Cell Phone Boosters

[dchysan87]

Asking for a recommendation on getting a cell phone booster for camping in State Parks. Amazon has plenty of models. Mostly want to use it for working on computers. I did check the previous forum posts but got lost in the rabbit holes.

Thanks

[Dennis C]

State parks can be tough, even with a cell booster. There has to be a signal to boost, and that's not always the case. I camped at Custer State Park in South Dakota a few weeks ago, and even with my weBoost system there was virtually no signal. I would get the occasional text message, but I couldn't make a phone call. Contrast that experience with a recent camping trip to a small campground in the mountains in Colorado. Outside of the trailer, I had no signal on my phone. Inside with the weBoost, I was able to get 1 -2 bars of LTE inconsistently, and full bars of 4G. It really made a difference there, and I was able to connect to email, make phone calls, and browse the web.

[Janet H]

Another weBoost user here. Generally it works well BUT in some parts of the PNW there is simply no cell coverage.

I use this: https://www.weboost.com/products/drive4g-x-otr

One of the issues I've had with boosters is that locating them inside the airstream reduces effectiveness. I mount this on a pole outside the trailer (slips into my flag pole holder) for maximum benefit.

I saw a clever pole mount solution recently using 2 command broom holders placed in a vertical line stuck to outside of trailer to secure an extendable pole.

[Dennis C]

I've got the same booster.

Do you leave the booster inside, and then place the antenna outside? Maybe running the cable out through a door or window?

[azflycaster]

Installed SureCall in my trailer. It has worked well for me.

[Lily&Me]

I’ve had a WeBoost for one device for several years, and it works exactly as advertised...boosts weak signal to a better and usable signal.

I just use it for my iPhone, and use that as a hotspot for my IPad as needed.

Maggie

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

I've got the same booster.

Do you leave the booster inside, and then place the antenna outside? Maybe running the cable out through a door or window?

Yes, The booster stays inside.

[Dennis C]

I'll try that next time I camp. I've also been considering a Jetpack to broadcast wifi when camping. Our phones are on AT&T, and I'll probably add a Verizon Jetpack so that we have two carriers. On the last trip, I placed my phone next to the antenna and set it up as a wifi hotspot so that I could use my iPad. That worked well.

[Batman0424]

Originally Posted by Janet H

Another weBoost user here. Generally it works well BUT in some parts of the PNW there is simply no cell coverage.

I use this: https://www.weboost.com/products/drive4g-x-otr

One of the issues I've had with boosters is that locating them inside the airstream reduces effectiveness. I mount this on a pole outside the trailer (slips into my flag pole holder) for maximum benefit.

I saw a clever pole mount solution recently using 2 command broom holders placed in a vertical line stuck to outside of trailer to secure an extendable pole.

How did you run the cable from your outside antenna to the inside unit?

I’m looking for an option that doesn’t involve drilling holes.

[azflycaster]

I installed a SureCall booster (similar to weboost) in my Airstream. The antenna is attached to the roof with double sided tape similar to how many solar panels are attached. The coax runs into the trailer down the refrigerator roof vent.

[CMHM]

It really depends what you need it for, I wrote a long post about our set-up powered by a bundle we bought from mobilemusthave.com. The MIMO antenna, Pepwave Max Transit Duo with both Verizon and AT&T simcards so far has provided us enough bandwidth to stream movies and work full-time in the most remote areas where our phones had long lost their signals. But it is a bit of work and around $1,500 in equipment and around $300/month in data fees.