Range Extending Cell Phone antenna for TC

Check out eBay... I just got a open box Wilson 460108 4g booster for $239

Moved from the TC Forum.

Wayne
Moderator

There are different versions. Be sure to get one that does all 4G. It will boost 4g, 3g and 1x. They are not magic. They will take weak signal and boost it to usable signal. I have 4 or 5 boosters. All by Wilson Electronics now called Weboost. The older Wilson branded stuff is usually cheaper than the new Weboost box.

I have a booster capable of 4 devices in the truck. Usually it powers our two smartphones. We have signal when no one else has it. I typically have enough data for Pandora. Occasionally I will turn off the booster. All cell signal goes away. If you use the booster in the city with a strong signal environment it might slow down your data.

When offroad in my Jeep I am the only person that can call, text or search Google when no one has enough signal to accomplish anything. These may work better with Verizon 3g and 1x than the AT&T 3g and 1x. 4g boost will be about the same. This has to do with the difference of CDMA vs GSM signal. I've read through some of the negative reviews. It seems some people were looking for a magic genie to create a cell tower. There are some variables in play with a booster. Ground plane? Use the center of the vehicle hood. The actual phone. Motorola and newer Samsung devices work best. It does work on Mifi, Iphones and dumbphones. Expect 1-3db stronger signal with Motorola and newer Samsung. Verizon and Sprint 3g and 1x will get the most benefit. The weather can affect cellphone signal. It's called ducting.

Weboost does make alternative antennas. These all have tradeoffs. The included 4" rubber antenna is mostly neutral with 4g, 3g and 1x. The "Better" antennas usually sacrifice one set of signal to benefit other areas. For example, the "Better" antenna may have great 4g signal while hurting 3g and 1x. Test with actual signal level. Do NOT use the amount of signal bars on your phone. This is easily fooled and can be off. Apple was in trouble a few years ago. The phone would say 5bars of signal when it was barely connecting. Always check actual signal level. Android is in the Setting/About device. Apple has a code for the dialer.

If you are way in the sticks it may take a moment to find the right area for signal. One time I had to move my camper 30ft to find enough signal to boost. I was the only person for miles with call/text. Data was not available.


Here is what I use in the towrig, prices subject to change, I did use a different reseller:

Amazon link for $369






Wilson Sleek is a single device only. Refurb is cheaper. Again, it's getting harder to find the older Wilson name. The new company name of Weboost will be easier to find.


Wilson Sleek

I asked the same question a couple months back. I found a good deal on a WEBoost (Wilson Electronics Booster) on Amazon. it was an open box item guaranteed by Amazon.

I went from 0-1 bar to 4-5 bars. Mounted mine on my house TV antenna and the internal next to the easy chair in the living room. I wrote a good review w/ pics on the weboost website. I got the 3G home one.

Ben

I don't know which one you are looking into but my Wilson works.