Cellular Amplifier & Antennae

[johninedmonton]

Hi guys and gals;

I'm looking at cellular amplifiers, and the installation process. Specifically, I want reliable and fast LTE internet so that we can home-school/cyber-school our kids on the road.

I think I've identified the amplifier I want:

http://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/wilson-dt4g-dt-4g-desktop-amplifier-kit-4g-lte-aws-3g-2g-all-us-carriers-460101

Now for the installation. I'm no electrician. Far from it. So this is uncharted territory for me! Any suggestions?

Also, I'd like to create some sort of a telescoping pole for the antenna. I've heard that you get a much clearer signal if you can get the antenna up high. The higher the better. So does anyone have any suggestions on how to create a telescoping antenna?

And finally, do you have any experience with cellular amplifiers?

[RoyB]

We use our secure Verizon MIFI 2200 sitting in a WILSON SLEEK CRADLE with external passive antenna setup and it works like gang busters for us. We can use this with 5 WIFI enabled devices inside and outside our trailer setup.

The problem is all of the carriers have different takes on the GB data plans. We get by just fine with our 3GB DATAPLAN but it is just two of us checking emails, paying some bills, chatting with family etc. With the kids you would want a minimum of 20GBs I would think. Then who knows how much GBs you will need if you start downstreaming things... ALot of folks really liked the now defunct Millennium setups... The VERIZON carrier is the best for all over the US and you hear alot of folks still using the VERIZON JET PACK plans.

Roy Ken

[pauldub]

I use an extendable paint roller pole for my cellular antenna mast and I use a wilson directional antenna with it.

[WilsonAmp]

hey, if you want to find out which version will suit best goto http://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/help-me-decide/ or call our Houston Based customer service team.

Thanks

johninedmonton wrote:

moreroad wrote:
I believe, after reading the posts, that I can jump in here with a question about Wilson's kits.

I am looking at the 460102-t kit to improve my 1 bar cell reception while on the road and in camp. They tell me "The coverage area is from the inside antenna, not the amplifier. This unit can typically rebroadcast the boosted signal between 2 and 5 feet from the antenna. This distance is dependent on the existing signal outside.
"

They also say they have nothing to offer to extend that distance.

So I have me, my son and wife who all have to put their heads around the antenna to use the kit? Sometimes we work online for 6 hours at a time and I believe we are going to get tired of each other faster then being on the road together for 3 weeks does.

Anyways am I missing something here besides knowledge?

You may want to try a different kit. I have the 460101, and I get good coverage throughout my entire TT.

[WilsonAmp]

Hey! My name is James, I work for Wilsonamplifiers.com. We have cell phone signal boosters for any situation. If you need any help, just email me at james@wilsonamplifiers.com. I'd be glad to help.

[RoadXYZ]

The Trucker's version works excellently for us .. here at our home base things have changed and without the Wilson Booster, we would be tearing our hair out !

Worth every penny! Thank you folks for your words and sharing .. Shalom.

[johninedmonton]

moreroad wrote:
I believe, after reading the posts, that I can jump in here with a question about Wilson's kits.

I am looking at the 460102-t kit to improve my 1 bar cell reception while on the road and in camp. They tell me "The coverage area is from the inside antenna, not the amplifier. This unit can typically rebroadcast the boosted signal between 2 and 5 feet from the antenna. This distance is dependent on the existing signal outside.
"

They also say they have nothing to offer to extend that distance.

So I have me, my son and wife who all have to put their heads around the antenna to use the kit? Sometimes we work online for 6 hours at a time and I believe we are going to get tired of each other faster then being on the road together for 3 weeks does.

Anyways am I missing something here besides knowledge?

You may want to try a different kit. I have the 460101, and I get good coverage throughout my entire TT.

[moreroad]

I believe, after reading the posts, that I can jump in here with a question about Wilson's kits.

