Cell Booster Install

[FlyboyTR]

Deb,
We used the system on our spring trip, 28 days and 8,300 miles. We mainly kept the amplifier in the truck and were very pleased with the results. Since we make a similar trip both spring and fall we could certainly tell a difference in the performance of our phones with the WeBoost turned on. I believe there were 6 or 7 nights where our signals in the camper was so weak we were unable to stream data for the computer and for watching TV. On these occasions I move the amplifier from the truck to the camper (remember I have antennas mounted on/in the truck as well as the TM). Once inside the camper, we were able to use our devices without issue. We did have two nights where we had zero cellular signal and in that case, the WeBoost did nothing...but we tried.

To keep from having to add an extension to the antenna coax, I moved the routing from the external TV antenna to basically straight left across the roof and came down the left exterior wall (in alignment with the forward lift strut). Ran the cable down the front left strut, and drilled a hole in the floor to get the cable inside the camper. By doing this, I did not have to use a cable extension. If your 2720 has the front living-room slide, you probably could NOT run the cable in through the floor as I did. In that case, coming down the rear wall/strut may be the only option.

While it is a bit of a pain to move the amplifier between the truck and camper...in reality, it only takes a couple of minutes. I remain very pleased with using this system. OH...only twice did I have to actually raise my TV antenna (which raised my WeBoost antenna and moved it from laying horizontal near the roof to standing vertically 18" above the TV antenna), to get enough signal to be able to use things. In those two cases, we were close to zero cell signal...but the WeBoost was able to make enough difference that we could get online with the laptop and watch a little streaming TV on those nights.

Again...I remain very pleased with this system, both in the truck and in the camper.

[Deb Mac]

Originally Posted by FlyboyTR

Deb,
We used the system on our spring trip, 28 days and 8,300 miles. We mainly kept the amplifier in the truck and were very pleased with the results. Since we make a similar trip both spring and fall we could certainly tell a difference in the performance of our phones with the WeBoost turned on. I believe there were 6 or 7 nights where our signals in the camper was so weak we were unable to stream data for the computer and for watching TV. On these occasions I move the amplifier from the truck to the camper (remember I have antennas mounted on/in the truck as well as the TM). Once inside the camper, we were able to use our devices without issue. We did have two nights where we had zero cellular signal and in that case, the WeBoost did nothing...but we tried.

To keep from having to add an extension to the antenna coax, I moved the routing from the external TV antenna to basically straight left across the roof and came down the left exterior wall (in alignment with the forward lift strut). Ran the cable down the front left strut, and drilled a hole in the floor to get the cable inside the camper. By doing this, I did not have to use a cable extension. If your 2720 has the front living-room slide, you probably could NOT run the cable in through the floor as I did. In that case, coming down the rear wall/strut may be the only option.

While it is a bit of a pain to move the amplifier between the truck and camper...in reality, it only takes a couple of minutes. I remain very pleased with using this system. OH...only twice did I have to actually raise my TV antenna (which raised my WeBoost antenna and moved it from laying horizontal near the roof to standing vertically 18" above the TV antenna), to get enough signal to be able to use things. In those two cases, we were close to zero cell signal...but the WeBoost was able to make enough difference that we could get online with the laptop and watch a little streaming TV on those nights.

Again...I remain very pleased with this system, both in the truck and in the camper.

Thanks Travis. So good to hear that it worked well for you. Yes, I have the front slide on my TM. But since it is a 2720, I might be able to use that rear strut. The shell would be a bit shorter than yours - maybe not enough to make it workable, but I can do some measurements.

Do you have a picture of how your antenna is mounted to the TV antenna? No rush. Just next time you might be up there. I have to close mine up shortly to do some maintenance on the gears (never been done by the PO from what I can tell - it is STIFF!!) and I will do some measuring. And I think mine is a little off-kilter TBH. Antenna wing just touches & sits on the edge of the street-side vent cover, so I may need to look into re-aligning the mount, if that is even possible. Also need to check the distance from the antenna to the ac shroud.

And thanks for that link to checking signal strength! Incredibly informative. Nice to actually have a way to check the real strength of my signal rather than looking for bars.

[FlyboyTR]

Originally Posted by Deb Mac

Thanks Travis. So good to hear that it worked well for you. Yes, I have the front slide on my TM. But since it is a 2720, I might be able to use that rear strut. The shell would be a bit shorter than yours - maybe not enough to make it workable, but I can do some measurements.

