Emily_Eisenman
North Georgia
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Joined: 05/30/2012
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We sometimes find ourselves in an area where cell service is limited, maybe acceptable for phone use but horribly slow for internet use. Both my husband and I teach online classes so decent internet is a must. We are on Verizon and use the Mobile Hotspot to connect the devices to the internet.
I’ve been researching cell signal boosters and think I want to go with something from Wilson Electronics. I’m wondering what you all use? If you have Wilson products are you using Direct Connect, Wireless, or Cradle? What outside antenna do you use?
I’m not crazy about the idea of drilling holes in the MH anywhere to get the cabling from an outside antenna into the inside booster, but maybe that fear is misplaced. I see one model that has a suction cup window mount antenna – anyone know if that works well? We are more concerned about having internet service when we are parked than when driving down the road.
Any and all suggestions for getting better internet connection in areas of limited cell service are appreciated!
Jack & Emily Eisenman
2004 Monaco McKenzie Rogue
Previous: 2000 Four Winds FunMover
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2oldman
Winchester WA
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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Cell boost 2012
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jamstoyz
Chesterfield MI
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Joined: 05/09/2012
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subscribed. Im interested too. I use to have Verizon but switched to Sprint for better rates. There service is pretty good but nothing like Verizon. I run a biz and need internet and signal. Most anywhere up north we lose signal.
2001 Gulfstream Yellowstone 29'
1999 Fleetwood Prowler TT 24' (sold)
2004 Fleetwood Gearbox Toyhauler 28' (sold)
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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Any of the latest Wilson amp setups are about as good as it gets. I found that an amp doesn't really help all the much. A good antenna helps quite a bit. The point being that your connection is only as good as the signal you recieve and an amp doesn't help your reception. The only time an amp helps is in those fringe areas when you can hear the other person but they can't hear you. But sometimes it helps.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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Check out solidsignal.com They are out of UT and have several options. I bought one of their Signal 55 booster kits and am pleased with it so far. We just spent a month in a location where 3G service was available maybe 20 minutes a day, and it seemed to help keep me connected. Leaving again at the end of the month for another weak signal camp ground so we will see.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
Resident Know It All 
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Crabbypatty
Long Island, New York
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Joined: 02/18/2004
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I use a wilson repeater in the TT. It has a "candy bar" antennae that I mounted under a cabinet. That is attached to an amplifier that is connected to a trucker antenna up on the tv mast. When I get to where Im going I crank up the tv mast and up goes the cell phone and wifi antennae's. Works pretty good. I can pick off wifi from a couple miles away using a hawkins antenna hooked up to a wireless bridge. and the cell phone goes from nothing to 3-4 bars.
John, Lisa & Tara  
2001 2500LT Suburban 8.1L 4x4 Autoride K/N, AIR HORNS
Reese 12klb w/dual cam, Prodigy, 27x Wilderness BH Trojan 125's, Honda EU3000, Dish 500, Xantrax 1200, Wilson Cellular Ant & Amp, L.I.B.B.A. #1747, Wireless WiFi, Water Camper
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The Texan
Meridian, Idaho
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Joined: 01/16/2004
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We used a Z-Boost system last year and liked it, but everyone raved about the Wilson and how great it was, sooo being stupid, we went for one...WRONG. It was the worst thing we have done and a total waste of money. Went back to our Z-Boost SOHO YX545 and are now back to being happy campers, with phones that work and a working internet aircard.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"
'05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back.
Where the wheels are stopped today
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Kemahsabe
Kemah, TX
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Joined: 07/10/2006
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I bought a Wilson #801212 Dual-Band system. I use it for both my cell phone and my air card at the same time. It doesn't connect to either one. I lay the inside antenna on the desk next to the aircard and the phone, and use a bluetooth with the phone.
They also have models with an inside antenna that will re-broadcast to several phones over a larger area.
My external antenna is on a temporary mast to get it above the roof of my TT, but I've also simply stuck it on the rear bumper. It does an excellent job of bringing in poor signals. I also use it in the car, at the hunting camp, and I've used it in hotels with poor wifi.
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YC 1
Yuba City Calif.
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Joined: 01/11/2005
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I have tested the Wilson Sleek on the test bench as well as actual personal use in my mh. I am very very impressed with the Sleek. If you are worring about antennas buy the Home kit along with the sleek 4G model that just came out. The home kit will give you 110 volt capability and a great little suction cup device to place the mag mount antenna on so placement on a window is easy. Using the other types of amps such as the one with the "candy bar" antenna can be difficult for the novice. The issue is the seperation between the inside and outside antenna. With fiberglass roofs the signal gain is not well seperated and the amps can go into a feedback mode very easily. Some of those types of amps won't give you an indication they are in feedback, just bad performance. At least the Wilson does give you an indicator. The advantage of the 'Candy Bar" type is being able to use more than one phone at a time. Since you have one carrier that is not an issue with the Sleek. Just use the wi-fi to feed the other phone if needed. If your phone allows you to go into the signal strength mode it will give you a definite improvement indication. I am very surprised at the price of the Sleek as well. Very reasonable. In addition you can easily take the Sleek with you if you have a toad. Run the magnetice antenna outside,put your phone in the cradle, and if you have a late model car just pair the phone up to your blue tooth or headset.
H/R Endeavor 2008
2007 Hummer H3 toad
Ranger Boat
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joe b.
Florida
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Joined: 08/24/2002
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I used a Wilson Sleek on my AT&T iPhone this summer in western Colorado with good success. I have a Wilson short truckers antennae which I set on the slide out. Then I ran the cable under the rubber seal on the side of the slide out, to connect to the Sleek. It made a big improvement to getting on the Internet with decent speed from the phone's hotspot. A few times we had five devices operating off thr system and it did better than I expected.
We also have a pre-pay Verizon MiFi card (3G) but didn't activate it this summer. The only spot I needed it was at the North Rim of Grand Canyon where there was a Vvrizon signal but not an AT&T one. Next summer it will be activated as the MiFi card is always in the RV where as my iPhone and it's hotspot go where ever I go. Either that or we will activate the hotspot feature on my wife's iPhone as well.
The Sleek kit I bought from the 3G Store, came with a short magnetic cabled outside antennae. I tried it and felt it worked as well as the short trucker antennae. I mounted a steel plate to the aluminum slide out so I can use magnetic antennaes and not have the wind blow them off while parked.
* This post was
edited 08/18/12 02:23pm by joe b. *
joe b.
Stuart Florida
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
Chevy 3500 DRW Dmax CC - Rockwood 8281 SS 5th Whl & 2008 Lance 845 TC
www.pajbcooper.com web site
Alaska Trip 2011 posted
Colo-Utah-Ariz 2012 trip posted
"Without challenge, adventure is impossible".
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