How to boost cellular test equipment output power?

[itsmescotty]

Hey all, apologies in advance if I'm an idiot, but I'm looking for some help with an Anritsu MD8470A cellular signalling tester. I use this to test old cellphones, especially in frequencies no longer active like GSM900.

Right now, I use a small Tescom antenna coupler held up against the back of the phone. The output signal from the Anritsu is clearly very weak by design I'm assuming for regulatory.

Putting all regulatory issues aside, is there a simple way I can boost the power output out of this? In my early RF days, I used linear amplifiers, but I don't actually know if that would work for this device, especially since a lot of the power control is managed by the phone<>device handshake. I'm not looking to light up the neighborhood, just provide the ability to get a few extra meters range instead of ~10cm...

Thanks for any tips you can provide!

[El Rubio]

Scotty, Your signature has an American flag so I assume you are in the US. GSM 900 was never used in the US. Most US phones would work because the device would have been functional if one would travel. When an older technology like GSM is phased out for newer tech like 3G, 4G, or5G, the frequencies are reused with those newer technologies. In the US, GSM900 would function where other services operate and increasing your test set’s range could infringe on their bands and cause interference. Why do you test old phones on an old technology?