FORCE8™ Industrial Installation and User Guide Cellular Signal Booster for voice, 4G LTE and 5G data with Built-In Sentry Monitoring For technical support: Email: support@surecall.com | Call: 1-888-365-6283 Available Monday – Friday, 7am – 5pm PST 07.29.19 Activate your warranty at surecall.
Table Of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................2 1.1 Package Contents....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Features & Benefits............................................
Chapter 1: Introduction CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Introducing SureCall’s Force8 Industrial Booster. Please read this entire manual before proceeding. 1.1 Package Contents Your booster box contains the following items: •• (1) Force8 Industrial booster with built-in Sentry monitoring system •• (1) Power supply •• (1) USB cable to set up Sentry software 1.
Chapter 1: Introduction The booster receives the signal from an outside antenna, amplifies that signal and rebroadcasts it indoors via the interior antenna(s) where it is received by cellular devices. The interior antennas also pick up signals from cellular devices and pass them to the booster. The booster amplifies these signals and passes them to the exterior antenna for rebroadcast back to the tower. 1.5 Optional Accessories SureCall offers many compatible antennas and accessories for the Force8.
Chapter 2: Safety WARNING: FAILURE TO EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN WORKING IN HIGH AREAS COULD CAUSE A FALL AND PERSONAL INJURY. •• S ome components may be heavy and/or bulky. Always use proper lifting and carrying techniques when handling components, especially when working on a ladder, roof, or other area with a fall hazard. •• The exterior antenna must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna.
Chapter 3: Planning The Installation CHAPTER 3: PLANNING THE INSTALLATION 3.1 Installation Overview Typically, a BDA installation follows these steps: 1. Decide what type of exterior antenna to use, and where to mount it. You will use either an omnidirectional antenna, mounted vertically, or a directional Yagi antenna, pointed directly at the radio tower (line of sight). The antenna will normally be mounted on the roof of the building or wall with the strongest signal.
Chapter 3: Planning The Installation •• Allow at least 24 inches (60cm) of separation between interior antennas and humans or animals. •• Allow at least 24 inches (60cm) of separation between exterior antennas and all persons. •• Comply with all antenna separation requirements to prevent signal oscillation. CAUTION: SIGNAL OSCILLATION CAN CAUSE RADIO INTERFERENCE WITH RADIO TOWERS AND RESULT IN CIVIL AND/OR CRIMINAL PENALTIES. 3.
Chapter 3: Planning The Installation 3.3 Interior Antennas You may use any combination of omnidirectional (dome) and/or directional (flat panel) interior antennas to obtain balanced signal strength throughout the structure. Dome antennas provide 360-degree hemispherical coverage suitable for mostly square areas, while flat panel antennas provide a focused zone of coverage suitable for long narrow areas.
Chapter 3: Planning The Installation Note: You may not need antennas on every floor of a multistory building, depending on factors such as building material, BDA gain, etc. 3.4 Antenna Separation Proper antenna separation prevents signal oscillation (feedback) that can interfere with the radio tower. Separation is measured in a straight line from the exterior antenna to the closest interior antenna.
Chapter 3: Planning The Installation Antenna Safety Precautions: You can mix and match dome and directional antennas as needed to obtain proper coverage throughout the building or area where you need to boost the signal. If you use a Yagi exterior antenna, you should normally aim it away from all interior antennas, regardless of separation, to prevent oscillation. Antenna Aiming CAUTION: SIGNAL OSCILLATION CAN CAUSE RADIO INTERFERENCE WITH RADIO TOWERS AND RESULT IN CIVIL AND/OR CRIMINAL PENALTIES. OK 3.
Chapter 3: Planning The Installation •• Inside antenna gain (IAG): This is the signal boost provided by an interior antenna and is always a positive number with SureCall antennas. IAG Gain SC-222W omni dome +3 •• Cable loss (CL): This is the signal loss caused by the cable and is always a negative number. CL Loss 20 ft. SC-400 -1 dB / -2 dB 30 ft. SC-400 -2 dB / -4 dB 50 ft. SC-400 -3 dB / -6 dB 100 ft.
Chapter 3: Planning The Installation 3.6 Booster Location Select an indoor location for the BDA that meets the following criteria: •• Wall or ceiling mounts are both acceptable. •• Near a properly grounded 110VAC outlet. •• Avoid in a tightly enclosed or overly hot spaces. •• All power and warning lights are easily visible. •• You can use the shortest cables to connect all antennas. 3.
