Cell phone booster or hi power wifi antennae?

[jstdreamin]

I've been reading threads about cell phone boosters and David's $100 wifi solution. I know the difference in what they do. My question is of priority. My family is heavily dependent upon being connected and I will work when on the road We are part timers and will stick close to major highways and use rv parks rather than boondocking. We will be on the move more often than being in one park for long periods.

Which should we purchase first? Multi-user cell phone booster or David's wifi solution?

Is the external antennae for the cell phone booster worth the extra $$?

[docj]

Even though I work for WiFiRanger, a company that designs and sells wifi amplifiers, I will always make sure that potential customers understand that no amplifier can make an overloaded RV Park wifi system (or any other wifi) into a good one.

That being said, I suggest that if internet access is critical to your family, that your first purchase be a cellular amplifier of some kind. Even though the 4G network continues to improve, there are still places where having an amplifier and external antenna help to ensure that you have a usable 4G signal. I would also recommend that you use Verizon or AT&T because their coverage maps are significantly larger than those of the smaller carriers.

I use a simple cradle-based cellular amp, one that had been marketed as a Wilson Sleek until Wilson started calling itself "WeBoost". Even though there are more powerful amps now available I find that this one has met my needs everywhere we have needed it. I use it with a smartphone used in a hotspot mode; it can also be used with a Jetpack or similar device.

Once you have a good cellular connection you can consider improving your ability to capture wifi signals when they are available either by building a system yourself or by purchasing a system made by WiFiRanger one of its competitors.

[Technomadia]

We concur with Joel as well.. unless you know you will be at RV Parks with usable WiFi for your needs, being self sufficient for your internet needs is more prudent. And that means being setup with solutions like cellular.

With being on the move and navigating varying conditions, I'd prioritize cellular booster. It can make a huge different in your experience and can make a frustrating connectivity day more pleasant.

Since Wilson Electronics just re-branded to weBoost, there are some great close out deals on the Wilson Electronic versions going on right now.

We are tracking all of the boosters on the market in this comparison guide here:
Comparison: Mobile 4G Cellular Boosters (weBoost Drive, MAX-AMP vs SureCall) – RV Mobile Internet Resource Center

By the way, by FCC regulation, all boosters have to come with the external antenna they were approved with. So you will be getting an antenna with your purchase - and we find them more than adequate for most needs.

Have fun out there.. we also work on the road (online) and love the always changing office views.

- Cherie

[gemini5362]

There is a tremendous difference in prices between davids wifi booster and multi cell phone boosters. That is a good starting point when you look to upgrade. The second thing is what kind of cell phone. I was amazed this year when I went to a campsite I have been going to for a couple of years. Last year my wife had a iphone 4s and I had a iphone 3. I have mine set up to read signal strength in DBM's When we were at the campsite last year we had to drive out of the canyone it was in (was below a dam for a lake) until we could get a signal and then we could talk or do hotspot activities. This year we both purchased new Iphone 6s just prior to leaving for the campsite. I was amazed I could talk and get 4G lte signal at the camsite even though It was the same signal level. You might not need an expensive signal booster for your cell phone if you do not travel off the beaten path that much.

Both of the posters are correct. Most campsites are way over taxed by people that have to have netflix no matter how much it inconveniences every one else. I have a system similar to davids just different brand of equipment. There are times when being able to get a strong signal has helped with camp sites that were marginal. It was not great internet but it was usable. It is also nice that sometimes when you have a campground that makes you pay for each interenet connection you can hook up with your system and then pay once and use all your devices on the internet. It is also great being able to hook computers, printers etc together through the internal internet.

I would probably see if i needed a cell phone booster before spending the money to purchase one.

[docj]

Originally Posted by gemini5362

I would probably see if i needed a cell phone booster before spending the money to purchase one.

Although I basically agree with what you are saying, the problem with your approach is that you won't know if you need a cellular booster until you need one. And sometimes, it's not always obvious that a booster would help. For example, at our winter site there is an adequate Verizon signal, but without a booster our S4's will frequently change from 4G to 3G and back. With our Wilson Sleek, the phone in the cradle will stay locked in 4G.

I think that the Sleek is a relatively inexpensive booster that may be all that many people need today. I have no plans to buy a more powerful booster; the Sleek has met my needs anywhere I've needed it.

