Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Cell phone antenna -yet again (Read 593 times) previous topic - next topic

Cell phone antenna -yet again

I have read many prior posts regarding this subject but I am still confused. On my 2002 U320 there is a cell antenna mounted on the front of the coach. My questions are: 
 1. Is there a booster on this antenna?
 2. Does the antenna attach directly to the phone, if so how?
 3. Is this system compatible with today's smart phones?
 4. Am I wasting my time with this system or should I just start over?

I am looking at the Wilson SOHO system and would like to know about antenna locations. This seems like a good solution but the spacing required and directional antenna involved seem to pose a few problems.
2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
Coach # 5995
Previous coaches
2002 U320 coach  #5941
1996 U270 coach #4808

Re: Cell phone antenna -yet again

Reply #1 –
I used the Wilson SOHO set up.  Started with the 3G Store on-line for info.  Works well for 3G and less if there is a signal to boost.  No signal means just that.  I bought all of the same parts individually for well over $100 less at Amazon.

My external antenna is at the top of the ladder.  The boost amp is where the small bedroom tv is (in my 2001 U320 36') and the interior repeater amp is aimed forward, mounted at the top of pantry wall opposite the refrigerator.  Snaking wires takes patience. 

You need at least 10' between the external antenna and the internal repeater.  Repeater signal is forward of where you mount it.  With Verizon we typically boost 1 bar to at least 3.  If you go stand next to the repeater antenna it can go to 4 or 5.

It does not boost 4G signals.  That technology is more expensive.

It works with all of mu apple devices and my mifi hotspot.  I connect that to a Cradlepoint wireless router for an in-coach network.  I use that network for computers, laptops, iPads, android devices and anything else that needs or uses wifi.

Send an email to roger.pdxdev@gmail.com and I will send pictures when I get home this weekend. 

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Cell phone antenna -yet again

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Falconguy –
I have read many prior posts regarding this subject but I am still confused. On my 2002 U320 there is a cell antenna mounted on the front of the coach. My questions are: 
 1. Is there a booster on this antenna?

If it's one of the short ones with a squiggle in the middle, no.  If a Wilson trucker, maybe, but no guarantee and it would have been an aftermarket add-on by a previous owner.

Quote
2. Does the antenna attach directly to the phone, if so how?

Older phones had antenna ports on them.  New ones do not.  Likely won't work if you have a new-ish phone.

Quote
3. Is this system compatible with today's smart phones?

No - the ones originally installed (short, withe the squiggle) were for the old analog phone signals.  Unless it is a Wilson Trucker (you would see that on a larger center piece of the antenna, tapered cylinder), in which case it may boost the 1X and 3G signal if that's all you have.  It will do nothing for 4G.  But then you would still need a phone with an antenna port and an adapter from wherever the antenna line comes in to the phone.  The last phones we had which worked with such a system were an LG Dare and a Motorola W755, back in 2010.

Quote
4. Am I wasting my time with this system or should I just start over?

You may need to start over, but first see how good your signal is where you like to travel.  We haven't used an external antenna or amplifier since 2010 and haven't needed one.  The newer phones seem to have much better receivers in them (and the rollout of cell service, at least with our VZW phones, has really improved in the last 3 years).
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Cell phone antenna -yet again

Reply #3 –
We have an older Wilson trucker antenna (pre-4G), and use it with a Novatel MIFI 4620L (Verizon network, contract with Millenicom).  The 4620L has an antenna port, so we plug the antenna into the MIFI without the Wilson amp, and it will typically boost one or two bars on 4G, and 2-3 bars on 3G.  The amp we have is too old to work on 4G, but is still a big help out in the boonies.

Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: Cell phone antenna -yet again

Reply #4 –
Thanks everyone for your input. At this point it looks like I'm going to start over. I have no fondness for things that are just OK and no tolerance for things that don't work. Michelle I especially appreciate your "blow by blow " approach to my questions.
2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
Coach # 5995
Previous coaches
2002 U320 coach  #5941
1996 U270 coach #4808
 

Re: Cell phone antenna -yet again

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Michelle –
No - the ones originally installed (short, withe the squiggle) were for the old analog phone signals.
Michelle,
I don't think the antenna cares if the signal is analog or digital.  If it is a signal in the proper radio frequency, the short antenna with squiggle should still receive it, but the gain may be different than with another higher gain antenna.
1994 U225
build #4514