Frequently Asked Questions

• Find out where your cell carrier's nearest tower is located. Check this post on finding your nearest cell tower to get started.
• Once you know the tower location, point the main center beam of the Yagi antenna (outside antenna) in the direction of the cell tower.
• Display your phone's signal strength reading. See this post on checking your cell phone's signal strength for more in-depth instructions.
  Signal strength readings are generally displayed in decibels (dBm). The reading is often displayed as a negative number (ex. -100 dBm). The closer the number gets to zero, the stronger the signal.
• Once you find the location that provides the best signal strength, lock down the Yagi antenna's (outside antenna) position. You should now get optimum performance from your booster system.

Find an area where all carriers receive signal. We recommend using multiple devices / SIM cards to check for all desired carriers. Install the antenna in this location, and, if using a directional antenna, point it toward the general direction of the desired carriers.

Bolton boosters amplify frequencies of all carriers.

If using an omni antenna, no.

For a directional antenna, check to see if you’re still getting signal. For best performance, you may wish to fine-tune your antenna, particularly if you are using one of our more powerful varieties.

Putting your phone into field test mode is the best way to go about this. Check this article on how to get into field test mode.

Please note: certain model iPhones have difficulty getting accurate signal readings from field test mode. If you’ve followed the steps in the above article and are still unable to reach field test mode, don’t hesitate to call us at 1-888-987-2658 and we’ll help you out.

Bolton cell phone signal boosters have recommended minimum separation distance between the indoor and outdoor antennas.

If antennas are placed too close together, boosters will experience oscillation. This can dramatically reduce performance.

Proper antenna placement is an extremely important and often overlooked part of any in-building signal booster setup, and should not be ignored.

For Home Install: We recommend at least 20 feet of vertical or 50 feet of horizontal separation between indoor and outdoor antennas. If these distances are not feasible, do a combination of the two. Note: Separation is measured in a straight line between antennas, not by the length of cable.

This is one reason we recommend installing your outdoor antenna on a roof in most situations. Distance between antennas can be lower for less powerful indoor and outdoor antennas.

For Vehicle Installation: We recommend placing the outdoor antenna toward the rear of the roof on the passenger side. You’re looking to get around 18 to 24 inches of separation between the two antennas. This is due to the metal roof of the car acting as something of a shield.

All installation guides can be found in downloadable format on their respective product pages.

This is normal. However, it is best to keep the booster in a climate-controlled area with good ventilation to keep it cooler.

• Improve the positioning of the outside antenna. If you have a directional antenna, pointing it toward your nearest cell tower will get the best results.
• Increasing the number of indoor antennas in your setup. This should only be done if you have strong outdoor signal. Give us a call at 1-888-987-2658 and we can get you set up.

Depending on your setup, you may see a variety of lights on the front of your signal booster. Each light corresponds to one of the bands the Bolton booster operates on.

• Solid Green, Flashing Green, Solid Yellow: Booster is operating normally. No adjustments needed.
• Yellow Flashing Quickly: Automatic Gain Control (AGC) has detected significant antenna isolation issues causing a reduction in gain between 10 and 20 dB for the indicated frequency band(s). Adjustments should be made to improve your booster’s performance.
  1. Verify that the minimum distance of 25 vertical feet has been achieved. Separation up to 40 - 50 ft may be needed, however, especially where vertical separation is not possible.
  2. Check for sources of interference, such as cellular modems or hotspots.
  3. Verify neither antenna is placed near a window.
  4. Ensure that the antennas are aimed away from one another.
• Red/Yellow Flashing Alternately: Extreme gain reduction (greater than 20 dB) resulting from insufficient antenna separation. The frequency band has been disabled. Adjustments should be made to improve your booster’s performance.
  1. Verify that the minimum distance of 25 vertical feet has been achieved. Separation up to 40 - 50 ft may be needed, however, especially where vertical separation is not possible.
  2. Check for sources of interference such as, cellular modems or hotspots.
  3. Verify neither antenna is placed near a window.
  4. Ensure that the antennas are aimed away from one another.

