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Topic ClosedHas anyone installed a cellular booster?

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NAP1947 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Has anyone installed a cellular booster?
    Posted: 30 Mar 2018 at 9:10am
In answer to your mounting question, I had a heavy duty suction mount from my original Sirius radio, it is about4” across and Mr T could not break the suction.  I have an extendable rod from Lowe’s which is meant for removing lights from ceiling fixtures without a ladder.  I used a SS hose clamp with a wing nut for tightening to clamp the pole to the mount.  I have tried it at home with a Yagi directional antenna and find I can fine tune the direction by turning the pole before I tighten the clamp.  Remains to be seen how it will work on the Pod but the slide sides are smooth and should hold the mount, cable can go through the rubber seal so no holes.
We get the Pod in late April early May and will let you know how this works.
Susan and Norm
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 2018 at 10:30am
I found a Yagi antenna on Amazon for $30.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XH92RQV/

I'm planning to use this for mounting the antenna:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003D1QPHK/

I'll do tests with the Omni and the Yagi. If it turns out that the Yagi is a lot better, then I'll have to see if I can rig up a stepper motor on it to aim it so that I don't have to climb a ladder each time; I could point it rearward for travel.
Alan
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 2018 at 11:20am
Originally posted by TheBum

I found a Yagi antenna on Amazon for $30.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XH92RQV/

I'm planning to use this for mounting the antenna:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003D1QPHK/

I'll do tests with the Omni and the Yagi. If it turns out that the Yagi is a lot better, then I'll have to see if I can rig up a stepper motor on it to aim it so that I don't have to climb a ladder each time; I could point it rearward for travel.
That yagi has 11 dB gain, so should be 5-10 times stronger than an omni, which typically have anywhere from unity (0 dB) to 3 dB gain. The advantage of the omni is that you don't need to know where the cell site is; the yagi HAS to be aimed at the cell site, or it will be worse than the omni.
bp
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 4:38pm
Originally posted by TheBum

I found a Yagi antenna on Amazon for $30.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XH92RQV/

I'm planning to use this for mounting the antenna:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003D1QPHK/

I'll do tests with the Omni and the Yagi. If it turns out that the Yagi is a lot better, then I'll have to see if I can rig up a stepper motor on it to aim it so that I don't have to climb a ladder each time; I could point it rearward for travel.

That is the one I've been looking at. Singularly directional. It's what I like about it. Focus's one one thing only. What I've read so far leads me towards it.


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NAP1947 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 8:19am
Google “TechnoRV” and look at their mounting system, similar but better than mine.
Susan and Norm
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2018 at 11:05am
Originally posted by NAP1947

Google “TechnoRV” and look at their mounting system, similar but better than mine.


That suction cup mount is intriguing. I suspect it would stick pretty nicely to the smooth sides of the Pod and would be easily removable for travel.

https://www.technorv.com/suction-cup-antenna-mount/

I'd be a little concerned about rain leaks when feeding the cable through the seals, unless it came out the bottom of the slide. I'l have to take a look at the seals more closely.
Alan
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2018 at 1:57pm
Just my opinion is that you will be much better with (A) a femtocell, or (B)WiFi calling. Both of these solutions require that you have an internet connection and/or decent WiFi service. These bypass the poor cell service entirely, and end up doing what amounts to VoIP.
bp
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2018 at 2:48pm
Originally posted by GlueGuy

Just my opinion is that you will be much better with (A) a femtocell, or (B)WiFi calling. Both of these solutions require that you have an internet connection and/or decent WiFi service. These bypass the poor cell service entirely, and end up doing what amounts to VoIP.


There is no wifi in a lot of the places I go. Cellular is my only link.
Alan
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2018 at 4:10pm
Anything further on this? How'd the testing go?

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2018 at 7:00am
I took the plunge as well. Picked this up.


Price looked good! Really I was after the booster module, but at that price... What the hey.
I did buy a better antenna (both inside and out). The antenna I bought has better frequency range. Puts me right around $150 all in.

I'll update from the road as I get it setup and running.

Please. Don't just buy this because someone else did. Check you carrier's frequency's and see what you require. One nice thing about this booster is it has adjustable gain. Important from what I've been reading.


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