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Old 01-15-2017, 02:17 PM   #1
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Antenna Options

I am having a little trouble with two of the options on our build sheet. They are:
• Customer-supplied Cell Phone Antenna
• Customer-supplied WIFI Booster

When I asked, Tammy told me that most customers that select these options install the Wilson 4G cell phone antenna, and the Ranger WIFI Booster.

My wife and I would both like to have access to cell phones and WIFI as much as possible, so both options are attractive. Also, we are currently planning to get the Jack TV antenna, and have ETI install it.

I need to decide:
1. Do I want the Wilson and Ranger products, or something else?
2. Do I want ETI to mount them permanently on the roof, or figure out a mast mount myself?
3. If I use a mast, how do I get the cables where they need to go?
4. If I use a mast, should I put the Jack antenna on it too?

I would appreciate any advice or recommendations I can get from anyone who has already researched these options, or actually done some of them.

Thanks!
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Old 01-15-2017, 04:08 PM   #2
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Guess it depends on how much work you want to do. Using a mast would improve reception at the expense of setup time and carrying around the equipment not permanently installed. I have the Weboost (wilson) permanently installed by me, and the JACK installed by ETI. I believe they, and the Ranger, are about as good as you can get. Don't know if you can put all 3 on the same mast, may be interference issues.
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Old 01-15-2017, 04:19 PM   #3
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Guess it depends on how much work you want to do. Using a mast would improve reception at the expense of setup time and carrying around the equipment not permanently installed. I have the Weboost (wilson) permanently installed by me, and the JACK installed by ETI. I believe they, and the Ranger, are about as good as you can get. Don't know if you can put all 3 on the same mast, may be interference issues.
I thought long and hard about using a mast, and in the end decided to go that way for a few reasons. For starters I can imagine each antenna getting used about 10% of the time, but certainly handy when needed. As well, I was not keen on the TV antenna on top of the trailer, especially given the technology will change. The cell phone antenna is not to overbearing on the roof. From what I have seen a WiFi booster antenna is quite big. Hopefully I made the right call for my situation, only time will tell. Good 'ol quick plug 'n play has it's merits, for sure.
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Old 01-15-2017, 06:15 PM   #4
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Thanks.

How did you get the cables into the trailer, and where did you put the electronics?
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Old 01-15-2017, 06:37 PM   #5
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Thanks.

How did you get the cables into the trailer, and where did you put the electronics?
As mentioned elsewhere, I plan to use a hatch like the one in the photo below. This way all electrical connections are in one place. This will be placed somewhere on the rear and into the rear dinette bench where the gadgets will be placed, like solar controller, WiFi repeater, cell phone booster, etc. The list of ports I am considering are;
  • WiFi in from antenna
  • Cell phone in from antenna
  • Coax cable in, from either campground supplied cable or my antenna
  • Portable solar in
  • DC port out for whatever I may want to plug in. Recently realized it could be for a trickle charger in too.
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Old 01-15-2017, 06:54 PM   #6
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Photo?
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Old 01-15-2017, 07:01 PM   #7
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In my case with my 17, I had Escape add a cell antenna & a Wilson Sleek (now Wilson WeBoost). I have since replaced the antenna to cover some of the newer cell frequencies, and suggest that the placement of the antenna & antenna wire run be done so that it can easily be replaced. New frequencies are appearing all the time.

I also added a Ranger Mini WiFi amplifier.

I have a 21 on order, and will send them a WirEng Boat Antenna, which has an antenna connector, making it easier to replace it for the cell booster, but will not have them install a WiFi Ranger system. I found I use it so rarely that instead I will purchase a Ubiquiti NanoStation or bullet on an outside mast for those rare times I need to extend WiFi coverage. A bit more difficult to set up than the WiFi Ranger products, but far less expensive, and just as (or more) powerful.
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Old 01-15-2017, 07:04 PM   #8
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Wilson Sleek cradle and 4G Trucker antenna here. Works well. There are many setups that will work for you.
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Old 01-15-2017, 07:14 PM   #9
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Quote:
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Photo?
Oops, sorry.

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Old 01-15-2017, 07:22 PM   #10
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Jefa Tech has come out with a new WiFi Repeater. I had talked them a while back, before this solution came out, and they were extremely helpful.

JEFA Tech: JEFA Tech WiFi Repeater System XR
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Old 01-15-2017, 07:33 PM   #11
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The one thing you can count on is that things will change. So, before you install that eight-track, read this:

Norway to End FM Radio Broadcasts
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