The Challenge

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) continues to invest in technology that improves critical communication functions for daily business processes, visitor experience, and emergency response throughout its park system. 

Several parks experience persistent coverage gaps at ground level, resulting in:

• Poor operational communication between staff
• Inability for visitors to reliably access DCR’s mobile parking systems
• Reduced effectiveness of emergency and safety operations
• Visitor frustration when attempting calls, texts, or digital payments

Due to ongoing growth in park attendance, multiple emergency incidents in recent years, and heightened expectations for digital accessibility, DCR has prioritized infrastructure improvements related to wireless connectivity.
JDTECK previously implemented booster systems at Horseneck Beach and Walden Pond with strong success. Following those results, DCR expanded the project to include College Pond and Fearing Pond, two high-use day areas within Myles Standish State Forest that exhibit significant communications challenges.

The primary goal is to improve multi-carrier cellular coverage in parking areas and adjacent day-use zones across four park sites. Enhanced coverage supports the following:

• Reliable access to DCR’s Yodel parking app
• Improved daily operational communications between staff
• Increased safety and emergency response capability
• Reduced visitor wait times at pay stations
• A more streamlined, technology-enabled visitor experience

Each site required a custom RF plan based on geography, vegetation density, elevation changes, available donor signal strength, and local infrastructure.

Our Approach

RF site surveys were conducted at multiple state park locations to analyze carrier-specific signal performance and identify viable donor-signal candidates for cellular boosting. Sites including Walden Pond, Horseneck Beach, College Pond, and Fearing Pond—were determined to have sufficient multi-carrier signal (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) at elevated heights (25–60 feet above ground) to justify implementation of multi-signal cellular boosting systems.

Throughput speeds as well as performance metrics were captured using a bucket truck, to identify and verify suitable donor and service pole placements. Topographical maps were then used to overlay the engineered plans that account for the required isolation needed to avoid oscillation, were presented for review and acceptance with the appropriate approval teams. 

JDTECK’s multi-cellular boosting system uses a donor pole to capture available carrier signals, a service pole to distribute the amplified signal, and a repeater mounted near the base of the service pole. A coax cable run—either aerial or through buried conduit—connects donor and service poles. Antennas mounted at the top of each pole manage directional signal propagation.

A typical installation includes:

• One donor pole (30–60 feet, depending on required height to acquire clean donor signal)
• One service pole (approximately 25–30 feet for distribution)
• Optional intermediary poles where aerial cable support is required
• Weather-sealed booster and power enclosures
• Directional donor antennas to capture incoming carrier signals
• Directional service antennas to send the amplified signal into the coverage area

Variables such as vegetation, terrain, elevation gradients, and existing obstructions result in differing signal propagation footprints across each site.

Walden Pond was faced with a unique challenge where the donor signals would disappear on days that were overcast. To ensure reliable connectivity to this park at all times, JDTECK engineered a solution where the donor signal would be backhauled via some eFemto radios. Multiple CASA units were mated together into a single custom-built enclosure in order to increase user capacity.  

The Results

JDTECK’s multi-signal booster installations across Walden Pond, Horseneck Beach, College Pond, and Fearing Pond has significantly improved operational communications, enhanced visitor experience, and increase staff responsiveness during emergency situations. Each site plan is tailored to the local topology, vegetation density, existing infrastructure constraints, and environmental requirements, providing a sustainable connectivity solution across four of Massachusetts’ most visited outdoor recreation areas.

Walden Pond in particular, now benefits from full bars 4G LTE service across the park with throughput speeds ranging between 38-73 MBPS. At one point after system commissioning, JDTECK working with Verizon engineering was requested to reduce the transmit power because Verizon users were benefiting from service several miles down the road, way beyond the parameters of the park itself. Needless to say, the state has been extremely pleased with the performance and reliability of this outdoor DAS engineered, deployed and managed by JDTECK.