Do you have a picture of how your antenna is mounted to the TV antenna? No rush. Just next time you might be up there. I have to close mine up shortly to do some maintenance on the gears (never been done by the PO from what I can tell - it is STIFF!!) and I will do some measuring. And I think mine is a little off-kilter TBH. Antenna wing just touches & sits on the edge of the street-side vent cover, so I may need to look into re-aligning the mount, if that is even possible. Also need to check the distance from the antenna to the ac shroud.

And thanks for that link to checking signal strength! Incredibly informative. Nice to actually have a way to check the real strength of my signal rather than looking for bars.

My pleasure...glad you found it beneficial. My camper is open presently and I don't have any pictures showing the antenna mount. Basically I used three heavy cushion clamps (see link below) around the Weboost antenna mast. I drilled the top square tube that lifts the TV antenna and used two machine screws and nuts to attach the cushion clamps to the square tube. In hindsight...I don't think I would have changed a thing about the way I mounted the WeBoost antenna to the TV antenna.

Link for the Cushion Clamps: https://amzn.to/45LeGs0

Most hardware stores will carry these clamps. Take the antenna mast with you to get the right diameter clamp. You want it to compress tightly around the mast when you tighten things up. Hope this helps!

Travis

[Deb Mac]

Originally Posted by FlyboyTR

My pleasure...glad you found it beneficial. My camper is open presently and I don't have any pictures showing the antenna mount. Basically I used three heavy cushion clamps (see link below) around the Weboost antenna mast. I drilled the top square tube that lifts the TV antenna and used two machine screws and nuts to attach the cushion clamps to the square tube. In hindsight...I don't think I would have changed a thing about the way I mounted the WeBoost antenna to the TV antenna.

Link for the Cushion Clamps: https://amzn.to/45LeGs0

Most hardware stores will carry these clamps. Take the antenna mast with you to get the right diameter clamp. You want it to compress tightly around the mast when you tighten things up. Hope this helps!

Travis

Thanks Travis. I always wondered what those things were called! And ,Yes... it certainly does help.

[Deb Mac]

I have taken a page from Steve & Erica Lineberry’s youtube demo on their weboost install in their Casita, for my antenna installation.
Using a telescoping painters pole, mounted only temporarily when needed, rather than permanently on the TV antenna. Just works better for me.

I’ll be mounting it at the rear driver’s side corner using clamps. (Screws and 3M mounting tape) Not going with a 16’ pole though. 8’ extended and will really only end up about 4-6’ above the roof even at it’s highest extension. Easily set up when I’m going to need it, which isn’t that often.

Store the cable in the power cord space and feed it out through the mousehole. Run it in through the underbed storage cupboard, behind the drawers and up to the counter beside the stove. Keeps it all within the box, no worries about how to feed it around the shells and seals, and no drilling holes in the TM shells.

Plan is to run the 12V power directly from the overhead light feed, either the one over the stove or the one in the hallway, or if I see another easily accessible 12V source, I’ll use that. Just checked the length of the wiring on the 12V adapter and it’s 11’. Might just run it straight from the battery bay, though that is probably a bit too long. Store the pole (4’ collapsed) in the bumper, the antenna in the battery bay.
Haven’t determined exactly where I will mount the amplifier. Probably another removable mount - maybe on velcro on the ceiling between the wardrobe and the stove, since that’s where the power will be and the antenna wire is coming up.

Did a test of the set up today with the antenna just supported in place in the back. With the antenna at the back corner and the inside antenna at the front, I will have a better chance of avoiding feedback between them, which causes the booster to attenuate the signal from the inside antenna. Get the best chance for optimal signal.

Though I have a pretty decent signal where I live (telus tower right here in our little town only about 1-1/2 km away) I did get a decent boost in signal strength - from -107 to -85 dBm. So looks like will be a win. Once I have it all set up, I’ll update. Waiting for the clamps for the pole.

[FlyboyTR]

Originally Posted by Deb Mac

I have taken a page from Steve & Erica Lineberry’s youtube demo on their weboost install in their Casita, for my antenna installation.
Using a telescoping painters pole, mounted only temporarily when needed, rather than permanently on the TV antenna. Just works better for me.

Though I have a pretty decent signal where I live (telus tower right here in our little town only about 1-1/2 km away) I did get a decent boost in signal strength - from -107 to -85 dBm. So looks like will be a win. Once I have it all set up, I’ll update. Waiting for the clamps for the pole.

Deb,
Glad you were able to work things out to your satisfaction. As with all things, there are usually several different ways to achieve the desired effect. I had to chuckle a bit when you posted your dBm signal strength. Understanding that really helps to see what kind of a signal you actually have and how well the WeBoost is performing. Take care....and best wishes!

Travis