Anybody use a mobile cellular booster?

[Blue Mule]

So I have T-Mobile as my wireless phone provider. Works amazing in most places, but out in the rural areas and campsites I have 1 bar of service if anything at all.

I've been looking at the truck/RV style mobile cell signal boosters. Seems like they'd be a little bit involved to install properly into a pickup truck, but it could be worth it if I can get better service where I need it most. Has anybody used these in a pickup truck? Do they work? I see several on Amazon with 4 star or 4.5 star reviews. But they're $450ish. Not cheap.

 

[tomplum]

Watching this one.

 

[Jchonline]

Have you tried Verizon before you go investing in a booster? My advice is to get a booster that YOU CAN RETURN.

These folks allow returns. I used them for some LTE antennas awhile back, and I returned 2 of them. They were fine to work with.

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[riptides]

I'll second the trying another vendor approach.

Maybe have a buddy tag along that has a different service provider like AT&T, Verizon or someone else.

Examine their signal strength and phone type, from the phones setting. Do not rely solely on bar indicators.

I'd do that research first before diving into boosters and amplification.

Also, road service such as On-Star, also has mobile hot spot ability. Does your truck have that?

 

[kenmbz]

I have a repeater from T-Mobile in my house that they "lent" me. They only charge if I don't return if I stop using them.
Maybe they have something for 12V applications, can't hurt to ask.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I have had one so long 3G was the best data service. At that time, AT&T and mostly everybody else used different frequencies, so the booster was either for Verizon clones or AT&T. I chose Verizon/US Cellular. I bought an upgraded magnetic roof antenna. It is a Wilson mobile unit. I don't recall it being all that expensive.

If you get one bar, even part time, the signal booster will get you going. There are still places you can't get a signal at all.

 

[skipperbrown]

I'm using Cell Fi Go to boost my Visible (Verizon) signal in an area where 2 bars is the average. The Cell Fi boosts the signal to 4 bars, the maximum on my phone. Without the boost, we can talk just fine, but data is terribly slow and video is practically impossible. With the boost we can stream Netflix, Amazon, and to a lessor extent Apple with one, maybe 2 buffering stops over the course of a movie. The bottleneck is how busy the tower is. During peak times, it doesn't matter how good your connection is, the tower is only going to transmit x amount of data. I sure hope Starlink comes soon but until it does, the Cell Fi makes internet possible.

 

[Cuttingrass]

I could not complete a Verizon mobile phone conversation without dropping calls Inside my home. Outside, I received 1-2 bars depending on location. I purchased from Wilson Electronics. This company improved my coverage inside the house ; now 2-5 bars depending on location. It is not cheap ; but it does work. Be cautious about most of the crap on Amazon. You need a signal to boost, it can’t amplify nothin. Cell Phone Signal Boosters for Home | Improve Cell Signal | weBoost

 

[ponytug]

I used the analog Wilson booster for many years, and we went to the back of beyond with it, and were typically the only ones with signal. Also another vote for signalboosters, which is where I bought my Wilson. They have been very helpful over the years and have talked me out of buying equipment at times, which I always consider a good sign.

On most phones, there is a way to actually see the dBi of the transmitting stations which is generally more useful.

I looked into and nearly bought the Cel-Fi system for the ranch. They have very good reviews.

Whatever you buy, check the actual gain on the antenna. They are not all created equal and make a big difference.

Finally, google up your model truck with antennas for ideas on how people have gotten the antenna coax into the truck. Some models are easier than others, and some trucks have built in gaskets that are great for passing coax with the addition of some caulk. I try very hard to avoid drilling holes in metal if I can, because I worry about water and dust wicking into the cab.

All the best,

Peter

 

[kenmac]

Not a booster, but I remember many years ago (way before smart phones) I purchased a antenna that stuck to my rear window of my car. The antenna wire plugged into my phone, and that would give me more bars where I had few, or none.
I have no idea if they still sell those or not