Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > RV SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES FORUMS > Technology: Internet, TV, Satellite, Cell Phones, etc.
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-27-2022, 06:58 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Unicorn Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
Anyone using a cell phone signal booster?

Hi,

Where I live I have brutal cell signal due to trees. If I go a few hundred yards down the road to a field I get blazing fast speeds.

Would a cell phone booster on a pole work in this situation?

Thanks,
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
Unicorn Driver is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 09-27-2022, 07:10 PM   #2
Member
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 98
The short answer is yes. But and there is always a but for best results you will need to get the receiving antenna up high enough. Also you will need to aim your antenna towards the transmitting tower. And lastly make sure what you are buying is compatible with the band your phone(s) are on.
We have a We Boost on our RV and having been thinking about adding one for the home. Great reception outside,poor reception in the home. When we built the home we added additional foil backed foam board that kills the service inside. My home office is below grade and the single is poor at best. I normally switch to Airplane Mode at home for reliable calling. Only problem is when I go out I forget to switch off the airplane mode until I need to make a call.
Sparky19053 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2022, 07:38 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Unicorn Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
Thanks Sparky, our cell service gets a small bit better in winter. Every coverage maps has us at 4 or 5 bars.

I estimate I would need at least a 40ft pole on the roof. Maybe need to do a survey with drone :-)
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
Unicorn Driver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2022, 08:11 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Posts: 5,081
A MIMO antennae on a 40 foot tower would probably provide the same blazing speed you get down the road out in the open. Trees decrease the signal like walls and the ground.

An iPhone usually has 4 antennae inside. Each antennae can connect and communicate with the cell tower. A "Cell Booster" has one antennae. These devices work well in weak areas. The pull in the tower at long distance. The booster rebroadcasts the cell signal inside your home.

A MIMO array of 4 antennae can use adequate signals but boost data throughput by connecting to 4 channels on the cell tower. The MIMO array would be connected to a router and provide WiFi inside your home. A phone that can place WiFi calls is required.
__________________
Paul Bristol
Kodiak Cub 176RD
Nissan Pathfinder 2015
Persistent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2022, 08:17 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 443
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver View Post
Hi,

Where I live I have brutal cell signal due to trees. If I go a few hundred yards down the road to a field I get blazing fast speeds.

Would a cell phone booster on a pole work in this situation?

Thanks,

Would encourage you to go to the Mobile Internet Resource Center which provides a 'bunch' of information related to all things to enhance internet service. The have a section related to cell boosters.
My experience with a cell signal booster was not what I expected. In fairness to the product, I did no really understand what they were supposed to do. It was the wrong solution for me.
https://www.rvmobileinternet.com




lemodrop9344 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2022, 08:20 AM   #6
Community Moderator


 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,186
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparky19053 View Post
I normally switch to Airplane Mode at home for reliable calling. Only problem is when I go out I forget to switch off the airplane mode until I need to make a call.

How can a phone call be made in airplane mode? It shuts down cellular and WiFi transmission on the phone.
pasdad1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2022, 08:36 AM   #7
Junior Member
 
ShockSLL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 6
Yes, I have one installed on my TT and it can't perform miracles but it does seem to help out enough when on the edge of coverage. Here's a video I made about ours: https://youtu.be/vf_8aFWVuSE
__________________
Steve Lineberry - Based out of Charlotte, NC
2021 Casita Heritage Deluxe 17' with 400w solar, 200AH LFP and 2000W Inverter
ShockSLL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2022, 09:20 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Unicorn Driver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 7,494
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShockSLL View Post
Yes, I have one installed on my TT and it can't perform miracles but it does seem to help out enough when on the edge of coverage. Here's a video I made about ours: https://youtu.be/vf_8aFWVuSE
Great video and lovely Casita :-)

Thinking about it now probaly need one for my rv also :-)
__________________
2008 Phoenix Cruiser 3100
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara JKU.
Unicorn Driver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2022, 01:23 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
ShockSLL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver View Post
Great video and lovely Casita :-)

Thinking about it now probaly need one for my rv also :-)
Thanks! Yes, RV for sure!
__________________
Steve Lineberry - Based out of Charlotte, NC
2021 Casita Heritage Deluxe 17' with 400w solar, 200AH LFP and 2000W Inverter
ShockSLL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2022, 07:30 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
docj's Avatar
Official iRV2 Sponsor
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 8,305
Quote:
Originally Posted by pasdad1 View Post
How can a phone call be made in airplane mode? It shuts down cellular and WiFi transmission on the phone.
Although airplane mode will automatically disable both cellular and WiFi, on both Android and iPhones it is possible to re-enable WiFi without changing cellular. For example, you might want to do that while on an airplane if you want to access in-flight WiFi.

Once you have re-enabled WiFi your phone will be capable of making WiFi calls (if you have enabled that feature).
__________________
Joel (AKA docj)--
RV Technology Specialist
docj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2022, 07:39 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Jake21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,288
Quote:
Originally Posted by pasdad1 View Post
How can a phone call be made in airplane mode? It shuts down cellular and WiFi transmission on the phone.


On my iPhone and iPad airplane mode only shuts off cellular, not wifi.
Jake21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2022, 10:32 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
docj's Avatar
Official iRV2 Sponsor
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 8,305
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake21 View Post
On my iPhone and iPad airplane mode only shuts off cellular, not wifi.
Yes, you are correct; on an Android it disables both.
__________________
Joel (AKA docj)--
RV Technology Specialist
docj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2022, 10:44 AM   #13
Member
 
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 43
I have the Drive Sleek for the TV and the OTR for the TT.
They are invaluable sometimes and worthless sometimes.
I would recommend them either way! If you get a last year unit that will save you money.
Sammicic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2022, 05:51 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Johninar's Avatar
 
Spartan Chassis
RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: central Florida, Lake Ashton RV community
Posts: 570
This has worked for me. I have gone from no service to 4 bars. And I have gone from no service to you guessed it, no service
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_1231.jpg
Views:	29
Size:	803.3 KB
ID:	377799  
__________________
2008 Fleetwood Excursion 40X Sold
2015 GMC Canyon Crew Cab LB Toad
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4369 (Spartan)
Johninar is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
phone



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
cell phone signal booster rvhotrod Technology: Internet, TV, Satellite, Cell Phones, etc. 8 08-28-2015 03:05 AM
StraightTalk cell phone cell phone and service traveldogs Technology: Internet, TV, Satellite, Cell Phones, etc. 15 06-21-2014 10:28 AM
Cell phone signal booster? okmunky Technology: Internet, TV, Satellite, Cell Phones, etc. 10 10-14-2012 03:31 PM
Cell phone signal booster Doggievet Technology: Internet, TV, Satellite, Cell Phones, etc. 1 06-25-2005 08:29 AM
RV Today Cell Phone Signal Booster DonavonP Technology: Internet, TV, Satellite, Cell Phones, etc. 26 06-04-2005 06:18 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:31 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.