ZBoost ZB560FCS Setup Overview

SETUP OVERVIEW

zBoost

®

Cellular Xtreme

REACH ZB560FCS

DMAN-0058

Rev 4914

SETTING UP YOUR zBOOST

®

 SIGNAL BOOSTER

The zBoost ZB560FCS is designed to provide increased in-building voice and data 

coverage, up to 9,000 square feet, and better reach into rural environments. The 

ZB560FCS supports multiple users and all devices operating on (CEL) 800 MHz 

Network.  

Boost voice and data transmission and increase call clarity in 4 easy steps:

FIRST: Choose a location for the External Antenna using your cell phone to 

determine the area of strongest signal.

 The coverage your zBoost provides is 

largely determined by the quality of signal received by the External Antenna. This 

location will be typically found on the roof. 

Before installing, please note the following important factors in determining your 

zBoost performance:

• 

At least 15 vertical feet is needed between the External Antenna (receives the 

outside signal) and the Indoor Antenna (rebroadcasts the signal indoors). Separation 

less than 15 vertical feet will result in decreased performance. 

•  Keep the External Antenna at least 2 feet above any 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.

To get the maximum benefit, you will want to take special care in pointing the 

External Antenna in the direction of best signal for your wireless service provider.  If 

you are unsure of the direction of your provider's closest network tower, see the 

Antenna Aiming section of the User Manual or you may wish to use a YX699 RF 

signal meter to help during this process. 

Once you have determined the optimum location and angle, connect the bracket to 

the antenna and secure the antenna bracket to a mast (not provided) using the 

provided antenna hardware.

SECOND: Place the Indoor Antenna where you want to create a Cell Zone

TM

. 

The Base Unit can be easily mounted on a wall by first removing the silver 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 FCC requires that this panel antenna has a 

minimum horizontal separation of 6 feet (2 meters) from other CMRS (commercial 

mobile radio service) devices. 

The Indoor Antenna should be mounted on a wall facing the direction 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.

Remember, the zBoost REACH 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 provided coaxial cable between the Base Unit and External 

Antenna.

 Use the provided 35 feet of RG-6 coaxial cable to connect the External 

Antenna and the Base Unit. To run the cable from exterior to interior through a 

window, an 8 inch window-entry cable is available for purchase (Part: YX030-08W). 

Should you need additional cable length, 15 foot  extensions (Part: YX030-15W) are 

available at www.zBoost.com. Please note: Cable longer than 65 feet is not 

recommended.

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.

Download the Cellular Xtreme REACH ZB560FCS User Manual at www.zBoost.com/Support

PACKAGE CONTENTS

Coax Cable

RG-6, 35 feet

zBoost Base Unit

See LED Indicator section for more information.

Should you desire to improve coverage, you may:

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

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

Power Supply

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

Indoor Antenna

and TNC-F Adaptor

External Antenna

and attached Bracket

Coax Cable

RG-6, 15 ft

zBoost Base Unit

Power Supply

Coaxial Cable

External Antenna

Indoor Antenna

External Antenna Bracket Assembly

15 ft. of

Vertical 

Separation