I just recently purchased the Wilson SignalBoost DT for use in my rig. For what it is worth, I got it to replace the Digital Antenna PowerMax 4KMR-30U that never really seemed to help much. Maybe it was defective from the start - hard to know.Anyway, so far I am impressed with the Wilson. I am in an area with a poor signal and it is definitely doing its job. Thing is, this Wilson has a directional antenna for outside and you are supposed to aim it toward the cell tower. I am wondering if anyone has found a reliable way to find the location of the nearest Verizon tower?I found this site called Antenna Search. I was hoping to find a mapping application that would plot the towers, but what this does is let you download a spreadsheet with info on nearby towers. It's pretty easy to copy and paste the lat/long into Google Maps and see where they are in relation to you. For the one nearest me, when I zoomed in the satelitte image the location was spot on.Anyone have a better way to locate nearby cell towers as you roam around the country? (And no, I don't mean by driving around and looking up!)UPDATE FROM OPActually, Antenna Search does EXACTLY what I was looking for - the UI just leaves a bit to be desired and you have to know where to click. I must have clicked "Download Records" and that gives you the spreadsheet. Right above it is a button that will open a window with the locations plotted on Google Maps! Cool. For example, here is the report on my current location. Still doesn't tell you which carrier uses the towers, but at least helps zero in on them.On the Wilson, you also have to be careful that the inside antenna is NOT between the outside antenna and the tower. For example, if I mount the outside antenna on the rear ladder and the cell tower is to the front of the rig - that would be a problem. So, knowing the locations before getting set up will be a big help.

Might be another way, but easiest/cheapest way would be to SLOWLY turn the directional antenna around the circle and watch the phone bar display. You will know you got it right whichever direction you get the most bars.

The repeater systems are handy since they allow you to move around inside the RV with your phone, but if you use 4G data, this & most of the currently available models don't cover the 700Mhz LTE frequencies.I have the same problem with most of the tower locating programs - since most of the space on the towers is rented by the major cell providers, it is almost impossible to identify who is where.

vermilye wrote:if you use 4G data, this & most of the currently available models don't cover the 700Mhz LTE frequencies.Yep, I can get by without 4G, but a phone that can't phone I cannot.I thought about also getting a 700 Mhz booster, but I think I can make it without it.

If you have a smart phone and it can get a connection at all.. There is an application I have on my 'drod called Network Signal Info.It will ask the tower where it is and post the response.NOTE: I have seen the towers up to a half mile from where it claims it is.

Interesting discussion!FWIW, the Wilson antenna on the roof of our RV is omnidirectional, so no turning of it can help with it picking up a stronger signal from any given tower. We have this antenna feeding a 12 volt Wilson cellular-band amplifier inside the coach.

Locating Cell Phone Towers | Good Sam Community

naturist
Nomad
Sep 07, 2013
Might be another way, but easiest/cheapest way would be to SLOWLY turn the directional antenna around the circle and watch the phone bar display. You will know you got it right whichever direction you get the most bars.
vermilye
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
The repeater systems are handy since they allow you to move around inside the RV with your phone, but if you use 4G data, this & most of the currently available models don't cover the 700Mhz LTE frequencies.

I have the same problem with most of the tower locating programs - since most of the space on the towers is rented by the major cell providers, it is almost impossible to identify who is where.
tkcas01
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
vermilye wrote:
if you use 4G data, this & most of the currently available models don't cover the 700Mhz LTE frequencies.

Yep, I can get by without 4G, but a phone that can't phone I cannot.

I thought about also getting a 700 Mhz booster, but I think I can make it without it.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Sep 08, 2013
If you have a smart phone and it can get a connection at all.. There is an application I have on my 'drod called Network Signal Info.

It will ask the tower where it is and post the response.

NOTE: I have seen the towers up to a half mile from where it claims it is.
pnichols
Explorer II
Sep 08, 2013
Interesting discussion!

FWIW, the Wilson antenna on the roof of our RV is omnidirectional, so no turning of it can help with it picking up a stronger signal from any given tower. We have this antenna feeding a 12 volt Wilson cellular-band amplifier inside the coach.
tkcas01
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
pnichols wrote:
Interesting discussion!

FWIW, the Wilson antenna on the roof of our RV is omnidirectional, so no turning of it can help with it picking up a stronger signal from any given tower.

Sorry, that is incorrect for the model I have. Please see the link in the original post and you will see indeed that it is a directional antenna. Believe me - I have the manual! You point it toward the tower.
tvman44
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
Wilson offers both directional and omni-directional antennas. :)
AllegroD
Nomad
Sep 09, 2013
.
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
You can get a signal meter that updates immediately as you move the antenna. It has a little stubby on top that you can use if you don't attach a cable. Mine doesn't do 4G, but mostly voice and 3G is needed. It was about $200 a while back.

Here's another tip. Make sure you have a ground plane and vertical separation between inside and outside antennas! A diagonal separation seems to work best (outside antenna on top and not above your inside repeater)

If you are trying to use your phone as a tester for signal strength, keep in mind they don't update signal levels constantly.

Directional antennas need to be 1) Pointed in the right direction, 2) Rotated properly, and 3) Horizontally aligned.

Granted, you likely are not using a 3' directional, so it won't be quite as sensitive ;) The panels are easier than yagi's.
camperpaul
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
tkcas01 wrote:

I found this site called Antenna Search

UPDATE FROM OP

Actually, Antenna Search does EXACTLY what I was looking for - the UI just leaves a bit to be desired and you have to know where to click. I must have clicked "Download Records" and that gives you the spreadsheet. Right above it is a button that will open a window with the locations plotted on Google Maps! Cool.

For example, here is the report on my current location. Still doesn't tell you which carrier uses the towers, but at least helps zero in on them.

Not all of the towers are cell phone towers. Example

Some of the towers in the example are TV antenna towers at private homes.

Most of the cell towers do not have antennas aimed into the state park so coverage is spotty at best on the beach and in most of the campground.

Forum Discussion

Locating Cell Phone Towers

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Fuse panel locate

Tow Tower

cell phone

First time tower - multiple questions

Quartzsite solar tower