Locating Cell Phone Towers
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
