ZBoost CONNECT ZB540 Setup Overview

SETUP OVERVIEW

DMAN-0066 Rev 4914

PACKAGE CONTENTS

Should you desire to improve coverage, you may:

•  Relocate the External Antenna to capture a better signal – higher is better.

•  Increase the distance between the Indoor Antenna and the External Antenna. 

•  Purchase an upgrade antenna at www.zBoost.com.

SETTING UP YOUR zBOOST

®

 SIGNAL BOOSTER

FIRST: Install the External Antenna

Choosing the best location for installation of the External Antenna provides the best 

performance and the largest area of improved signal.  Determine the location which 

provides the strongest signal using the signal strength indicator on your cell phone.  

Find the location which provides the most bars of signal strength and place the 

External Antenna at that location. This location will be typically found on the roof.

The YX699 Signal Meter (available separately) provides signal strength information.  

It can be used with its supplied whip antenna to find the best location for antenna 

placement.  It can also identify peak antenna alignment when connected directly to 

antenna using the provided cable.

Caution: Avoid placing antenna near metal such as wiring, A/C ducts, truss plates, 

etc.  When attaching the cable to the antenna, run the cable straight down from the 

antenna.  Avoid draping the coax near the antenna.

When you have determined the location of the strongest signal, install the External 

Antenna to a mast or pole (not provided). Loosely secure the antenna to the mast to 

allow the antenna to be reoriented for strongest signal.

Antenna Aiming

To get the maximum benefit, you will want to take special care to make sure you 

point the antennas in the direction of the best signal for your wireless service 

provider.  You may wish to use a YX699 RF signal meter to help during this process.

SECOND: Install the Base Unit and Indoor Antenna

The Base Unit can be easily mounted on a wall by first removing the bracket from 

the Base Unit and using the provided mounting hardware to affix to wall. Connect 

the  Indoor Antenna to the 15 feet of RG-6. Then, using the TNC-F Adaptor, connect 

the RG-6 to the Base Unit. The Base Unit should be a minimum distance of 4-5 feet 

off from the floor so there is clearance for the Indoor Antenna extension.

The Indoor Antenna should be mounted on a ceiling where increased coverage is 

desired. Keep the Indoor Antenna off floor and at least 3 feet away from other cords, 

metal objects or other wireless devices such as wireless routers or wireless access 

points. The zBoost performs best when there are no obstructions between the 

Indoor Antenna and your mobile device.

The zBoost ZB645SL-CM requires at least 15 feet of vertical separation between the 

Indoor Antenna and the External Antenna. Generally, increasing this distance (up to 

40 feet) will increase the performance and decreasing the distance will limit zBoost 

performance. 

THIRD: Run the Coaxial Cable between the External Antenna and the Base Unit

Connect the two provided RG-6 coax cables (35 feet & 15 feet) using the provided 

window-entry cable. Use the attached cables to connect the Base Unit and External 

Antenna  through a window, positioning the window-entry cable at the window closing. 

For addtional cable setup options, see User Manual.

FOURTH: Connect the zBoost Base Unit to the provided power supply and plug 

into a power outlet

When your zBoost system is in place and fully connected, walk throughout your 

building and verify that you are able to reliably place calls. If the signal strength has 

improved, your zBoost is working. 

Remember, coverage varies based on outdoor signal level, building construction, and 

antenna placement. Coverage in adjoining rooms will be reduced by walls and 

building materials.

Upon initial power up, the LED will cycle RED, GREEN and ORANGE for 30 seconds.  

After, a series of GREEN flashes will indicate the quality of your setup. Following this, 

a solid GREEN light indicates normal conditions. If it is not solid GREEN, follow the 

instructions in the Base Unit LED Indicators section. Adjustments may be needed to 

optimize performance. If you find the increased signal coverage is acceptable, 

however, no additional adjustments are needed. 

See LED Indicator section for more information.

Download the SOHO Premium ZB645SL-CM Manual at www.zBoost.com/Support

Window Entry

Cable

External Antenna

Power Supply

External Antenna

Base Unit

Indoor Antenna

Power Supply

Coax Cable

Window Entry 

Cable

15 ft of

vertical

separation

15 ft of

vertical

separation

                                       zBoost

®

 SOHO

                                     Premium ZB645SL-CM

BASE UNIT LED INDICATORS

During Initial Power Up

Light 

Mode

Status

Solution

Cycle 

RED, 

GREEN, 

ORANGE

System is 

powering 

up. Please 

allow up to 

30 seconds.

N/A

Flashing 

GREEN

BASE UNIT will 

flash GREEN 

once for every 

2 dB less than 

optimal system 

gain. Three  

flashes or less 

indicates the  

system will 

still operate 

properly.

1. Unplug the BASE UNIT power supply. 

2. Relocate the EXTERNAL ANTENNA to pick up the 

strongest signal from your wireless carrier. 

3. Move the EXTERNAL ANTENNA as far away from the 

INDOOR ANTENNA as possible, with at least 15 ft. of 

vertical separation (height difference).

4. Plug the BASE UNIT power supply back in.

5. Wait 30 secs. for the BASE UNIT to power cycle on.

So

lu

tio

n #1

After Initial Power Up

Light 

Mode

Status

Solution

SOLID 

GREEN

zBoost is 

ready.

N/A

Flashing 

GREEN

zBoost is 

in use.

N/A

SOLID 

ORANGE

EXTERNAL 

ANTENNA 

and INDOOR 

ANTENNA 

are too close 

together. 

1. Unplug the BASE UNIT power supply. 

2. Move the EXTERNAL ANTENNA as far away from the 

INDOOR ANTENNA as possible, with at least 15  ft. of 

vertical separation (height difference).

3. Plug the BASE UNIT power supply back in.

4. Wait 30 secs. for the BASE UNIT to power cycle on.

So

lu

tio

n #2

SOLID 

RED

Signal from the 

carrier’s cell 

tower is too 

strong for the 

BASE UNIT 

to operate 

properly. 

1. Unplug the BASE UNIT power supply. 

2. Relocate the EXTERNAL ANTENNA to another spot. 

3. If you have a directional antenna re-aim it to reduce 

carrier signal strength.

4. Plug the BASE UNIT power supply back in.

5. Wait 30 secs. for the BASE UNIT to power cycle on.

So

lu

tio

n #3

Flashing 

RED

Excessive 

electronic 

noise in the 

system – the 

BASE UNIT will 

not operate.

^ Refer to Solution #2

Coax Cable

RG-6, 35 ft

zBoost Base Unit

Indoor Antenna

and TNC-F Adapter

Coax Cable (2)

RG-6, 15 ft