BWCA Cell Phone Booster? Boundary Waters Gear Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* BWCA is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Gear Forum
      Cell Phone Booster?     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

TheBrownLeader
distinguished member (282)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/27/2018 12:18PM  
This is not a "tripping gear" question as much as it is a "cabin gear" question.

Does anyone have any experience with Cellular Boosters? I want one I can easily set up at my cabin (for when I have to work from the cabin), but then easily take down and set up elsewhere when I am not at the cabin. I searched for "portable cellular boosters" and it looks like you can get two kinds: Outfits designed to install to one permanent location, and Outfits that work from your car.

I want a hybrid. Something I can set up when I need to work, and then take down and use from another place, like my office, which sometimes has weak connections.

Is anyone familiar with these things and can offer any advice about brand, model, and effectiveness?

I appreciate any feedback. TBL
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next
02/27/2018 03:11PM  
My limited experience with them is that they typically require a stable broadband Internet connection in order to function. Do you have broadband where you want to use it?
 
thebotanyguy
distinguished member(780)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/27/2018 03:48PM  
I thought about getting one a few years back for the in-laws lake place, but it became unnecessary with some new towers in the area, so I haven't actually ordered and used one.

One thing you do need to keep in mind is the network you use: CDMA or GSM. Some signal boosters will work with both, some will receive and re-broadcast only one type of signal.
 
Moonpath
distinguished member (331)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/28/2018 08:08PM  
I have been looking into this for a while. This is one system for my cabin I am thinking about. No external antenna required. Should be relatively portable.https://www.ubersignal.com/weboost-474120-eqo-4g-signal-booster-kit.html
 
TheBrownLeader
distinguished member (282)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/01/2018 12:23PM  
Moonpath: "I have been looking into this for a while. This is one system for my cabin I am thinking about. No external antenna required. Should be relatively portable.https://www.ubersignal.com/weboost-474120-eqo-4g-signal-booster-kit.html"


Thank you Moonpath. This might work nicely. If I get it and it works (or doesn't), I will let you know.

TBL
 
Grandma L
distinguished member(5624)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
03/01/2018 06:02PM  
Waiting to hear the review of this item - could be good for my cabin and other travels!
 
hobbydog
distinguished member(1972)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/01/2018 08:17PM  
Moonpath: "I have been looking into this for a while. This is one system for my cabin I am thinking about. No external antenna required. Should be relatively portable.https://www.ubersignal.com/weboost-474120-eqo-4g-signal-booster-kit.html"


This will work if you have signal somewhere in your cabin. For example, you have signal up in the loft but not in the lower level. I do not use this model however use one similar called a Cell-fi. It comes in a low, medium and high power version. You will get what you pay for. The better the donor signal is the better the results will be. I have the Pro version for my cabin. However, the only way to get enough donor signal is to mount it externally. Because it is an indoor only device I came up with a simple workaround. I mount it on a long pipe, run an extension cord up the pipe to power it and the cover it with a sturdy 5 gallon bucket. It works well. It is important to know the direction of the nearest cell site so you point the donor in that direction for best results. If it is mid summer you might be a bit concerned about heat management under the pail. Use a white bucket if in direct sunlight. The Cel fi is provider specific so you would order one for AT&T, vz, etc. it is very easy to set up. Again, the better signal you have at the donor, the better your results will be.
 
hobbydog
distinguished member(1972)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/01/2018 08:46PM  
Here is a picture of the setup. Definitely a redneck setup.

 
Chuckles
distinguished member (260)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/02/2018 09:15AM  
I've used this one for years, with good luck. I installed it because we live in rural Iowa, have a metal roof and my office is in my basement. Have to follow the (fairly simple) instructions carefully, but it works great.

https://www.amazon.com/zBoost-ZB545-Signal-Booster-Office/dp/B003VOW5WI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I actually have a brand new one I'd sell if you're interested. PM me.
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next