Installing a wireless cell phone system

[Windsor02]

I thought I would pass along my success of installing a Wilson Electronics System in our motorhome with the following equipment:
Wilson P/N 801245 SOHO Wireless 50dB/50dB Dual Band 800/1900 MHz Smart Tech Amplifier w/ FME Male P/N 971108 Connector
Wilson P/N 859913 DC/DC 6V Power Supply (Dual Band Wireless Amplifier)
Wilson P/N 301133 RV / Trucker Spring-Mount Cellular Antenna - w/ 10.5′ Coax w/FME Female Connector
Wilson P/N 301135 Dual Band Panel Antenna w/ Wall Mount
Wilson P/N 952330 30′ WILSON400 Ultra Low Loss Coax Cable (Equivalent to LMR 400 - N Male - N Male)

We were in Pacific City, OR where cell phone reception was very poor (no bars to 1 bar)
I set up the outside antenna using a PVC mast strapped to the roof rack ladder, than ran everything else loose through the coach . When I plugged in the amplifier, using the 110 volt transformer supplied with the amplifier, and turned on the cell phones the reading went to 4 bars and stayed there the whole time we were at the campground.
A friend stopped by with their laptop and Verizon Air Card and got 4 bars as well. This setup allowed broadband communication through the internet which brought bright smiles from our friends. Note: Our friends were also in the same campground and were unable to get anything but a single bar of reception on both the cell phone and their laptop.

As soon as I got home I did a hard install and ran all the wiring through cabinets or above the ceiling panels.
I am anxious to travel to more sites where we have had poor cell reception in the past and try out this new install.
Note: A hard wire install is not necessary if you can put up with some wiring running through the RV

[KodiakRV]

What's the power supply that's plugged in and just hanging there for?

What's the other wire that's hanging there that also looks like the end of a power supply?

[Windsor02]

One cord is the 6 volt plug in to be used for dry camping, if your inverter or generator is not on, and the other is the 110 volt adaptor which was not plugged in during this photo.

[KodiakRV]

One cord is the 6 volt plug in to be used for dry camping, if your inverter or generator is not on, and the other is the 110 volt adaptor which was not plugged in during this photo.

Are they both used to power the blue box?

[John From Detroit]

Are you sure that Wilson is six volt.. Mine is 12 volt

By the way.. I'd dump the wall wart and just use the battery cord all the time.. in fact.. That is how I installed mine.. I mean. a PD-9180 (In my case) is more than enough power for the Wilson and it is designed to run on automotive power (Mine came with an auto adapter (12 volt plug) in fact)

[Windsor02]

In reply to KodiakRV, use the 110 volt plug in when hooked up to shore power or if you have your inverter on or generator running.

In reply to John from Detroit, you probably have the direct connect amplifier, which is 12 volt, where the one I used is a wireless unit and is 6 volt. Using the wireless unit allows for more then one person to use their cell phone and use your laptop all at the same time

[Jackliz]

Howdy, Windsor02.
Your solution is very interesting. After your cell phone was hooked up to your new amplified system, how was the actual call reception on your cell phone?

TIA,
Liz
Bernardo, TX

[Windsor02]

Reply to Jackliz, reception was excellent. Clear and bright on both ends. With the amplifier providing 3 watts of power to both send and receive the signal , I was very impressed with the overall performance.

[John From Detroit]

No, my unit is actually "either connect" as it is installed, and as it is DESIGNED to be installed in a car, it is wireless.

And it is 12 volt.

I do agree however, due to the way power systems are designed, it is more efficent to use the 120 volt wall wart,, actually all the time, if it's six volt

Converting from12 to 120 volt you loose about 10%

Converting from 120 to six you loose about 10 percent (Total loss 19%) or more depending on how the wall wart is designed, but odds are not more than 25%

Converting from 12 volt to six volt, by the normal method, you loos at least fifty percent.

[delcirose]

Well first let me say, great job on describing the components that you used in your installation. After recently spending a month among the trees in the Chimacum Washington area and being totally frustrated with my Verizon USB Modem I really need my internet and your efforts to inform others is greatly appreciated. I do have one question about the location of the inside antenna in relation to the outside antenna and what is mentioned about an oscillating problem with the two if they are to close to one another. How far apart are your two antennas and did you experience any difficulty with that? I have a 36' fifth wheel and I really do not want a lot of wires exposed so I will probably need to do some fishing and hiding of the installation wires and the position of the antennas could present me with some problems. Did you purchase these components as a kit or individually and who did you go with? I very much need to do this, thanks again for putting this information up for everyone.

[Windsor02]

Reply to delcirose,
The concern that Wilson made clear was that their must me a minimum of 20' between the two antenna's and that they must face away from another. Originally I was going to put in a roof mount antenna up front between our radio and CB antenna's but when I found out about the relationship of one to another it made the most sense to put the outside antenna in the rear and face the inside antenna towards the front. That way we would have good reception while driving.

During the install I found that it was easy to run the cable from front to rear in the AC Plenum and break out the cable where I had access to a light fixture or vent. Make sure you buy some aluminum mylar tape to repair any openings you make in the Plenum.

I felt that the success of this installation was enough for me to become a dealer for Wilson Electronics. The items were chosen after a discussion with Wilson's technical staff who were quite knowledgeable and helpful.

[RV Roamer]

The required distance between the inside and outside antennas will depend on the amplification. For example, a 37 dB amp requires about 20 feet apart but a 50 dB amp requires 40 feet of separation. This information is available on the Wilson Electronics site and also the sites of Wilson dealers.

[DonTom]

Reply to Jackliz, reception was excellent. Clear and bright on both ends. With the amplifier providing 3 watts of power to both send and receive the signal , I was very impressed with the overall performance.

Three watts to receive the signal?

Somebody is going to have to explain that to me!!!

-Don- Reno, NV

[MrLucky1950]

How far do you estimate it is from your external antenna, to your internal one?
Thanks
Paul