2. How it works
How the Vodafone
GSM/2G Booster works
The 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.
Antenna Booster
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3. Safety & contents Setting it up
Safety Setting it up
Read the health and safety information section in When setting up your Vodafone GSM/2G Booster
the User Guide provided there are three main things to remember to get the best
Avoid contact with liquid – keep dry signal boost:
Do not try to disassemble • make sure that the antenna is located to receive the
best Vodafone signal
Only use approved accessories
• make sure that the antenna and the booster are as far
Small parts may cause a choking hazard: keep out apart as possible (at least 4 metres is optimal)
of reach of small children
• make sure that the front of the booster is facing away
Plastic bags present a suffocation hazard to from the antenna.
young children. Dispose of all packaging safely.
Choosing the best location
Before setting up the Vodafone GSM/2G Booster, you
What’s in the box need to find the best location for the antenna and the
booster, which are connected together by a 6m long
• one antenna with 6 metre cable attached – in some cable:
countries a further 6 metre extension cable may be • the antenna must be located where there is a
provided Vodafone mobile signal
• one booster, with reversible stand/mounting bracket • choose where you want the mobile coverage to be
• booster power supply enhanced – ideally the area where you most use your
Vodafone mobile phone, USB mobile stick or Mobile
• mounting bracket for the antenna Connect card. Place the booster facing this area.
• optional stand for the antenna • it’s advisable to keep any children away from the area
• 4 screws and rawl plugs (note: the rawl plugs provided when setting up the Vodafone GSM/2G Booster.
are suitable for solid walls – alternatives will need to
be found if other wall types are considered)
• user guide.
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4. Setting it up Setting it up
1. Position the antenna 2. Connect it up The antenna is waterproof, and
may be placed outside – the
• place the antenna where the best mobile signal is • screw together the other end of
booster should never be placed
received. You can use the signal strength indicator on the antenna’s connection cable
outside.
a Vodafone mobile phone or Vodafone mobile connect with the antenna connection on
card to help you with this. An ideal site for the antenna the booster. You only need to • plug the power supply into the
will normally be near a window or on an outside wall. use your fingers to screw the two bottom of the booster, and switch
The antenna should face away from the building. parts together. on the mains power. Do not
connect the device to the power
• see page 9 for example installations • place the booster in a ventilated
supply or switch it on until the
• make sure that the antenna is at least 4 metres away area that is not exposed to direct
previous installation instructions
from the booster – the further the separation, the sunlight, near a power point.
have been carried out.
better the booster will work. Take care to avoid the Make sure that the front (the side
with the Vodafone logo) is facing • try different angles and locations
risk of tripping over the cable (once the booster is
towards the area where you need for the antenna until you get the
positioned, the cable should be safely and securely
a signal boost. strongest reception
routed – see section 4).
Note: if the booster can be the • The left-hand signal bars on the
• if the antenna is to be stood on a windowsill, slot the
other side of an internal wall booster show the
mounting bracket into the supplied stand
from the antenna, it can help strength of the Vodafone signal
• to fix the antenna to a structure (eg. a wall), see reduce any interference, and can being received by the antenna.
section 4 for installation. Do not permanently install potentially allow the distance The greater the number of bars
the antenna until you have followed through the between the booster and the the better the signal.
remaining installation instructions, and are happy with antenna to be less than 4 metres.
the location of both the antenna and booster.
Booster connections
connection to antenna connection
power supply on Booster
Antenna positions
reversible Booster stand/
mounting bracket continued on the next page u
4 5
5. Setting it up Setting it up
3. Position the booster • a test call from your Vodafone mobile phone can be
made to check the area of coverage provided by the
Point the front of the booster (the
booster, and to help you decide if you have chosen the
side with the Vodafone logo) towards
best location for the Vodafone GSM/2G Booster.
the area where you want the mobile
coverage to be enhanced. Refer to the Troubleshooting pages to fix any problems.
When you are happy with the location of the antenna and
• make sure that the front of the
booster, they can be permanently installed. Make sure
booster doesn’t point toward
that they cannot be accidentally knocked out of position.
the antenna, as this will interfere with the signal, and
reduce the boost effect. You may see the booster 4. Fix the antenna and (if applicable) the
signal bars flashing to warn you if this happens. booster mounting plate
• the right-hand signal bars on the booster show how Before fixing the antenna and/or booster, it is important to
much the mobile signal is being boosted. Adjust the refer to the separate Health and Safety Information sheet.
position of the booster to maximise the number of
bars lit up. • switch off the mains power, and disconnect the power
supply and the antenna connection cable from the
Now you have found the best position for the booster, booster
decide how you can secure it there. The mounting
bracket on the back of the booster is reversible, so it can • to fix the antenna to a structure (eg. a wall) use the
be used as a stand on a flat surface, or as a wall mount. supplied mounting bracket. Selecting two hole
positions on opposite sides, drill two 6mm diameter
• to make a stand for the booster, holes into the structure. Using
slide the mounting bracket two screws and rawl plugs fix the
onto the back of the booster in bracket to the structure. Once the
position 1 (marked on the back of mounting bracket is screwed to
the mount). the wall clip the antenna to the
• to fix the booster to a structure bracket.
(eg. a wall), use position 2 of the 1 • to fix the booster on a wall, turn
bracket – see section 4. Do not
permanently install the booster
the mount over into position 2. 2
Use the screw holes in the mount
until you are happy with the as a drilling guide.
location of both the antenna and
booster. Bracket used as a stand in position 1 Bracket used as a mounting plate in
position 2
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6 7
6. Setting it up Example installations
• screw the mount to the wall with two of the screws Example installations
and rawl plugs provided and slide the booster down
Window installation: the antenna is facing out of the window, with the
onto it
booster facing into the building, covering the area that’s most useful.
• 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
Booster Antenna
cable ties or tape.
5. That’s it
You’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.
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7. Example installations Help
Outside installation: if the quality of signal inside the
house isn’t good enough, the antenna may need to be Help
fixed to an outside wall (it’s fully waterproof).
Refer to the health Troubleshooting
and safety information Q. The signal bars aren’t
provided. 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.
Antenna Leave the antenna pointing in this direction
Booster 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.
Loft or attic installation: these sometimes prove to be Q. After power on, the booster signal bars are
Antenna Booster ideal locations for the Vodafone GSM/2G Booster. flashing red
The antenna faces out through the roof, with the booster A. The antenna and booster are too close, or are pointing
facing down into the at each other.
premises, giving the best
coverage of boosted Make sure that the antenna and booster have not been
signal through the central accidentally knocked out of position. Make sure that they
area of the premises. are separated as much as possible, and that the front
However, Vodafone of the booster (the side with the Vodafone logo) isn’t
does not recommend pointing at the antenna.
self-installation in lofts Once the positions have been adjusted you’ll need to
or attics: a professional reset the booster by turning it off at the mains power
installer should be supply and then turning it back on again.
engaged for such sites to
Finally adjust the position and direction of the booster to
avoid any injury.
maximise the output bars.
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8. 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 support
If 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.
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