Wilson Cell Signal Mobile Amplifier Review

[Six Actual]

Good info on the dB. I'm wondering, though, when attaching a steel plate to a fiberglass hardtop--which I may be doing soon to a pop top on a van--any advantage to then grounding that plate to the vehicle frame, both for performance and possibility of lightning, or for lightning even through to the ground via a dragger like a lot of older trucks used to do?

I actually have it mounted to my hi lift jack and not directly on the hard top. My understanding of how the metal plate works is all you need is a plate about that big to reflect the signal up to the antenna. I don't think grounding it would add anything to the db as it's more of a reflector, which would probably work a whole lot better on the metal roof of a car, but for our application, we got to work with what we got.

 

[Road]

I actually have it mounted to my hi lift jack and not directly on the hard top. My understanding of how the metal plate works is all you need is a plate about that big to reflect the signal up to the antenna. I don't think grounding it would add anything to the db as it's more of a reflector, which would probably work a whole lot better on the metal roof of a car, but for our application, we got to work with what we got.

Ahh, interesting. Hadn't quite thought about it like that, but remember now having read something along those lines in the past, the reflection, not the grounding, being more important.

Thanks, I appreciate the reply.

 

[Six Actual]

little update.. Just took a long road trip with this using my mifi device. Signal was still good but the weboost gets pretty hot and keeping my mifi on it caused the battery to swell pretty badly. Lesson learned, I need to keep a spacer between the mifi (or cell phone) if used for extended periods. Maybe something the width of ball point pen would work.

 

[Desert Runner]

I thought it would be valuable to the community to write a review of this product I have been using for a while- and have had a number of years experience with. An invaluable addition to any rig, IMO.

For those of you who may not be familiar with cell amps- they are exactly what they sound like. These are devices that increase the receive AND transmit signal strength of a cell signal to help with connectivity. Though many may venture to the wilderness to disconnect, I feel like cell capabilities are important for safety, mapping and other things such as data and sms. Yes, these devices increase signal for voice, data, sms/test etc. Its not just limited to voice signal anymore. These devices also can amplify signals of multiple devices at the same time now....so your phone, a tablet with cell service or a few people in your vehicle.

I first started using Wilson Brand cell amps about 12 years ago. (Maine has one of the worst cell coverage maps in the nation, and this has been a necessity for me in all my vehicles that venture off the pavement).....Back then they were carrier specific and huge. Now, they have integrated everything in to a small package that can really be mounted anyplace. The system has four main components;

1. The amp box (about a 5" square aluminum box that houses all electronics)
2. External antenna
3. Internal antenna
4. Power supply (comes with 12v socket plug but hardwire kit is available or you can snip the lighter plug off like I have done)

Hook up/Install is pretty simple;

1. plug amp power in to 12v socket (or hardwire which I have done so it is "on" or active all the time)
2. run external mag mount antenna to roof or other suitable location (higher is better)
3. mount internal antenna in vehicle- the closer to the area you will be talking, the better (I have mounted on B pillar basically just above my head)
4. mount amp box. Since you do not need to access it (because once powered on the unit simply stays on all the time), it can be put in a small space under a seat or the dash.

Of course, you could add a switch to turn this on an off if you wanted but its unnecessary IMO.... the most effective way to use these devices is to simply have them running in the background all the time. Less dropped calls, ect even in areas with solid signals normally.

Another cool thing is that even though my Ipad doesn't have a cell card, I do have it connected to my phone via a hot spot....so indirectly, the amp is creating a better link to the ipad for maping data and access to my cloud music library!

Lastly, Wilson is a very reputable company which is why I purchased from them. They have been around in the antenna/amp industry forever, mainly in the long haul trucker industry. We have a few original units that are 10+ years old that are still going strong. Never had any issues with them

https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/weboost-drive-4g-x-cell-phone-signal-booster-kit-470510/

Central Nevada is the same way. Although a couple of cell companies have improved coverage, it is still hit n miss in many interior cow counties. think a upside triangle, take away the 2nd leg...aka coverage is Las Vegas/Reno-Carson City/ Elko(2G), and points spread out from there. 4G has helped a lot. Living in southern Nevada, and driving north on US-93, you would loose cell service as soon as you crossed the county line. This was with Verizon who touted the best coverage in 2009. Like i said it's better now, but not as good as these companies would have you think. 'Roaming' has allowed them to fudge coverage and exaggerate their claims.