Jul 8-15 - tinkering

My main activity, so it seems, has been tinkering with the cell booster.  I'm really not making any progress.  I can crank up the boost as high as it goes only if I use the dome antenna beside the filing cabinet, blocking projection towards the outside antenna.  When coupled with the inside panel antenna, I have to turn down the gain because the panel isn't isolated from the outside.  This morning I tried putting the panel in the basement and while that works, i.e. provides additional isolation, not much signal get up to the main floor from that, reducing its utility.  I had considered on picking up a 3 or 4-way splitter and another dome (these things can be returned) but the location of that panel is still going to be an issue, although the extra split will reduce signal all around.

I'm coming to the conclusion that the only way to beat this is to somehow add a deflector up on the outside antenna mast.  Garbage can lid covered in tinfoil ?  LOL.  Squirrel baffle ?  I'd need a very large squirrel baffle. Perhaps a squirrel baffle augmented by some roofing tin ...  hmmm. 

I was also looking at the parabolic antennas but all the FAQ's emphasize "precise" aiming.  The only thing that's precise between here and the Port Loring cell tower is a bunch of trees and hills.  The parabolic will pick up less of the bouncing signals and may provide a much worse solution.  I also found an inexpensive TV parabolic that perhaps I could harvest the outer dish and create my external oscillation shield.  Hmm.  

Sandy's garden is growing, albeit slowly due to all the rain that we've had.  She's in Sudbury today, mostly something to do on a rainy day.  Kylie is planning on coming up on the weekend, so I hear, sans Jesse who is working.  5 next door if you count Chili - Gav and Amanda are in residence but heading back today; Kim is working on the weekend so she's in Brantford.  J&L will have a weekend by themselves.

Also due to the rain, I piled the birch in the woodshed but expect that it will need piling again.  I also found that I've got quite a few pieces that I need to split again; halfs rather than quarters.  At any rate, they're out of the rain now. 

That's about it.  Nothing new on the bike build.  I don't want to be a pest.  I have all the parts I need, I believe, although I might end up diddling with stem spacers.  It's in Mark's court.

Onward.