[jstdreamin]

thanks folks! Great advice!

[gemini5362]

Originally Posted by docj

Although I basically agree with what you are saying, the problem with your approach is that you won't know if you need a cellular booster until you need one. And sometimes, it's not always obvious that a booster would help. For example, at our winter site there is an adequate Verizon signal, but without a booster our S4's will frequently change from 4G to 3G and back. With our Wilson Sleek, the phone in the cradle will stay locked in 4G.

I think that the Sleek is a relatively inexpensive booster that may be all that many people need today. I have no plans to buy a more powerful booster; the Sleek has met my needs anywhere I've needed it.

Your correct. They are cheaper than I thought they were. I honestly did not look into the cradle mounted units. If i decide to go to a cell phone booster it will be the multiple mount unit because i believe that would fit my needs better. At that price point if that unit would work for the OP it would just be a coin toss.

I am curious about installation of the Antenna. I assume it is made for a fiberglass vehicle like a boat antenna. It will have to be mounted and then a hole drilled for the wire on a multi mount unit I believe. Is the cradle mount the same way ?

[docj]

Originally Posted by gemini5362

I am curious about installation of the Antenna. I assume it is made for a fiberglass vehicle like a boat antenna. It will have to be mounted and then a hole drilled for the wire on a multi mount unit I believe. Is the cradle mount the same way ?

Most of the Wilson antennas that I'm familiar with are magnetic mounts. On my fiberglass MH I have installed a small plate of "magnetic" stainless steel that I bought at a hardware store. I used double-sided tape meant for automotive trim to stick it to the roof. The antenna holds to it strongly enough to travel with it on the roof.

[gemini5362]

Does that work well
The issue is not mounting with a magnet mount on Fiberglas. The metal in the vehicle is part of the antenna characteristics

[docj]

Originally Posted by gemini5362

Does that work well
The issue is not mounting with a magnet mount on Fiberglas. The metal in the vehicle is part of the antenna characteristics

I'm not quite sure what you are referring to. If you are thinking of what is called the requirement for a "ground plane" that is a very misunderstood concept. All a ground plane has to be is a piece of metal which serves as a wave reflector for the antenna. At the frequencies of cell phones (700-2200 MHz), a ground plane only has to be a few inches on a side. The rest of the metal in the MH has nothing to do with the antenna or amplifier. Trust me, I'm a physicist.

If you'd like to calculate the size of a ground plane for a cellular signal you can do that here: http://www.csgnetwork.com/antennagpcalc.html

[gemini5362]

Originally Posted by docj

I'm not quite sure what you are referring to. If you are thinking of what is called the requirement for a "ground plane" that is a very misunderstood concept. All a ground plane has to be is a piece of metal which serves as a wave reflector for the antenna. At the frequencies of cell phones (700-2200 MHz), a ground plane only has to be a few inches on a side. The rest of the metal in the MH has nothing to do with the antenna or amplifier. Trust me, I'm a physicist.

If you'd like to calculate the size of a ground plane for a cellular signal you can do that here: Amateur Quarter Wave Ground Plane Antenna Calculator

Yup I was thinking of the ground plane and Yup it does not have to be nearly as big as it did during my old CB days. You answered my question nicely.
I have forgotten so much from my old days of working with Navy Fire Control equipment.

[MisterT]

We're on the web always, boys for 'fun' purposes, Dad for Business purposes(two insurance related businesses) and this was my primary concern when going full-Time last June.
I use a WiFiRanger for parks, boondocking, or anywhere there might be a 'free' signal. I've also arrived at parks that promotes free wifi, but upon arrival they hand you a coupon for a SINGLE device to sign on, such as a third party like Tengonet. The WiFiRanger then allows us to sign on and use it for our router source for all 12 of our devices.
Secondly, we use our Verizon signal, or share with our Hotspots, to use the net, though this must be monitored and used carefully since it's the most expensive option.
We've found that, for the most part, the cell signal is fine countrywide, though there will always be those areas that don't have ANY signal - such as National Parks, and far outlying rural areas.
We are currently in a nice 'owner' occupied 'rv' park, but it does not have wifi. Most of the owners are not internet users and they don't see the need to invest in the infrastructure. Since they have a park-wide cable tv system, though, I was able to contract with Windstream to setup a direct router/wifi for our site, while we are here.
We may be here for the season.