Cellular Booster installation ?

[Jfrano]

So looking to install a cellular booster. The model I’m interested in is https://www.wilsonsignalbooster.com/wil ... e-kit.html

So the main components are the outside antenna, the inside antenna and the amplifier.
— So routing the cable through the mast to the amplifier; how do you pull cable through the mast and where does it come out in the boat?
— Where are people mounting the amplifier?
— Where are people mounting the inside panel antenna; I’d like to mount near my salon/dinette table and how do you route the cable back to the amplifier with a clean install ?

Any other comments suggestion ?

Thanks
Joe

 

[MV Toujours]

I've been looking at the exact same brand setup. The external antenna is threaded to mount on a VHF antenna base, so I am considering mounting one opposite the factory VHF antenna, routing the cable under the flybridge combing and entering the cabin with the VHF antenna cable.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Have a read of seabits.com. Tons of info on this topic with real world testing.

 

[knotflying]

I have my booster set up on a permanent/temporary setup. My antenna is always on the mast and can be easily unscrewed from the bracket. If I am cruising and staying at marinas I have the antenna up and I run the wire through the v-berth hatch along the ceiling and then into the access behind the helm. In there I have the router and power. When not in use wire unplugs from antenna and stays bundled in with the router. Quite frankly marinas are getting much better with wi-fi antennas and I have noticed that quite often I do not even need the booster anymore.

 

[Capt’nKarl]

I’ve had this exact cellular booster for about 2 years. I’ve hooked it up it in my car, my RV and the boat. I’ve used the highest mounting spot for the outside antenna on each of these vehicles and used an app to find the nearest cell tower. Here’s my 2 cents on this product. If you have 2-4 bars of cell signal reception WITHOUT the booster you will get a slight increase in the cell signal but, in my experience, it made little to no difference in the speed of downloading anything. Additionally, and again this is my experience, you need to have your cell phone or iPad no more that 6 inches away from the inside antenna. If you have 1 bar of reception on your device there was no significant benefit having the cell booster. For the 600 bucks I paid for this thing it’s been virtually useless. I’d like to hear if others have had the same outcome.
Karl

 

[JamesTXSD]

For less than $200, we have used the WeBoost Drive Sleek (a Wilson product) for 4 years. On the boat, I put the magnetic antenna on a cookie sheet to make a ground plate. A weak signal is definitely improved, as is data speed. On San Juan Island, it made the difference from getting a 1X signal to getting one or two bars. Data speed there was slow, but the Sleek bumped it from dial-up speeds to 1 to 2 mg.

In our motorhome, I run the antenna out to where it can stick to the metal cab. Similar results. Realistically, most places we have been the booster hasn't been necessary. It has made a significant difference with a weak signal. It can't help you if there is no signal.

The sleek is considered a "one device" booster, but I use my phone as our hotspot. With my phone in or on the cradle, we can get a signal to several devices.

https://www.weboost.com/products/drive-sleek

This is not going to be the permanent install the OP asked about, but another option that you can take from vehicle to boat. Other than the summers we spent in Friday Harbor, this device only gets used once in a great while for us. The price is 1/3 of a more permanent solution being discussed here. Just tossing that out as another consideration.

 

[Irish Mist]

I got this one and it works pretty good.. as mentioned needs pie plate or other metal ground plane to work.. Notice able increase .. adds a bar or two.. good in truck good in RV as well
weBoost Drive 4G-M (470108)Vehicle Cell Phone Signal Booster 4G LTE - Cellular Signal Booster Amplifier for Car & Truck - Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint - Enhances 4G LTE Cell Phone Signals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RHMFPEU/re ... -Eb2W3JFCF

 

[FreeSoup]

Good timing on this, started another thread asking about general wiring ideas to route things, one of which is a cellular booster. Picked up the weBoost Drive Reach based on reading things on this forum and others. I also picked up a Wilson Electronics 4G Wide Band omni-directional marine antenna. Plan is to permanently wire in the antenna. Ideal spot would be on the tower, but not sure I'm game to dive into routing up to that. Was thinking similar to Toujours and just going with it on the Command Bridge similar to the VHF. Hoping that wire routing path down to the wiring closet may be a bit easier?