Cellular Antenna - What's Best?

Dreamscape · June 20, 2009, 05:30:45 AM

I have been studying how to get a good signal inside our bus using our cell phones. I do not want to be wired, need wireless. I searched and found some old threads on the subject, but wanted newer information. I have checked the Wilson site and want to know if there is a way that is less costly. I saw a site that used a Wilson RV/Trucker antenna, with booster and wireless antenna inside to catch the signal from the roof top antenna. Can I get by with just the antenna and window mount? As you know we are full timing, stationary most of the time. I would like to get a better signal inside to stop or lessen the dropped calls for lack of strong signal. I know the signal gets lost due to living in a tin can.

http://rv.mactom.com/systems/cellphoneamp

Another link I found,

http://www.getreception.com/index.php?newsid=36

What do you use and why?

Thanks,

Paul

wrench · June 20, 2009, 05:56:30 AM

Check those guys, I know they got it, depend which network you're on.
wrench

bobofthenorth · June 20, 2009, 06:21:00 AM

We bought a Wilson booster last winter Paul, on the reccomendation of an Escapees friend. I have nothing but good to say about it. We just have the external amp with a wired connection to the phone. Where we are right now we have marginal coverage outside the rig and an unuseable connection inside the rig without the booster. With the booster we are well connected.

Dreamscape · June 20, 2009, 06:29:08 AM

Quote from: wrench on June 20, 2009, 05:56:30 AM
Check those guys, I know they got it, depend which network you're on.
wrench

We have ATT, which is those guys?

Bob, I'm hoping we don't need a booster right now, they're pricey. If we can't get by without one, then we'll do it.

Thanks,

Paul

wrench · June 20, 2009, 11:14:18 AM

Quote from: Dreamscape on June 20, 2009, 06:29:08 AM
Quote from: wrench on June 20, 2009, 05:56:30 AM
Check those guys, I know they got it, depend which network you're on.
wrench

We have ATT, which is those guys?
HA boy!!! Not funny when you're a kid!!! forgot the link :
https://3gstore.com/
They may have a wireless router/booster, they're more in the Sprint / Verizon hardware I think.
wrench

Bob, I'm hoping we don't need a booster right now, they're pricey. If we can't get by without one, then we'll do it.

Thanks,

Paul

JackConrad · June 20, 2009, 12:51:49 PM

Paul,
Check out the 3G store. http://3Gstore.com We have had good luck with the products we have purchased from them and they have excellent tech support (as long as you purchased the product from them). There website has many pages of FAQs and reveiws, so you can make an informed decision when purchasing. We are using a Wilson roof mount antenna (I do not remember the model #) and a CTR 500 wireless router with our Millelicom air card ardwired into the wireless router, as I write this. We have not added cell phone capability, I think this requires an amplifier. Jack

Dreamscape · June 20, 2009, 01:30:38 PM

Thanks All,

I have studied and read all I can today. It was hot outside anyway, so a good time to catch up on research. I have read the Wilson and 3 G store site and have come to the conclusion that they have the only system that really works. I was just hoping for a less expensive fix, not gonna happen with what we need to do. I just figure to get the best fix you need to buy the best fix.

I'll get the RV/Trucker antenna, amplifier, indoor antenna kit and be done with it.

Here is one source, and believe me there are many. Not sure if I'll buy here though, just an example.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320378454147&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

Thanks again,

Paul

bobofthenorth · June 20, 2009, 04:34:25 PM

This is the one we got, along with the amp that shows at the bottom of the page. It looked like it was going to get complicated to have the 2nd antenna inside the rig and it definitely was going to get a lot more expensive. I believe if you have the 2nd antenna you have to have the 2 antennas separated by some magic distance. Its hard to find anybody who actually knows anything about these systems. Not hard to find somebody selling them but REALLY hard to find anybody who is actually knowledgeable. The amp we bought came with a flat panel antenna that velcros to the back of either of our cell phones. I thought that would be a PITA but it has worked out really well.