Improving cell and internet reception, a field report

[ArtStream]

Hi, I'm Michael aka (Artstream).
I'm an artist at large and full-timer, I travel to a number of known dead zones in my yearly rounds through-out the country. These are the voyagers of the Artstream, Tenderfries, its 10 year mission…

At times, I have had to turndown free lodging do to poor or no cell service!

Here are the fruits of my research and real world testing.

Previous with Sprint, I recently changed to Verizon for both voice and data.
I chose a tri-band phone with a connector for an external antenna.
For internet service I chose the Sierra 595 AirCard, also with an external antenna port.

[ArtStream]

My first mod to improve service was to install a " Wilson Trucker Mount Dual Band Antenna", roof mount. (bay $49.00 Cell Phone Antennas and Cell Phone Boosters at Wilson Electronics)

I mounted the antenna on the top of the aluminum refrigerator vent of my 28 foot Excella.
I found this an ideal spot; it allows easy routing of the coaxal cable down the outside fridge compartment. A small hole routes the coax into the interior of the coach.

Using a Wilson cable to connect the roof antenna to my cell phone improved the signal from "No signal/roam" to "home system 1 bar"

A less dramatic improvement was obtained with my Serria 595 AirCard:
From "Host computer not responding" to spotty service with the antenna connected. The Verizon software showed -120dbm without antenna to -109 dbm with antenna, an 11dbm improvement.

[ArtStream]

Now add a "Wilson Direct Connect cellular amplifier"
E-bay price $159.00 Cell Phone Antennas and Cell Phone Boosters at Wilson Electronics


This unit runs on 12V and connects easily between the external antenna and the cell or AirCard.

Bottom line:
With Wilson Amp on: Cell phone reception improved to 3 solid bars!
This combo made Internet service very usable showing 1 solid bar and -95dbm on the Verizon manager software, a total 25dbm improvement!

I'm thriller with the usability and improvement these two add-ons offered.

[ArtStream]

I recommend both products. Note, there are other brands on the market, and by no means is Wilson the best or worse in this product category. I have no affiliation with any of the companies mentioned above. I report this only as a courtesy to my fellow Airstreamers


Epilog

Ironically, being tethered by all these antenna cables has rendered my mobile products immobile "hold on a sec, I have to put the phone down while I to run to the back of the trailer for a pen"



Happy calling,
Michael

[GStephens]

Thanks for the tips.
GStephens

[Silvertwinkie]

Great info....funny about the moblie stuff being not so mobile, and running off to get a pen!

[lewster]

I'm currently researching a wireless signal repeater and antenna so I CAN use both the cell phone and aircard WITHOUT being hooked up. I will report back on this thread when I get more info.

Thanks for the info Mike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cammur]

Great info and photos - mood lighting or something permanent on your belly pan?

[JerryDyann]

Try contacting hawkexpress.com a women by the name of Janice Grice. they have a wireless repeater that will give you about 2 to 2.5 watts. i just purchased a direct connect setup that gives my little cell phone a full 3 watts. i might look at the wilson for my trailer. right now everything is movable from car to truck to trailer

[ArtStream]

Originally Posted by cammur

Great info and photos - mood lighting or something permanent on your belly pan?

Hey Cam!
Spot on. 12v neon permanently mounted on bellypan. Remote on/off switch!