03-30-2013, 05:27 AM
Yes -- "over/outside the metal roof" makes a HUGE difference, as does "more elevation".
Beyond that (say, worse than -110dbm) you'd also use a directional antenna (same transmit power over smaller focus = higher effective power).
Note also that a "cellphone" is limited to 600mW ERP so as not to fry your brain. A "device" (vzw home fusion or similar, sometimes called a "mifi") is not limited, some of them might have higher transmit power. Typically they don't run at "full power" unless they're plugged in.
Beyond that (say, worse than -110dbm) you'd also use a directional antenna (same transmit power over smaller focus = higher effective power).
Note also that a "cellphone" is limited to 600mW ERP so as not to fry your brain. A "device" (vzw home fusion or similar, sometimes called a "mifi") is not limited, some of them might have higher transmit power. Typically they don't run at "full power" unless they're plugged in.