Signal booster for internet access

[BirdClemRV]

Anyone got a tip on an affordable product that will help increase signal strength to the internet?  I use a Verizon HTC Droid  smartphone that serves as a modem. 
Thank you.  Dave

 

[Clay L]

My phone has an antenna port but no one makes an adapter that fits for it to connect to an antenna or amp.

Wilson makes a repeater that broadcasts to the cell phone or aircard. It requires a minimum distance between the inside antenna and the outside (trucker) antenna.

Because of where I wanted to mount the outside antenna, amplifier, and router I could not get the minimum distance.
I bought this "SIGNALBOOST? Mobile and Home/Office Cellular/PCS Amplifier (811210)." You can see it here  http://wilsonelectronics.com/ViewProduct.php?ID=123
It uses a small flat plate antenna that Velcros to either the phone or the aircard. Not as convenient as the repeater and perhaps not as efficient but it has worked well for me.

 

[Jammer]

I have a zBoost in my stick house.  They do work but are a pain to install properly.  In an RV you'd have to have a pole-mounted antenna to get enough vertical separation.

 

[obelix67]

I was looking at the wilson one here http://www.alternativewireless.com/wilson-wireless-vehicle-dualband-amp-ext-antenna-kit.html  and they also have additional info on the antenna http://www.alternativewireless.com/rv-trucker.html  and finally this link http://www.alternativewireless.com/cellular-antennas/mobile-signal-booster.html

I know Avaya used to do a directional Wifi Extender but have no idea if they still have that product.

As an aside one of the reasons I was looking at Hughesnet is that it will still work in Europe... the benefit is under the old roaming charges casual internet mobile phone/dongle use would generate about 800 dollars of bill for a month, in the EU between EU companies the most the customer can be charged now is supposed to be 60 euro. I dont know how that compares to roaming charges with-in USA / Canada.

 

[Pierat]

One place to look is here: http://www.powerfulsignal.com/

Does Verizon sell anything that would help you?

 

[Jeff]

My phone has an antenna port but no one makes an adapter that fits for it to connect to an antenna or amp.

Clay:

They sell a cradle that the cord plugs into and holds the phone in place of the adapter. I bought ours online for about twenty bucks.

 

[Clay L]

Clay:

They sell a cradle that the cord plugs into and holds the phone in place of the adapter. I bought ours online for about twenty bucks.

Is that a Wilson product?

 

[Jeff]

Yes.

You can check it out here but Google it for pricing. If you would like to use your current cord as an extension  you need one of these.

 

[Clay L]

That appears to similar (in concept) to what I am using.
Rather than place my phone in a cradle I Velcro the flat plate antenna from my SignalBoost amp to the back of my phone. Then  I can either hold the phone normally or use the Bluetooth feature.
The flat plate also Velcros to the back of the aircard.

 

[obelix67]

Has anyone tried putting one of these 5ft omni antennas on the back of the RV http://www.wlanparts.com/category/wlan.antennas.omni-antennas/  ?

I dont know if you could mount it upright mounted to the ladder on the rear when parked and then unmount it or have it pointing down the ladder when ready for travelling ? some sheilding around the cable to keep the sun and elements off ...?

If the top parts were interchangeable, having a 2ft antenna for in motion or pitstop wifi ?

Or if you could mount it on a slide mount, you could vary just the top of the antenna showing, not sure about the stresses of a 5ft antenna, I think that a 22 ft one would be better to leave on for the pitstop, then a swap out for campsite use

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I have a cellular antenna I put up when reception is poor. It mounts onto a PVC pole I bungie to a slide out corner. Haven't done that with wifi, though it could.

I see cellular, ham and wifi antennas mounted to the rear ladder on fifth wheels all the time - two neighbors in this park have them. That's a handy location for a 5W, because the living area is in the rear on most of them.  Not so handy for a motorhome, which typically has the bedroom in the rear.

 

[seilerbird]

Why not just turn the whole ladder into an antenna?