How to Lower Booster Power by Manipulating Dipswitches?

To maximize the power that, you can receive from the booster, you can manipulate the dipswitches to optimize the power (amps) to the device. Depending upon the needs of your clients you may need to adjust the attenuation. The attenuation is the reduction of the amplitude of a signal, electric current, or other oscillation on the booster. Commercial grade boosters generally come with switches on the main board or LED interface which will allow the user to manipulate the attenuation of the device.

Here’s the layout of the dipswitch bank:

Switch 1,Switch 2,Switch 3,Switch 4,Switch 5 Correspond to 1 dB, 2 dB, 4 dB, 8 dB, 16 dB, respectively.

To calculate the db a general formula of Output = (milliwatt * -30 DWB) + (Preferred decibel gain) – Current attenuation setting – (coax cable of loss) + (watts of the amplifier).

Here is an example:

Output = -30 + 16 – 10 -3 + 30 = 3 dbW =  2 watts.

You will need to calculate the watts to db through a conversion of watts output from the DBMs to Dbs. Refer to you manual for steps and tips on how to accomplish this. 

Here is how the db gain attenuates.

To add attenuation to the booster based upon the required decibels to optimize the wattage provided to the booster, refer to the switch configuration below.

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.

Switch 1 (1 dB) + Switch 2 (2 dB) + Switch 3 (4 dB) + Switch 4 (8 dB) = 15 dB attenuation.

Switch 1 (1 dB) + Switch 2 (2 dB) + Switch 3 (4 dB) + Switch 4 (8 dB) + Switch 5 (16 dB) = 31 dB attenuation.

It should be noted that attenuation should not be calculated to have the most attenuation but to optimize the needs of the system. In other words, do not just attempt to gain 31 dB attenuation because you can. You do not want to supply more power to the booster than is needed. Also, users should note that antenna placement, cables, additional boosters, external power sources which are on the same circuit, and other factors may play a part in the power optimization of your booster.

We trust that the above will help you to understand the dipswitch attenuation. Please note that all of our amplifiers with dipswitches come fully powered, or un-attenuated, so you will probably have to attenuate the amp’s dB gain if you cannot get enough antenna separation. Should you have any questions contact your licensed technician, IT department, or call us on our toll free customer support line.