The lights on the booster will turn green if the booster is working, then turn off.

There are a few reasons why a booster wouldn't work after setup. You need to ensure that all lights are green on the booster. Next, check that your cables and connections are secure and hand tight. If the problem persists, we suggest that you call our customer support at and they can help troubleshoot any issues.

Weatherproofing your outside connections is a good idea, as it prevents water from entering the cable and causing problems. It is quick and inexpensive.

All you’ll need is a roll of moisture-sealing tape and a roll of electrical tape, and less than five minutes of spare time.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to weatherproofing:

• Ensure your outside connections are secure.
• Cut around a 12-inch piece of moisture-sealing tape and remove the backing. Place the tape below the connection and begin to wrap around the cable. Stretch the tape at least three-quarters of the original width as you wrap to ensure a proper seal. Be sure to overlap your tape by about half as you wrap.
• Work your way up and over the cable connection until you have overlapped the connection at the top.
• Place the tape into place to seal everything together.
• Prepare your electrical tape. Start below the moisture sealing tape and overwrap the cable in the same manner as before, making sure to overlap the electrical tape by about half.
• Continue until you’ve overlapped the top of the moisture proof tape, then trim the electrical tape and press it into place.

This will protect your booster from rain and UV rays, keeping it operating at peak performance.

There are a wide array of mounting options depending on the type of booster you have and your kit – everything from pole mounts, to sled mounts, to trunk lip mounts.

Our suggestion would be to browse this wide array of mounting options here and choose the one that works best for you. If you’re not sure which that might be, call us at 1-888-987-2658 and we can help.

Bolton boosters can be thought of as investments, and lightning surge protectors are like the insurance protecting that investment. We highly recommend buying a lightning surge protector for all installs.

You can get lightning surge protectors here.

Lightning surge protectors need to be grounded in order to function. To do so, you’ll need a grounding wire (sold separately). We recommend a copper wire no smaller than 10 AWG. Refrain from using braided copper wire.

Attach the ground wire to the surge suppressor’s ground connector and use a set of pliers to crimp the wire on the connector firmly. The other end of the wire needs to be attached to a grounding point. When installing the wire, avoid creating any sharp bends.

Here are a few acceptable grounding points:

• Ground rod (most common)
• Metal electric service panel
• Metal electrical raceway or conduit
• Water pipes
• Metal frame or structure of building

Avoid attaching the wire to materials leading inside your home or building.

FCC regulations require that anyone who operates a cellphone signal booster register the booster with their cellular carrier. Below are links to the online booster registration forms for major U.S. carriers.

If you do not see your service provider below, contact your provider's customer service group to ask how to register your signal booster.

AT&T

https://www.att.com/att/microcell/

Verizon

https://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/consumer/register-signal-booster.html

T-Mobile

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9827

US Cellular

https://www.uscellular.com/support/fcc-booster-registration

Simply follow one of the below links and fill out the form.

If you do not see your service provider below, contact your provider's customer service group to ask how to register your signal booster.

AT&T

https://www.att.com/att/microcell/

Verizon

https://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/consumer/register-signal-booster.html

T-Mobile

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-9827

US Cellular

https://www.uscellular.com/support/fcc-booster-registration

Specific FCC guidelines on the use of cellular signal boosters can be found here.

These date from 2014, and are likely to be revised in the upcoming years due to the proliferation of 5G.

Bolton Technical has a 30-day return policy for cell phone signal boosters.

Within that window, we deal in three types of returns: Refunds, Exchanges, and Defective Merchandise.

Refunds

Email us your order ID and the product serial number. To find the booster serial number, look at the numbers below the model name and number. The 9 digit number with a letter near the center is the serial number.

Refunds are provided within 7-10 business days. Customer pays return shipping.

