Extending cellular coverage

[UK4X4]

if you've installed 450- any idea on how to locate the best signal strength direction ?

as I think its my direction thats messing up the signal

ie its sort of right- but not exact

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Get the 3W Wilson as long as it has the blue box it'll be good.

 

[loren85022]

We used on our Utah/Colorado trip. We own ATT phones which suck a lot and suck just a lil less with the Wilson. As a test, we took along a Verizon phone. Probably 6 yrs old. It became almost a comedy to see no bars on ours and 2-3 on the V. We'd flip the Wilson and see none again on ours and 4-5 on the old V. Good product. I wish the internal antenna broadcast a tad further.


Sent from my iToaster

 

[4x4x4doors]

I wish the internal antenna broadcast a tad further.


Sent from my iToaster

What kind of range did you reliably see on the internal antenna?

 

[98roamer]

if you've installed 450- any idea on how to locate the best signal strength direction ?

as I think its my direction thats messing up the signal

ie its sort of right- but not exact

Unfortunately, no. Our custom case doesn't give us any ability to do direction so we use a laird technologies antenna so help with that issue.

 

[maXTERRA]

I swear by the wilson boosters. I work for the park service so I run into bad service everywhere. I have a home booster and a mobile booster for my car. I dont have any first hand experience with the mobile wireless booster but im sure its as good as the rest. I have read the mobile wireless boosters you have to be with in a foot or so of the internal antenna for it to work. since the antenna are so close they couldn't make the internal antenna to powerful or it would react with the roof antenna.

Ive got this one for my car, I just put the phone in the cradle and my bars go up .

http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electr...id=1372653696&sr=8-11&keywords=wilson+booster


added bonus, the customer service is amazing. my booster died after owning it for a year(I think I killed it by mistake). One email to the warranty department and they replaced my unit free of charge.

Got the very same unit and love it.
Still need a SAT phone someday for just ion case, but my SPOT gives me peace of mind.
Speaking of which, SPOT has a new phone out now.

 

[PHXtaco]

We have a Wilson 801212 (http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electr..._1_9?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1374383190&sr=1-9 ) in the "expedition" truck. I found the internal antenna lacking too (which I don't mind as I would rather keep the radiation down) and purchased a Wilson 301146 internal cradle internal (http://www.amazon.com/WILSON-ELECTR..._66?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1374383732&sr=1-66 ) and have been very please with the setup. On our Verision phones it usually adds 2 or 3 bars. Been really pleased with the unit.

I then purchased a Wilson 811214 (http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electr..._24?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1374383995&sr=1-24 ) for the wife's car and fell it does not work as well as the 801201. It also has a different internal antenna cradle that does not seem to hold the phone as well.

 

[Off Duty]

Keep in mind that feb 2013 FCC make cell phone boosters illegal. New model now require approval from cell companies.
Check with your carriers and make sure the model your using is legal to use and acceptable to your carrier.

:coffeedrink:I'll try to keep that in mind

Since it would only be used for a SHTF/remote emergency, and only occasional remote signal boost, and since it's "mobile", I'm not all that concerned with what the FCC or my cell carrier finds acceptable.
If SPRINT has coverage/signal worth a ********, probably wouldn't have to worry about it in the first 10 places (LOL).

And if it saves my *** (which the feds are certainly not concerned about doing), I'll worry about them later:sombrero:

No problem, I'll do that just as soon as I finish registering all my guns with the Sheriff.

Right behind you in line:sombrero:

The Wilson's work great but a Ham Radio blows them out of the water. I have both, just sayin

Agreed.

Got the very same unit and love it.
Still need a SAT phone someday for just ion case, but my SPOT gives me peace of mind.
Speaking of which, SPOT has a new phone out now.

When I travel, depending upon on the type/location/mode of travel, I carry a cell (or 2-different carriers), a CB (mobile or hand held), and a SAT Px.
SPOT is next on the list of "gadgets" to get!

 

[loren85022]

I roll with 2way and spot too. Cellular connection improves the family outcome


Sent from my iToaster

 

[npmako]

I work for a Wilson Installer. Their products are are top notch. Most of all, their manufacturing/sales/service are
all based out of Saint George Utah. Great company to deal with in that the sales reps are also knowledgeable tech support.
In regard to the boosters being illegal, the wilson products are FCC approved. Everytime ive requested an out of the box solution, they typically have a product waiting for fcc approval. Then 6mo-a year down the road it becomes available.
I definitely agree with it not comparing to ham for local comms though. It doesnt matter if youre a mile apart if the nearest tower is 20 miles away.

 

[BritKLR]

Also good info, but dated. Thx

 

[BobsCreek]

I use one Wilson at home and one is mounted in my truck. I don't remember the models off hand, they are older ones.

Love em!

(And now I see that this post was just bumped from the grave...oh well.. Wilson works)