Chapter 4: Installation CHAPTER 4: INSTALLATION 4.1 Soft Installation Perform a “soft” installation of all components to test signal coverage and oscillation before making the installation permanent. Avoid making holes or other permanent attachments during this phase. Refer to Chapter 5 for configuration and testing instructions. Proceed with final installation once configuration and testing are complete. 4.
Chapter 4: Installation 4.3 Interior Antennas Mount the interior antenna(s) in the location(s) you selected when planning. Follow all instructions included with the antenna(s) to ensure the installation(s) are implemented properly. Here are a few reminders and essential steps: •• Dome antennas are mounted on the ceiling as close to the center of the desired coverage area as possible, domed (convex) side pointing down.
Chapter 4: Installation 4.4 Mounting the BDA Mount the booster as follows: •• Verify that the selected location meets all criteria described in the previous chapter. •• Attach the included mounting kit to the booster using the screws provided. Tighten the screws by hand with a screwdriver until tight plus 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Do not over-tighten. •• Mount a 24 inch x 24 inch x 3⁄4 inch thick sheet of plywood on top of sheetrock, secured into wall studs where the booster is to be placed.
Chapter 5: Configuration & Testing CHAPTER 5: CONFIGURATION & TESTING 5.1 Powering on the BDA To power on the booster: 1. Make sure that exterior and interior antenna cables are firmly connected to the proper ports on the booster. 2. Plug a surge suppressor into a grounded 110 VAC wall outlet. 3. Plug the AC end of the supplied power adapter into the surge suppressor. 4. Plug the DC end of the power adapter into the Power port on the booster. 5. Verify that the green Power light is illuminated. 6.
Chapter 5: Configuration & Testing 5.3. DIP Switch organization 1. 5G DL DIP switches control 5G downlink (switch 1-5) 2. 5G / LTE-A UL DIP switches control 5G & LTE-A uplink (switch 1-5) 3. LTE DL (728-757 MHz) DIP switches control LTE downlink (switch 1-5) 4. LTE-V UL Verizon (781 MHz) DIP switches control LTE uplink (switch 1-5) 5. CELLULAR UL (800 MHz) DIP switches control Cellular uplink (switch 1-5) 6. CELLULAR DL (800 MHz) DIP switches control Cellular downlink (switch 1-5) 7.
Chapter 5: Configuration & Testing Switch 1 1 dB Switch 2 Switch 3 Switch 4 Switch 5 2 dB 4 dB 8 dB 16 dB DOWNLINK UPLINK 1 2 4 8 16 1 2 4 8 16 1 2 345 1 2 345 1 2 4 8 16 1 2 4 8 16 Additive combination effects: •• Switch 1 (1 dB) + Switch 2 (2 dB) = 3 dB attenuation •• Switch 1 (1 dB) + Switch 2 (2 dB) + Switch 3 (4 dB) = 7 dB attenuation PS700-DL •• Switch 1 (1 dB) + Switch 2 (2 dB) + Switch 3 (4 dB) + Switch 4 (8 dB) = 15 dB attenuation PS-UL •• Switch 1 (1 dB) + Switch 2 (2 dB) + S
Chapter 5: Configuration & Testing LED INDICATIONS LED Color LED Condition Resolution Yellow Solid The frequency band is not in use. Eventually, the band will enter sleep mode. When the light is off, it means things are normal, and that the band is active. Yellow Flashing The Automatic Gain Control (AGC) is self-adjusting. This occurs during normal operation. Red Flashing The booster is receiving too much signal. Can cause the affected band to automatically turn off. If this happens: 1.
Chapter 6: Sentry Configuration CHAPTER 6: SENTRY CONFIGURATION Sentry Software Introduction SureCall’s Sentry is a revolutionary advancement in signal-booster management. It aids in the installation, optimization, and ongoing management of your Force8 BDA. It provides installers with tools for seamless system configurations, and it helps pinpoint malfunctions due to unforeseen changes in the amplifier landscape, such as new towers or repeater systems.
Chapter 6: Sentry Configuration because it will allow the computer to “see” the device on the network. Fill in the User Registration form and choose a user name, password, email and user phone. Once completed, click the Register button. Click Register and you’ll see the following screen, prompting you to enter the local Server IP address. Enter SureCall’s server IP: 99.55.251.45 in the Registration Window. Enter a User Name, Password, E-mail, and User Phone in the fields provided.
Chapter 6: Sentry Configuration 6.4 Device Registration Connect the device to the networked client computer with a USB cable as described in the previous section. Make sure the server is also linked to the computer. Select a serial port and click Open, as shown in the Add Booster screen below.