Exchanges

Email us your order ID and the serial number. To find the booster serial number, look at the numbers below the model name and number. The 9 digit number with a letter near the center is the serial number.

Customer pays return shipping. Once order is received, the Exchange order is placed.

Defective Merchandise

Call and select Option 2 for support or email us your order ID and photos showing defect.

Call our support team to determine if your item is defective for a refund or an exchange. Send Order ID and serial number. To find the booster serial number, look at the numbers below the model name and number. The 15 to 17 digit number with a letter near the center is the serial number.

Return shipping label provided to customer via email. Replacement will be shipped within 24-48 hours after received or refund are provided within 7-10 business days.

We’ll provide you with an RMA (return merchandise authorization).

We only ask that you:

• Pay for return shipping
• Include all the original items and packaging in good condition.

In the event of a manufacturing error, Bolton Technical offers a 2-year warranty. Should you choose to take advantage of this, please call us toll-free at (1-888-987-2658) between the hours of 8AM – 6PM CST. We will provide an RMA (return merchandise authorization) number and will be responsible for return shipping. A replacement product will be shipped to you as soon as possible.

Yes! Bolton cellular routers are suitable for mobile use with their rugged steel enclosure. They can function in ambient temperatures ranging from -40°F to +149°F.

Bolton cellular routers have certifications on:

• FCC, CE, IC, RoHS, and E-Mark
• EN 61373: Shock and vibration resistance
• EN 50155: Railway applications – Electronic equipment used on rolling stock
• EN 61000: Electromagnetic compatibility

Yes. Bolton routers can be used with all cell carriers in the USA, including prepaid plans and MVNOs.

The Bolton Blazer PRO is the only current cellular router which uses 5G frequencies.

Bolton cellular routers can easily connect to the VPN of your choice.

Yes!

In the event of a manufacturing error, Bolton Technical offers a 2-year warranty. Should you choose to take advantage of this, please call us toll-free at (1-888-987-2658) between the hours of 8AM – 6PM CST. We will provide an RMA (return merchandise authorization) number and will be responsible for return shipping. A replacement product will be shipped to you as soon as possible.

No, but we hope you will! To register your router, follow the instructions below.

Registering your router is not necessary for it to work. Bolton customer service will continue to help you even without registration, and we’re happy to replace a failed router if you do not register. However, you’d need to provide a purchase receipt or some other dated record of purchase. Registration solves all those problems, even if we’re pretty confident in our router’s success rate.

The registration process shouldn’t take more than two or three minutes.

On the Web

1. Go to boltontechnical.com/register
2. Complete the form with the required information and click the Register button.
3. Click to choose an answer for each of the optional short survey questions (no more than 3) and you’re done!

Bolton Blazers are single modem devices with 2 SIM slots. Despite having 2 SIM slots, the Blazer uses only one at a time. The second SIM card can be used as a failsafe.

Bolton Blazers use Mini-SIMs (2FF). If you have SIMs of a smaller size, adapters are available.

The router is furnished with an AC plug-in-wall power supply. However, you can supply the router with 12-28V via either the header (terminal block) or the coaxial jack on the front panel. (The jack is non-proprietary, and plugs are commonly available.) You can use the 2 power inputs simultaneously for redundancy.

Maximum power consumption is 12W.

The typical power consumption is 8.5W.

If you are a tax-exempt organization or agency and do not wish to pay sales tax at checkout, please email your valid Tax Exempt Certificate to sales@boltontechnical.com prior to purchase. Please do the following to get started with ordering process:

• Please create an account, send in the tax-exempt documentation and email (email@website.com) with document(s) to prove the same, and documents you need signed to place your order.
• Upon receipt and approval, we will change status of your account to tax-exempt status and send back signed documents your organization requires.
• Then place your order after logging into your account and you will not be charged sales tax for all your order(s). When completing your order, you must use the same email address (case sensitive) that you entered on the tax exemption form. Your SHIPPING zip code must also match the state you entered. Otherwise, your tax will not be removed.