Cell phone booster - recommendations ?

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AussieCraig

AussieCraig

Senior Member
Joined
May 16, 2013
Messages
179
Location
USA
Vessel Name
The Salty Swallow - named by wife
Vessel Make
Private builder - 50' Trawler
I will most likely install a cell phone booster system in my boat (I have a Wilson in my truck and it works very well in remote locations) does anyone have any recommendations on what works well in a boat ? How far offshore can I expect a usable signal ? I would think the antenna and its placement would be crucial...?
 
Folks I have talked to have a Wilson and state they work good in a marine setting.
 
The absolute theoretical maximum you could ever reach on a GSM cell phone is 21 miles.

Thats because at over 21 miles from the tower there are timing signals that do not work.

As a full disclosure this is not my first hand knowledge. One of the tech's I work with is a cell guru and he told me this. If he says it about cell phones I have very good confiudence that it it true. :)
 
I also use a Wilson when traveling over the road. I plan to try it in the boat in the middle of July. If this thread is still alive, I'll report back.
 
ksanders said:
The absolute theoretical maximum you could ever reach on a GSM cell phone is 21 miles.

Thats because at over 21 miles from the tower there are timing signals that do not work.

As a full disclosure this is not my first hand knowledge. One of the tech's I work with is a cell guru and he told me this. If he says it about cell phones I have very good confiudence that it it true. :)[/QUOTe

Thanks for the info...I'll have to learn some more before my winter trip..:thumb:

Wonder if that is a limitation now because of digital phones...the old analog phones with a booster could reach out 80+.
Click to expand...
 
You may also want to look at Digital Antennas, they are located in Florida and specialize only in all types of Marine antennas. I have had their products for many years, they are very high in quality.
 
Remember that most of the mobile amplifiers count on the steel roof of a vehicle to act as a ground plane. You will need a marine antenna, which usually comes as an additional purchase.
 
Very true Keith and thanks for pointing that out ....
 
I've had the cell booster kit from Digital Antenna and I'm not happy with it at all. Recently I picked up the new Wilson Sleek booster kit and after testing it side by side (one ihpone 5 in the booster cradle and the other iphone 5 a foot or two away) I see no difference. As part of my kit I've purchased the external marine antenna from Wilson, as per their advice. They said that it will work much better than the small standard one made for car.

I was cruising in Long Island Sound and anchored in the spot with poor signal. The Wilson didn't do much at all. On occasion, I would get an extra bar, but it was very spotty (in and out). The other iphone 5 with no booster attached was getting pretty much the same signal. There were times when no-booster phone got 3 bars while the one with the booster still had 2 bars.

When on the hook, I would get very mixed signal 1x, 3G and LTE. The problem was that the iphone 5 with no booster attached was getting pretty much the same mix of signals.

So, based on my test anchored and then cruising I feel that it's a waste of money. I hope that there's something out there that really works. If anyone found something good, please share the source.
 
psneeld said:
ksanders said:
The absolute theoretical maximum you could ever reach on a GSM cell phone is 21 miles.

Thats because at over 21 miles from the tower there are timing signals that do not work.

As a full disclosure this is not my first hand knowledge. One of the tech's I work with is a cell guru and he told me this. If he says it about cell phones I have very good confiudence that it it true. :)[/QUOTe

Thanks for the info...I'll have to learn some more before my winter trip..:thumb:

Wonder if that is a limitation now because of digital phones...the old analog phones with a booster could reach out 80+.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is a limitation of the technology. several years ago we turned down our old analog cell system at the Prudhoe Bay Oilfield where I work. This is a very remote place to say the least. People were very unhappy to say the least.
Click to expand...
 
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