cable with the antenna connection on the booster. You only need to use your fingers to screw the two parts together.

place the booster in a ventilated • area that is not exposed to direct sunlight, near a power point. Make sure that the front (the side with the Vodafone logo) is facing towards the area where you need a signal boost.

Note: if the booster can be the other side of an internal wall from the antenna, it can help reduce any interference, and can potentially allow the distance between the booster and the antenna to be less than 4 metres.

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The antenna is waterproof, and may be placed outside – the booster should never be placed outside.

plug the power supply into the • bottom of the booster, and switch on the mains power. Do not connect the device to the power supply or switch it on until the previous installation instructions have been carried out.

try different angles and locations • for the antenna until you get the strongest reception

The left-hand signal bars on the • booster show the strength of the Vodafone signal being received by the antenna. The greater the number of bars the better the signal.

Setting it up

reversible Booster stand/mounting bracket

Booster connections

connection to power supply

antenna connection on Booster

Antenna positions

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3. Position the boosterPoint the front of the booster (the side with the Vodafone logo) towards the area where you want the mobile coverage to be enhanced.

make sure that the front of the • booster doesn’t point toward the antenna, as this will interfere with the signal, and reduce the boost effect. You may see the booster signal bars flashing to warn you if this happens.

the right-hand signal bars on the booster show how • much the mobile signal is being boosted. Adjust the position of the booster to maximise the number of bars lit up.

Now you have found the best position for the booster, decide how you can secure it there. The mounting bracket on the back of the booster is reversible, so it can be used as a stand on a flat surface, or as a wall mount.

to make a stand for the booster, • slide the mounting bracket onto the back of the booster in position 1 (marked on the back of the mount).

to fix the booster to a structure • (eg. a wall), use position 2 of the bracket – see section 4. Do not permanently install the booster until you are happy with the location of both the antenna and booster.

Setting it up Setting it up

a test call from your Vodafone mobile phone can be • made to check the area of coverage provided by the booster, and to help you decide if you have chosen the best location for the Vodafone GSM/2G Booster.

Refer to the Troubleshooting pages to fix any problems. When you are happy with the location of the antenna and booster, they can be permanently installed. Make sure that they cannot be accidentally knocked out of position.

4. Fix the antenna and (if applicable) the booster mounting plateBefore fixing the antenna and/or booster, it is important to refer to the separate Health and Safety Information sheet.

switch off the mains power, and disconnect the power • supply and the antenna connection cable from the booster

to fix the antenna to a structure (eg. a wall) use the • supplied mounting bracket. Selecting two hole positions on opposite sides, drill two 6mm diameter holes into the structure. Using two screws and rawl plugs fix the bracket to the structure. Once the mounting bracket is screwed to the wall clip the antenna to the bracket.

to fix the booster on a wall, turn • the mount over into position 2. Use the screw holes in the mount as a drilling guide.

1

Bracket used as a stand in position 1

2

Bracket used as a mounting plate in position 2

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Example installationsWindow installation: the antenna is facing out of the window, with the booster facing into the building, covering the area that’s most useful.

Example installations

Booster Antenna

screw the mount to the wall with two of the screws • and rawl plugs provided and slide the booster down onto it

make sure that the routing of the cable between the • antenna and booster is safe and secure, so that it does not become damaged (eg. in a doorway) or pose a tripping hazard. Coil any excess cable and secure with cable ties or tape.

5. That’s itYou’re now ready to start using Vodafone mobile services. The Vodafone GSM/2G Booster should provide good signal coverage up to 9 metres from the device. Refer to the User Guide for further information.

Note: When in use, the Vodafone GSM/2G Booster will get warm to the touch – this is perfectly normal operation. If it gets abnormally warm or you notice anything that might suggest it is not working properly, disconnect from the mains power and call your local Vodafone customer services.

Setting it up

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Loft or attic installation: these sometimes prove to be ideal locations for the Vodafone GSM/2G Booster.

The antenna faces out through the roof, with the booster facing down into the premises, giving the best coverage of boosted signal through the central area of the premises. However, Vodafone does not recommend self-installation in lofts or attics: a professional installer should be engaged for such sites to avoid any injury.

Outside installation: if the quality of signal inside the house isn’t good enough, the antenna may need to be fixed to an outside wall (it’s fully waterproof). Refer to the health and safety information provided.

Example installations

Antenna

Booster

BoosterAntenna

HelpTroubleshootingQ. The signal bars aren’t lighting up

A. Make sure that the power lead is securely connected to the booster, and that it’s plugged in. Slowly rotate the antenna from side to side to find the direction that gives the maximum number of signal bars on the booster. Leave the antenna pointing in this direction

If that doesn’t help, then reset the booster by turning it off at the mains power supply and then turning it back on again.

Use your Vodafone mobile phone, USB mobile stick or Mobile Connect card to confirm that there is the required Vodafone mobile coverage at the antenna location.

Q. After power on, the booster signal bars are flashing red

A. The antenna and booster are too close, or are pointing at each other.

Make sure that the antenna and booster have not been accidentally knocked out of position. Make sure that they are separated as much as possible, and that the front of the booster (the side with the Vodafone logo) isn’t pointing at the antenna.

Once the positions have been adjusted you’ll need to reset the booster by turning it off at the mains power supply and then turning it back on again.

Finally adjust the position and direction of the booster to maximise the output bars.

Help

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Help

Q. The signal bars on the booster aren’t fully lit

A. Make sure that the antenna cable is connected securely to the booster.

The booster needs a Vodafone mobile signal to work. The left hand signal bars show the strength of this received signal. It may be that you need to use a different window or move upstairs for a better signal to be received by the antenna. The antenna should be located so that the left hand input lights are as fully lit as possible.

Q. The output bars on the booster aren’t fully lit

A. The booster is designed to protect itself, and the Vodafone network, by reducing the signal boost if it is not installed correctly.

To get the best boosted signal, make sure the booster does not point at the antenna, and that they are separated as much as possible. Carefully adjust the position and direction in which the booster is pointing, so that the right hand signal bars are as fully lit as possible.

Help and supportIf you still have problems setting up or using your Vodafone GSM/2G Booster, or have any other questions, then please contact your local customer services.