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Cell Booster

Yahoo Message Number: 81758
We seem to spend a lot of time in cellular challenged areas. Anyone have any results to report with a booster system with a hardwired external antenna?

Jim Coshow

2005 Inspire 51501

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81785
I asked at a Verizon store and they told me they are mostly a waste of money. You either have signal or not.

Bruce

2001 Intrigue #11278

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81790
We use a Wilson Booster and it is fantastic. Turn it off and we lose signal.. turn it on and we blast right through.
Russ

05 Intrigue 11883

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81793
FCC allows 5 watt power on cellular service, older bag style analog phones were capable of producing that power and needed to because cell sites were few. Modern cell phones control output power to conserve battery life and can only produce around 2 watts at maximum. The transmit power is controlled by the receive signal strength thus the further away the cell site is the greater signal transmitted by your phone, and the less battery life you will obtain. The Wilson amplifier will provide amplification on both received and transmitted signals for your phone. Have you ever noticed how your cell will ring in a fringe area but you cannot answer and the caller cannot hear you? This is because the cell tower that finds your phone is transmitting at 5 watts but your phone is less than 2 watts and has a much poorer antenna. Get a Wilson cell phone amp and a good antenna mounted as high as possible on your rig and you will improve your communication reliability. In areas with strong cell coverage it makes no difference, but here in Alaska with cell sites often 40 miles distant , I can use my I-Phone and my data card. Digital data will only work with multiband antenna and amplifier. The units that receive and rebroadcast cell signals are difficult to use in a motorhome. Get the type that uses a antenna pad placed in proximity to your phone place your phone in a powered cradle and bluetooth connect to use it from other locations. See the Wilson site for specifics on amplifiers. They do work.

David White 99 Allure #30349

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81795
I don't believe I have ever been anywhere that my Wilson cell signal booster didn't provide a decent Verizon signal. That includes six years ago in Rocky Mountain Nation Park. I only get it out when I otherwise have no signal.

George in Santa Fe
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81803
The Verizon person is wrong. I have Smoothtalker and a Wilson ground plane RV antenna on the roof. The Smoothtalker is the difference between calls and data or neither in remote areas that I frequent often. It will go from no bars or 1 bar to 2-4 bars. I have been using this for many years. Wilson Electronics makes them as well. Do not get a wireless one.

Rich 2002 Magna

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81811
That's an example of un-knowledgable store personnel who don't know diddly. I have a Wilson Trucker antenna with a Wilson Amplifier on it. There have been countless times when I could get NO cellphone service with my phone alone. With the outside antenna and amplifier, I usually can get 3 or 4 bars and easily use both my phone and my internet card. It has been a lifesaver for me in those situations.

Marc

Wellington, FL

2003 Beaver Monterey

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81814
We have also used the Wilson antenna booster for many years in locations where cell signals were very weak. It has worked great, but the newer phones (IPhones) don't have a jack for the cord.

DBradley

04 Intrigue #11830

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81817
Jim

I use the Wilson SOHO systems which was designed for small office situations but works reasonably well in the RV environment. It consists of a Wilson trucker antennae on the roof and is hard wired to the amplifier and then to an internal panel antennae. This creates a hot spot in the motor home which can be utilized by cell phones and wireless cards such as mi-fi.
The system is not perfect but it can significantly improve service and we have about 5 years experience with this set-up. We keep our RV in a rural part of Montana which has no cell phone coverage in the summer and about 75 percent of the time we can get out and supposedly the inconsistency is due to atmosphere and competing traffic on the tower. Also, we did find that the system does gives us slow but reliable internet coverage with our mi-fi so we will often communicate that way rather than the cell phone. There are installation issues you have to think thru and plan for the location of the external and internal antennae but Wilson technical support is very good as is Solid Signal which sells the Wilson products but for a significantly lower price. Wilson will tell you to buy elsewhere.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81823
right now I'm in Essex MT just west of East Glacier Park, MT. I am using a Wilson Sleek for my Verizon 4G Mi-Fi and it's working great!! I didn't have any connection until I hooked it up and now I have 5 bars! I was using the wi-fi at the campground until I remembered that I had the Wilson. I used to have the Verizon 3G Mi-Fi and wasn't sure the 4G new one would work.
I bought the Wilson Sleek from Walmart. It came with the car antenna and the car charger. I then ordered the desk holder and the window antenna holder.
I called Wilson because I couldn't figure out how to set up the car antenna for inside the RV and they said I needed a larger antenna and sent me one free!!! What great customer service. I have it set up with the antenna holder with suction cups on the RV window and the magnetic larger antenna sitting on it. The cord goes to the Wilson Sleek cradle holder. Easy to set up if you read the directions! LOL.
I would highly recommend the Sleek. We have used it several times for the phone and I used it for the other wi-fi hotspot.

Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

sdlivingston48@...

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81827
That's good news because I just ordered it. Your good review seems to match many other users'. I didn't order from Wilson though, so I will have to pay for the larger window antenna LOL. Thanks Lonny.

Larry, 03 Allure 30856

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81829
I didn't order from Wilson either. I just called their tech support, asked a question and they offered to send me the antenna for free!

Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81830
Barney

I ordered the Sleek 4G-V booster from wpsantenna.com for $99 and the home/office kit for $25 from solid signal. Thanks

Larry

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81834
FCC allows 5 watt power on cellular service, older bag style analog phones were capable of producing that power and needed to because cell sites were few. Modern cell phones control output power to conserve battery life and can only produce around 2 watts at maximum. The transmit power is controlled by the receive signal strength thus the further away the cell site is the greater signal transmitted by your phone, and the less battery life you will obtain. The Wilson amplifier will provide amplification on both received and transmitted signals for your phone. Have you ever noticed how your cell will ring in a fringe area but you cannot answer and the caller cannot hear you? This is because the cell tower that finds your phone is transmitting at 5 watts but your phone is less than 2 watts and has a much poorer antenna. Get a Wilson cell phone amp and a good antenna mounted as high as possible on your rig and you will improve your communication reliability. In areas with strong cell coverage it makes no difference, but here in Alaska with cell sites often 40 miles distant , I can use my I-Phone and my data card. Digital data will only work with multiband antenna and amplifier. The units that receive and rebroadcast cell signals are difficult to use in a motorhome. Get the type that uses a antenna pad placed in proximity to your phone place your phone in a powered cradle and bluetooth connect to use it from other locations. See the Wilson site for specifics on amplifiers. They do work.

David White 99 Allure #30349

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81837
Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Cell BoosterHi Diane and Lonny,
It looks as if you're staying put in Essex for a little while. Are you happy with the park you're staying in, and also, what park is it that you are in? Some day we'll be able to take the time to actually be out there for more than the few days we were a couple of years ago, so knowing about what folks think about various places is great. Thanks, and love the info on the Wilson Sleek and antenna info too.

Thanks.

Mary Frederick
06 Inspire 51784

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81840
We're staying at Glacier Meadows RV park on US 2, just west of East Glacier Park, MT.
Level, gravel, pull thrus, water/electric. Lots of grass, picnic table. They come by 3x a week to pump out your tanks and don't charge additional to do so. Mountain views all around. Weather is perfect, nice breeze outside, smells like pine trees. Only "down side" is that the nearest restaurants or grocery stores are in Browning or Columbia Falls. Not much in East Glacier Park except a restaurant and a convenience store/gas station. I would stay here again though. We don't mind driving to see the scenery. While we're out we stop for supplies. Cell service as I mentioned is weak but the Wilson Sleek works like a champ.
PS.. there is a Flying J in Columbia Falls going west from here.

Next stop is Eureka MT on the Canada border a National Forest campground with no hookups. Then Mount Kidd RV park in Kananaskis AB Canada to see Banff and Lake Louise. We're only going to stay a couple days in Canada, then come back into Idaho, Oregon, California.