Chapter 6: Sentry Configuration Column Definitions: •• Attenuation: Manually adjusted attenuation via software. •• Manual Attenuation: Manually adjusted attenuation using controls on the device. •• Automatic Gain Control: Automatically adjusted attenuation from excessive signal or close indoor/outdoor antenna proximity •• Gain: Current gain. •• Output Power: Current power. •• Outside Signal Strength: Strength of input signal. •• Uplink/Downlink Status: RF band status: Sleep, Active, OFF.
Chapter 6: Sentry Configuration Modify Booster Information. To modify the booster information, right click to access a pop-up menu with the following additional options. Select Edit Booster Info to proceed. Delete Booster. To delete a booster, right click on the summary screen again to access a pop-up menu with additional options, and then select Delete Booster. You will see a confirmation screen as shown below. Click Yes to proceed.
Chapter 6: Sentry Configuration To modify your password, type in the requested information shown below and click on Modify. To change the e-mail address where alerts go, enter a new e-mail as shown above and click on Modify. NOTE: IF YOU FORGET YOUR PASSWORD, CLICK FORGOT MY PASSWORD ON THE LOGIN PAGE. THE PASSWORD WILL BE SENT TO YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS. 6.
Chapter 6: Sentry Configuration This tool will identify the optimum location for the outdoor antenna. To test for the best location, the booster and outside antenna must be connected by coax cable. Place the antenna in a position you’d like to test and click on the measure button. The “Position” fields will automatically populate with the dB measurement from various locations by clicking on the measure button at each possible location. You can test up to 5 positions.
Chapter 6: Sentry Configuration Sentry Dashboard From the dashboard above you can manually adjust the attenuation dB to resolve problems with oscillation and overpowering issues. You can also turn off individual bands. ATTENUATION CAN BE LOWERED TO A MAXIMUM OF 30 OR 31 DB, DEPENDING ON THE BOOSTER MODEL AND A MAX OF 25 DB THROUGH SENTRY SOFTWARE. SureCall | 48346 Milmont Drive, Fremont CA 94538 | 1-888-365-6283 | support@surecall.
Chapter 7: Specifications CHAPTER 7: SPECIFICATIONS Force8 Industrial Specifications 12 (LTE-A), 13 (LTE-V), 5 (Cellular), 25 (PCS), 4 (AWS), 71 (T-Mobile 600 MHz), 30 (AT&T WCS) Bands supported: Uplink Frequency 663-716 / 776-787 / 824-849 / 1850-1915 / 1710-1755 / 2305-2315 Nominal System Output Power 22-25 dBm Gain 80 dB (65-70 dB for Band 71: 617-652 / 663-716) Gain step 1 dB Downlink Frequency 617-652 / 728-746 / 746-757 / 869-894 / 1930-1995 / 2110-2155 / 2350-2360 Nominal System Output Pow
Chapter 7: Specifications GSM Frequency Input(dBm) Output (dBm) 4.1 MHz AWGN Gain (dB) Input(dBm) Output (dBm) Gain(dB) UL: 2305-2315 -60.4 21.8 82.2 -60.5 21.1 81.6 UL: 1710-1780 -62.7 22.2 84.9 -62.8 21.8 84.6 UL: 1850-1915 -61.7 22.8 84.5 -62.5 22.6 85.1 UL: 824-894 -61.2 26.2 87.4 -61.4 25.5 86.9 UL: 698-716 -63.3 21.1 84.4 -63.4 20.4 83.8 UL: 663-698 -64.0 22.5 86.5 -64.1 21.6 85.7 UL: 776-787 -57.2 23.8 81.0 -57.2 23.6 80.8 DL: 2350-2360 -58.
Chapter 8: Warranty CHAPTER 8: WARRANTY Activate your product warranty at www.surecall.com/activate For questions regarding your warranty, contact a SureCall representative at 1-888-365-6283 or email support@surecall.com. 8.1 Warranty Periods Your warranty includes the following periods: Three-Year Product Warranty: SureCall products are covered under a three-year product warranty from the date of purchase.
Chapter 8: Warranty held to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, then such provision shall be ineffective and excluded to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof. WARNING: E911 location information may not be provided or may be inaccurate for calls served BY USING THIS DEVICE. 48346 Milmont Drive Fremont, California 94538, USA 888.365.6283 | www.surecall.
SureCall, Inc 48346 Milmont Drive Fremont, California 94538, USA 888.365.6283 | www.surecall.
