Wi-Ex Car Extender cellphone signal booster

Wi-Ex, or Wireless Extenders as we used to know them, have announced their Wi-Ex Car Extender which captures and amplifies the cellphone signal in your car. This "dual-band" signal booster, which we assume (they don't specify) covers the 800 and 1900MHz frequencies, should be compatible with T-Mobile, Sprint, Cingular and Verizon among others. The Car Extender kit is said to be user-installable and consists of a magnetic mounted external antenna, a bi-directional amp you place in the trunk or under the seat with power supplied by the ol' cigarette lighter, and a small interior patch antenna. Expect the kit to demand about $299 and drop for retail before the end of the month.

[Via gadgets weblog]

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 24th 2006 6:43PM]

Honestly, not all of us live in a major metropolitan area. I live less than 20 miles outside of a major city area, and the mountains, redwoods trees, and tons of other things prevent us from getting good cell coverage. We have our own towers in the area, but even then, we will go from 2 to 3 bars to nothing, and then back again while driving. Wireless antenna boosters help beat those dead spots. Also for people who live in more rural areas, where the relay towers are very far apart, can also benefit from such a thing.
Products like this are not new. However it has become a new thing to do this wirelessly, so you phone _just works_ and you don't need to plug in and unplug an external antenna jack.

I am curious also if they have done any contracts with any major manufacturers.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 24th 2006 10:56PM]

Would this help EDGE or the Verizon thingy as well?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 25th 2006 6:09PM]

I have analog phones complete with antennas, etc. in two family cars. Want to switch to Verizon with Motorola e 815 bluetooth. What is the best way to hook up to the antennas for good service in spotty areas ?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2006 12:44PM]

These have been around for years...where's the news here?