So glad we came here. It's the most beautiful place we've seen.

I would like to return and stay a couple months.

We'll keep in touch
Diane & Lonny
'04 Allure #31065

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81842
It wouldn't be the first time Verizon store staff have led me astray. I'll be now making further inquiries now that I've read these posts.

Regards

Bruce 2001 Intrigue #11278

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81848
Thanks for the replies on the cell booster.
It doesn't surprise me about the Verizon store misinformation. That is exactly where I started my search and they do sell a device that is apparently too weak to be of any use.
The Wilson SOHO kit with the 'trucker' antenna sounds like the most effective solution for both voice and data up to 3G. I've ordered the materials, now comes the hard part, the installation. Any suggestions on routing of cables for an Inspire would be welcome.

Thanks,

Jim

2005 Inspire 51501

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81886
Jim

I assume you will also be using a panel antennae for the inside of your coach to create the wireless hot spot. The most critical issue is separation between the external and internal antennae and the orientation of the panel antennae in relation to the external antennae. Also, do not put the amplifier in a cabinet where it cannot get air flow. My trucker antennae is mounted on the front center of the coach with a ground plane of 12x12 flat steel caulked to the roof and the antennae comes down inside the driver's side pillar. I sit the amplifier on the floor besides the drivers seat. I then routed the cable from the amplifier behind the sofa and dining table to the rear of the slide. Now, having said that there must be a better way because I have marginal separation and the panel faces toward the roof antennae which is not optimal. I would look at putting the external antennae on the rear ladder or in the center of the rear of the coach and maybe run the cable under the coach up to the front and bring in from under the genset area to under the dash. I have been using the SOHO set for a number of years in a very challenged cell phone area but the wiring of the system in a four slide motor home is tough. Wilson tech support is very helpful and there is a guy there who seems to understand the challenges of installing the system in a RV better than others. You might just try and ask for someone in the shop is who is most experienced with RVs.
Good Luck

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81887
Dan

A somewhat better solution is to replace the omnidirectional Trucker antennae with a Yagi directional. Now you can place the internal directional much closer to the external provided they are pointing in roughly opposite direction to each other.
BTW my Wilson Trucker had built in ground planes. I guess they all do not have them.

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Dan Fahrion wrote:
Jim

I assume you will also be using a panel antennae for the inside of your coach to create the wireless hot spot. The most critical issue is separation between the external and internal antennae and the orientation of the panel antennae in relation to the external antennae. Also, do not put the amplifier in a cabinet where it cannot get air flow. My trucker antennae is mounted on the front center of the coach with a ground plane of 12x12 flat steel caulked to the roof and the antennae comes down inside the driver's side pillar. I sit the amplifier on the floor besides the drivers seat. I then routed the cable from the amplifier behind the sofa and dining table to the rear of the slide. Now, having said that there must be a better way because I have marginal separation and the panel faces toward the roof antennae which is not optimal. I would look at putting the external antennae on the rear ladder or in the center of the rear of the coach and maybe run the cable under the coach up to the front and bring in from under the genset area to under the dash. I have been using the SOHO set for a number of years in a very challenged cell phone area but the wiring of the system in a four slide motor home is tough. Wilson tech support is very helpful and there is a guy there who seems to understand the challenges of installing the system in a RV better than others. You might just try and ask for someone in the shop is who is most experienced with RVs.
Good Luck

Dan 2006 Allure 31348
 

Re: Cell Booster

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81889
Don

That could be a good solution for Jim if he is staying in a fixed location so that he is not always having to locate the nearest tower for aligning the antennae. Also, there are access codes where you can use your cell phone as a signal meter. I tried a Yagi directional antennae on a pole off of my rear ladder using those flag holder mounts but the orientation of my pad meant that my internal antennae was between the Yagi and the cell tower and that will not work

Dan 2006 Allure 31348.