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Topic ClosedHas anyone installed a cellular booster?
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TheBum View Drop Down
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Posts: 1407 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Has anyone installed a cellular booster?
    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
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2735 		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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Posts: 1407 		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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NAP1947 View Drop Down
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Posts: 72 		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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Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
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Posts: 1014 		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.
Byways no Highways
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Posts: 2735 		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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TheBum View Drop Down
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Posts: 1407 		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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Posts: 72 		Direct Link To This Post 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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2018 RP179
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Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
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Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 2018 at 4:44pm
Originally posted by TheBum

I should be able to test it in less than a week. I'll be in an area with traditionally weak cell service. I don't plan to install it permanently for this test so that I can return it if I don't get significant improvement.

It should be possible to retrofit a directional antenna if nothing else.

As with everyone else... I'll be very curious as to the results!

I have to believe, any antenna, as to being specific, has to be better than what's on the phone/router. To that, hanging my cell phone on a 20ft pole would probably increase signal. Just a little tough to answer a call... LOL. Yet I think you get what I mean.

Looking forward to your post.
Byways no Highways
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TheBum View Drop Down
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Posts: 1407 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 2018 at 4:04pm
I should be able to test it in less than a week. I'll be in an area with traditionally weak cell service. I don't plan to install it permanently for this test so that I can return it if I don't get significant improvement.

It should be possible to retrofit a directional antenna if nothing else.
Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
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