I am looking at the 460102-t kit to improve my 1 bar cell reception while on the road and in camp. They tell me "The coverage area is from the inside antenna, not the amplifier. This unit can typically rebroadcast the boosted signal between 2 and 5 feet from the antenna. This distance is dependent on the existing signal outside.
"

They also say they have nothing to offer to extend that distance.

So I have me, my son and wife who all have to put their heads around the antenna to use the kit? Sometimes we work online for 6 hours at a time and I believe we are going to get tired of each other faster then being on the road together for 3 weeks does.

Anyways am I missing something here besides knowledge?

[Crabbypatty]

I bought the wilson with the candy bar antenna and it doesnt realy pick up well in the TT. I put the wilson trucker antenna up on the bat wing. In looking at it again, for inside the TT which is different than the TV, I would buy the booster that they make for the house as it would pick up the signal better. Ill be selling my wilson amp on ebay as they told me it would work with another antenna other than the candybar.

[tahiti16]

CA Traveler wrote:
The Flag Pole Buddy mount makes a very easy to use setup. Rotate the pole to aim the antenna. Some tape can snug up the pole if it does rotate in the wind. There are phone apps that will locate cell towers to help aim the antenna.

The kit you are looking at is NOT designed for mobile use - ie in motion.
1. It will overload when near a cell tower.
2. You are looking at a directional antenna.

But using a second non directional antenna for mobile use will mostly work until you get to close to a tower. And you might find that it will often work when you park so that the directional antenna is not needed and hence no antenna setup. Given what you have posted about your requirements I'd have both antennas.

Have you asked Wilson about a higher gain yagi (directional) type antenna?

Make sure you pay close attention to the directions for the antennae, things like spacing between it and the internal antennae and that if directional do not point it towards the internal antennae. I use the trucker Omni directional mounted to the ladder with the amp on the inside of the rear wall. Looking at getting a second antennae that I can put on a pole to get it up so more in real bad areas.

[johninedmonton]

So I had the Wilson Amplifier out this past weekend. I saw a significant increase in signal strength, and much better reception.
Without the system turned on I was lucky to get 3G signal, and a weak signal at that. With it turned on I got strong 3G, and even weak LTE at times. I was able to run netflix on my ipad, and speed tests came in at reasonable speeds.

A WIN!

[RoadXYZ]

We ordered the Wilson 3G Kit for Vehicle (#801212), and will be picking it up tomorrow. Have the flag bracket for the painter's pole, extra RG 58U low loss foam coax cable, as well as a dual band mirror mount trucker's antenna .. will be mounting the antenna per "crcr" posting on 4/25 albeit with only the painter's pole (no add'tl heightening).

Hubby will be working on it tomorrow .. will let you when we get it all together and hoping it works well .. we are at Umpqua Lighthouse Campground near Reedsport, Oregon.

[Dutch_12078]

johninedmonton wrote:

Sturgeon-Phish wrote:
What if you attached the booster antenna to the TV antenna? In the full up position you are at 16' I'd say.

Interesting idea. Ill look into it. I am thinking of putting it on a pole attached to the ladder at the back of the trailer. The satellite hookup is right there. I'm thinking of hooking up the antenna to that port. Inside I'll hook up the amplifier to the satellite port behind the tv, power it, and run the antenna from the mantle next to it.

I think it'll work! Holy crap!

Using the satellite connection, expect some signal loss from the cable impedance mismatch. Satellite uses 75 ohm cable, but the cell antenna uses 50 ohm cable.

[johninedmonton]

Sturgeon-Phish wrote:
What if you attached the booster antenna to the TV antenna? In the full up position you are at 16' I'd say.

Interesting idea. Ill look into it. I am thinking of putting it on a pole attached to the ladder at the back of the trailer. The satellite hookup is right there. I'm thinking of hooking up the antenna to that port. Inside I'll hook up the amplifier to the satellite port behind the tv, power it, and run the antenna from the mantle next to it.

I think it'll work! Holy crap!

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Also, several have commented about the Wilso Sleek; I looked and there are several models. Which one do you guys use?
Thanks
Jim