RV cell phone boosters recommendations

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RV cell phone boosters recommendations

February 15, 2021, 01:55:01 pm

I am planning to add a cell phone booster in our rear bath and would like to have any recommendations based on personal use. In the past I have always used the Wilson (now WeBoost) brand both at home and in the motorhome. I was just curious to find if there were better alternatives out there. I do plan on using an omni directional antenna outside because I don't want to be bothered manually looking for a tower when stopped. If there is no signal available, then so be it.

Re: RV cell phone boosters recommendations

Reply #1 – February 15, 2021, 02:18:09 pm

Mike,

Last September I purchase the Sure Call Fusion 2Go 3.0 RV for our trip to Yellowstone knowing that cell reception is sketchy in the park. Unfortunately, the unit I received was shipped with the incorrect coax antenna cable to take advantage of the omnidirectional antenna.

I contacted customer service and a new omnidirectional antenna and the correct coax was waiting for me when I arrived back home.

The Sure Call system had several positive reviews from Long Long Honeymoon and I’m Not Lost I’m RVing. https://youtu.be/o1j5A8bVRoE

https://youtu.be/G29X1BNqIpM

Looks promising. I mounted my antenna on my TV mast to raise it above the roof line. Cell signal here in town is too powerful and interferes with the Sure Call so I haven’t had a chance to test it properly.

Hope it works as well as it’s be touted. Jalama Beach would certainly put it to the test.

Kent

Re: RV cell phone boosters recommendations

Reply #2 – February 15, 2021, 02:39:56 pm

Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - February 15, 2021, 02:18:09 pm

Hope it works as well as it’s be touted. Jalama Beach would certainly put it to the test.

You will be very disappointed in the non-existent cell signal at Jalama.
The good news is the park supplies limited WiFi, it is slow, does not permit streaming, texting, or phone calls but is fine for email and limited surfing.

Our Wilson amp, with a telescoping directional antenna and high-grade cabling, has done a decent job for many years.
In moderate signal areas, the antenna does not need to be raised.
With the antenna raised and rotated, looking for the strongest signal, it picked up no usable cell signal at Jalama, as of early December 2020.
Here are photos of the original cell antenna system I built for Andy's Skylark.
Directional cellular antenna | Flickr

Larry

Re: RV cell phone boosters recommendations

Reply #3 – February 15, 2021, 03:56:53 pm

We have a SureCall Cell booster which is very similar to Wilson. When you need it, it is handy for sure, but honestly as cell towers are added it isn't an issue that often and we always need connection when we camp. We use a "Mimo" (about $40) which is directional and plugs right into our hotspot (Verizon 8800L) about 98% of the time. We used the Surecall all the time until we got the Mimo and the speeds are faster with the Mimo, unless of course the signal is so bad that we just need to use the Surecall.

Re: RV cell phone boosters recommendations

Reply #4 – February 15, 2021, 04:55:47 pm

Quote from: WestLikeTheDirection - February 15, 2021, 03:56:53 pm

We have a SureCall Cell booster which is very similar to Wilson. When you need it, it is handy for sure, but honestly as cell towers are added it isn't an issue that often and we always need connection when we camp. We use a "Mimo" (about $40) which is directional and plugs right into our hotspot (Verizon 8800L) about 98% of the time. We used the Surecall all the time until we got the Mimo and the speeds are faster with the Mimo, unless of course the signal is so bad that we just need to use the Surecall.

MIMO review/discussion: Understanding MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) - LTE Speed & Cell...

Chris

Re: RV cell phone boosters recommendations

Reply #5 – February 15, 2021, 07:54:29 pm

Quote from: WestLikeTheDirection - February 15, 2021, 03:56:53 pm

We have a SureCall Cell booster which is very similar to Wilson. When you need it, it is handy for sure, but honestly as cell towers are added it isn't an issue that often and we always need connection when we camp.

You must camp near cities or other areas with widespread cell service. We almost never have a good cell connection when camped in the Sierras or the south-west deserts.

Larry

Re: RV cell phone boosters recommendations

Reply #6 – February 16, 2021, 07:24:48 am

Will continue with the Weboost. I have decided to clamp this to the ladder so that it is not higher than the ac. If I am parked for a while in one place and need more height I could get it higher with a PVC pipe.

Wilson Drive RV Antenna | 311230

Re: RV cell phone boosters recommendations

Reply #7 – February 16, 2021, 10:27:25 am

"We almost never have a good cell connection when camped in the Sierras or the south-west deserts."
---
I have a WeBoost; it pulls in a signal if a signal is available, but even at that, the connection is often too weak to make a call or use the hotspot. Like many others, I've been in many places, particularly in remote or mountainous areas, where a connection was either too spotty or weak to be usable, or non-existent.

I haven't tried this app, but it may be a useful planning resource :

Coverage? | Two Steps Beyond LLC

Re: RV cell phone boosters recommendations

Reply #8 – February 16, 2021, 12:17:13 pm

I think the antenna is as important as the amp. That's why I am upgrading and adding the capability to raise the antenna higher. Seeing a 1 or even 2 bar increase with my current setup is not unusual. Tho there is not always a correlation between bars and having a useable signal. I often get more throughput before 6am, before most people are on the tower.

Re: RV cell phone boosters recommendations

Reply #9 – February 16, 2021, 12:28:10 pm

Too many variables to make an informed recommendation. Cell providers lie AND cell makers lie. As a user you are at the mercy of how much money is in your wallet to experiment with. Your reception is based on cell transmission and cell receiver. Then you toss in location, distance from cell tower and the randomness of the cell provider policy. Most all of the variables the user has NO control over. Bottom line it is sadly just a crap shot - you get what ya get. You can improve it by buy a top end cell phone. The cheap ones (I mean any cell phone under the top end cells) will be more insensitive to the cell signal. Not all cell phones can receive all the cell frequencies.

<smile> I'll stop there.

glen

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