Quick Answer
An elevator is a metal box inside a concrete shaft, so the outdoor signal rarely reaches the car. A dedicated antenna in the car or shaft, fed by a lift-rated cable from a booster, is normally required. Test voice and the emergency phone at every floor.
Why the signal disappears
The metal car acts as a Faraday cage and the shaft adds concrete and steel. Even a strong outdoor signal may not reach the car. The problem is not usually the phone or the operator; it is the RF path.
How to measure
- Measure the outdoor level at the roof or the nearest facade.
- Test inside the car at the bottom, middle and top floors.
- Test the worst shaft position and the emergency phone.
- Record whether the drop is only in the car or also in the lobby.
What a workable design includes
- A donor antenna at the roof or a usable outdoor position.
- A booster in a serviceable equipment room.
- A lift-rated cable and a dedicated antenna in the car or shaft.
- Coordination with the lift contractor and a joint emergency-phone test.
Book a remote diagnosis
Share the site conditions and we will reply with a preliminary assessment and the measurements still needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every elevator need its own antenna?
In most cases yes, because the metal car shields the signal. One host may serve several lifts if the RF design and cable routes allow it.
Can the system support the emergency phone?
It can improve the radio path, but the emergency phone and lift alarm must be tested together. The lift contractor and building operator confirm the acceptance criteria.
Can we install without entering the shaft?
Sometimes a car-mounted antenna with a traveling-cable connection is enough, but shaft access is often needed for cable routing and testing. The lift vendor must approve the method.