Vodafone

UMTS/3G
Booster
Installation guide
To get the best 3G mobile coverage
possible, and to ensure your safety and the
safety of others around you, its 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.

How it works

How the Vodafone

UMTS/3G Booster works
The Vodafone UMTS/3G 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 3G 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

Safety & contents

Safety
Read 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.

Setting it up

Setting it up
When setting up your Vodafone UMTS/3G 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 3G 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 location

Whats in the box

one 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)

Before setting up the Vodafone UMTS/3G 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 3G mobile signal
choose where you want the 3G coverage to be
enhanced ideally the area where you most use your
Vodafone 3G phone, HSDPA stick or Mobile Connect
card. Place the booster facing this area.
its advisable to keep any children away from the area
when setting up the Vodafone UMTS/3G Booster.

user guide.

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Setting it up

Setting it up

1. Position the antenna

2. Connect it up

place the antenna where the best 3G mobile signal

is received. You can use the signal strength indicator
on a Vodafone 3G 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.

screw together the other end of

the antennas connection cable
with the antenna connection on
the booster. You only need to
use your fingers to screw the two
parts together.

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.

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.

The antenna is waterproof, and

may be placed outside the
booster should never be placed
outside.
p lug 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
3G signal being received by the
antenna. The greater the number
of bars the better the signal.

Booster connections

connection to
power supply

antenna connection
on Booster

Antenna positions
reversible Booster stand/
mounting bracket
4

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Setting it up

Setting it up

3. Position the booster

a test call from your Vodafone 3G 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 UMTS/3G Booster.

Point the front of the booster (the

side with the Vodafone logo) towards
the area where you want the 3G
mobile coverage to be enhanced.
make sure that the front of the
booster doesnt 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.
t he 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.
t o 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).
t o 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.

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 plate
Before fixing the antenna and/or booster, it is important
to refer to the separate Health and Safety Information
sheet.
s witch 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.
t o fix the booster on a wall, turn
the mount over into position 2.
Use the screw holes in the mount
as a drilling guide.

Bracket used as a stand in position 1

2
Bracket used as a mounting plate in
position 2

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Setting it up

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.

Example installations

Example installations
Window installation: the antenna is facing out of the window, with the
booster facing into the building, covering the area thats most useful.

Booster

Antenna

5. Thats it
Youre now ready to start using Vodafone 3G mobile
services. The Vodafone UMTS/3G 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 UMTS/3G 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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Help

Example installations

Outside installation: if the quality of signal inside the

house isnt good enough, the antenna may need to be
fixed to an outside wall (its fully waterproof).
Refer to the health
and safety information
provided.

Help
Troubleshooting
Q. The signal bars arent
lighting up
A. Make sure that the power lead is securely connected
to the booster, and that its 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

Antenna

If that doesnt help, then reset the booster by turning it

off at the mains power supply and then turning it back on
again.

Booster

Use your Vodafone 3G mobile phone, HSDPA stick or

Mobile Connect card to confirm that there is the required
Vodafone 3G coverage at the antenna location.
Antenna

Booster

Loft or attic installation: these sometimes prove to be

ideal locations for the Vodafone UMTS/3G Booster.

Q. After power on, the booster signal bars are

flashing red

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.

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) isnt
pointing at the antenna.
Once the positions have been adjusted youll 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.
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Help

Q. The signal bars on the booster arent fully lit

A. Make sure that the antenna cable is connected
securely to the booster.
The booster needs a Vodafone 3G 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 arent 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 UMTS/3G Booster, or have any other questions,
then please contact your local customer services.

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