[BILL]

Do you want it for voice or data?

i have read very mixed reviews of cell repeater installations. Typically, they are a hassle to install correctly. The outside and inside antennas have to be 40 feet apart and well grounded to minimize interference (they operate on the same frequency). You’ll also need to make sure they support the new LTE frequencies. Otherwise the system will be quickly obsolete.

A better approach might be to go with an external antenna for an internal MIFI device that provides WIFI to 5 devices or so. Millenicom gets good reviews ($70 for 20GB/month) plus $100 for device. You may not need an external antenna depending on placement in the bus.

Gerald

[Archived]

Brady, take this for what it is worth coming from a guy that almost never turns on his cell phone except when he wants to make a call.

In our coach, and probably yours you have a roof mounted cell phone antenna. I set our bus up with a device called Telular SX5T which is a cell phone but is a black box. That is connected to the 120 volt power and the antenna, and the phone jacks in the bus are plugged into it. That device is always on. We have never failed to have cell service.

Since I don’t have a smart phone, I don’t watch TV on my phone, I don’t surf the web on my phone I instead use Verizon MiFi and that is my internet access for my computer. I imagine it can be used for whatever you need to connect. My MiFi has always worked and because my Comcast service is so inreliable at home when it goes out I use my MiFi. I have never failed to connect with my MiFi either. I would guess we would have to go pretty far out in the boonies before we failed to get a signal. BTW, my flip phone has also never failed to get a signal when I have it and it is turned on. At least it has always been available when I needed it. To give you a sense of my cell phone use, we have 4, the total usage for all 4 is 21 minutes per month average. I don’t know what the MiFi usage is. That is based on bits or gigs or some number I cannot relate to anything in my world.

[Archived]

Here’s what I’ve done with success.

I installed a Wi-Fi Repeater in the cabinet above the passenger’s seat in the area of the fiberglass cap. This uses Wi-Fi to communicate with the CG’s hot spot and my computer. This works well in most cases.

I also have my VzW Smartphone set-up as a Mi-Fi hot spot. This too I place in the same location and have had very good luck.

Your challenge will be that mobile spectrum is now very fragmented with huge differences in frequencies. Some operate in the 700MHz spectrum while others are far away at 1900 MHz. If you elect to go down that path, these sites may help:

http://www.wpsantennas.com/700MHz-LTE-building-repeater.aspx

http://www.repeaterstore.com/applications/car-truck-rv.html

[Robert]

Using home office version in coach. We use in a remote location with poor cell service. It boost to very good service booth mifi and cell (verizon) Using the egg shapped inside antenna Front inside(sends to cell and mifi) and small antenna on rear.(recieves). 4yrs no problem. FWIW. they must be seperated or they will repeat to each other!. You would be surprised people walking by that suddenly get cell signal in front of bus. Bob

[Archived]

Brady,

This is what we have done…

I purchased a Wilson Model 2B5125

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2398428,00.asp

In addition, I purchased the 12″ high gain external antenna and we have been out on the road in some pretty remote places for the last 2 months and I have not lost 4G yet. For example right now we are outside boston without the Wilson on I get no cell or 4G within the bus at all. with it on I have 5 bars and life is good.

I am still working and we are going to be out for another 12 months or so and not having reliable fast internet isn’t an option… so far, I have been incredibly pleased with what I have. right now the antenna is mounted on the inside of the bedroom window not pretty but it works… I am going to have Marathon penetrate the roof and mount it perminately when I am there in October.

If you are interested in the wilson stuff I would give them a call… tell them exactly what you want to do and what carrier you use ( makes a difference on what system you get) they will give you all the part numbers you need and you can order most everything from Amazon or a local dealer and the stuff just works.

Good Luck

Bill