kcjaz
SILVER Star
Is this a bad idea? Seems to work with no interference with swingout. I know it would work better getting it mounted higher but I also don’t want it getting hit constantly with trees and I want to be able to get in my garage.
Cell booster antenna mount location
- Thread starter kcjaz
- Start date
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I’m not sure if all OTRs are affected, but I would put a bead of silicone on the top seam of the antenna.
Builds - The Big Bad Rad Dad LX (Dissent) Build - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/the-big-bad-rad-dad-lx-dissent-build.1208847/post-14474068
Builds - The Big Bad Rad Dad LX (Dissent) Build - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/the-big-bad-rad-dad-lx-dissent-build.1208847/post-14474068
cboyd
GOLD Star
i saw some coverage from Overland Expo that showed the rep from WeBoost saying they were releasing some kind of "fold over" system "by the end of the year" (really - why taken/taking so long) for getting it higher on the roof...
at trip to HamRadio outlet would likely find you enough parts to do something before then...
i think the main issue would be RF shadows from the vehicle - ie if the tower were located somewhere 8 o'clock - 12- o'clock from the perspective of the vehicle front - you wouldn't get the benefit of the booster, and you might actually get worse performance if the mobile is latched to the booster.
at trip to HamRadio outlet would likely find you enough parts to do something before then...
i think the main issue would be RF shadows from the vehicle - ie if the tower were located somewhere 8 o'clock - 12- o'clock from the perspective of the vehicle front - you wouldn't get the benefit of the booster, and you might actually get worse performance if the mobile is latched to the booster.
prharper
GOLD Star
There is a thread or two on this forum about different mounting options for the Weboost antenna.
I used a Rhino Rack mounting bracket attached to the roof rack that folds down when not in use. Works good.
I used a Rhino Rack mounting bracket attached to the roof rack that folds down when not in use. Works good.
The question is how often does one really drive in a "heavily forested" trail . Now the garage is another thing.
I had mine mounted like this for a short time on my GX build. The problem I ran into was at freeway speeds the antenna would sway quite a bit b/c of the spring at the base and sometimes the antenna would slap the truck on a rebound. Not saying it won't work, just be aware...
I did the same thing. Mounted to my roof rack so I can still park in the garage but also maximize it's height when out and about.
kcjaz
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #9
Yup. Can confirm this is an issue. Went to Minnesota and back (~1200 miles) and it wagged all over the place. It didn't hurt anything but wasn't good. I moved it to my accessory tray and built a small structure out of scrap aluminum I had on hand to raise it up and let me shorten the "whip".
It’s pretty steady at 80 mph in this location
I do - a lot actually. And I’ve got the pinstripes to prove it. Living in the PNW, our trails become overgrown with pretty amazing speed - especially years like this one with higher than average rainfall. In fact, just last weekend I was on a trail and visited a campsite that I was on just a little over a year ago. There was so much growth that it was unrecognizable! I only knew that I was definitely in the same place because I’d bookmarked the coordinates.
kcjaz
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #11
Same. Ultimately, I will either add some kind of "telescoping" feature to my new bracket or maybe just make another lower mounting point that I can switch too when needed. Or, when in my local offroad areas, I don't really need the booster, I may just take it off and throw the antenna in the back.
Here’s better pics where mine ended up with the comet rs-840
The 840 joint is indexed, so it can’t be vertical in both planes.
I went with tipped out at first (about 5 deg off vertical), and got some yo-yo/ wind buffet (though it never hit the rig).
Now it is about 10deg off toward inward, and it doesn’t move at all.
Also mostly out of the way if the brush around here which can be ridiculous.
The base of the can is at roofline.
The 840 joint is indexed, so it can’t be vertical in both planes.
I went with tipped out at first (about 5 deg off vertical), and got some yo-yo/ wind buffet (though it never hit the rig).
Now it is about 10deg off toward inward, and it doesn’t move at all.
Also mostly out of the way if the brush around here which can be ridiculous.
The base of the can is at roofline.
kcjaz
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #13
Went out last weekend with local club to an off-road park in Mart Twain National forest. As I figured, antenna take a beating. I had to take my weboost antenna off and zip tie it lower. I added a “down scope” mode to my mount:
Also, the mast joint by the spring came loose and I JB welded it back together. Really wagged around at 85 mph coming home from the weekend.
Also, the mast joint by the spring came loose and I JB welded it back together. Really wagged around at 85 mph coming home from the weekend.
Take the spring off to reduce/eliminate the "wagging".
I've tried a few different options. In the end, I'm using a simple magnet antenna. I've had the trucker antenna mounted 3 ft high above the roofline and honestly it doesn't make enough of a functional difference in the end. I can measure 1-3 db more gain, but that doesn't translate to benefits in connectivity. It won't create connection where there is none. And no more bars swapping antennas in field.
If there is a meaningful upgrade for camp, get a directional yagi antenna that can be pointed. These make huge differences and will create reception where there is none. Feels like I have 3-5 times the reach of an omni/trucker antenna. If you can get this on a mast high up, that's even more range. I'm actually posting now in camp with high speed streaming cellular, where no one else has reception.
If there is a meaningful upgrade for camp, get a directional yagi antenna that can be pointed. These make huge differences and will create reception where there is none. Feels like I have 3-5 times the reach of an omni/trucker antenna. If you can get this on a mast high up, that's even more range. I'm actually posting now in camp with high speed streaming cellular, where no one else has reception.
Yeah, I have the Weboost Reach that came with the mini mag. I think the current versions come with the shark fin style mag. I think they're about equivalent.
I got a trucker antenna kit separately hoping it would increase reception but it didn't.
The thing with a yagi is to know exactly where to point it.
True. It's not bad though and I can find the sweet spot in about 30 seconds of pointing and watching the bars on the cell phone. Typical yagi's have about a 45 degree beam width.
I start by testing 90 degree quadrants. Then work the quadrant that has the strongest potential in maybe 30 degree sectors. Doesn't usually need better than that.
It's the white triangular looking thing on top of my camper and could be pretty easily adapted for stationary camp use.
Starlink is another great more robust option these days if one is okay with the subscription cost, bulkier antenna, and higher power draw (~100W compared to Weboost Reach ~20W).
