I just purchased a weBoost Drive X RV (471410) Cell Phone Signal Booster. I will mount the external antenna on the ladder.
Any suggestions on
1) the best location on a 26.5 Midbath model to run the antenna cable from the outside, into the rig
2) Then best location to mount the booster, ideally near an outlet
3) Best mounting location for the interior antenna
Appreciate your pointers!
I have a 99 26.5 mb and the Weboost Drive. I installed the antenna in the drivers side rear on the railing connected to the ladder, but on the drivers side so it would have less of a chance of hitting branches. I brought the cable over the the passenger side and came in the side wall, not the roof. I drilled a hole in the side coming into the storage above the sofa, passenger side rear. I then ran the cable into the closet. I mounted the booster in the closet and tapped 12 volts from the light outside of the closet door (fished wires from the lite to the closet, put a small hole in ceiling in closet.. I wanted mine to run off of 12v vs 120v. I couldn't see needing to take 12 volts up to 120 volts and then down to 5 volts which is what the booster uses. (unit came with to power supplies, one for 120v and one for 12v) I then ran the coax to the other antenna by coming out of the closet, over the exterior door, down by the curtain for the window near the table. We keep that antenna on the table near the window. I am not at home, so no pictures ATT.
I just purchased a weBoost Drive X RV (471410) Cell Phone Signal Booster. I will mount the external antenna on the ladder.
Any suggestions on
1) the best location on a 26.5 Midbath model to run the antenna cable from the outside, into the rig
2) Then best location to mount the booster, ideally near an outlet
3) Best mounting location for the interior antenna
Boosters have an interior antenna that the phone needs to be very close to. The antenna needs to be located where you primarily hang out when using the phone or its hot spot. When using the phone's hotspot, for our laptop or iPad, the phone sits right next to the antenna, for the strongest signal, move the phone a few feet away and the booster stops being effective. It's has a very short range so it does not produce feedback with the exterior antenna.
I usually bring the antenna wire into an overhead cabinet in either the lounge or above the dinette. 12-volt power is available inl the overhead cabinets, tap into a lighting fixture's power.
The roof penetration can be safely done using a marine thru-fitting, sealing it well.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/5315/6902605484_8120736685_c.jpg)
Larry
We installed our WeBoost trucker antenna on the mast of our wineguard TV antenna on our 98~MB. The antenna goes up and down with the TV antenna. Originally we ran the cable in the refrigerator vent and accross the ceiling next to the overcab bed curtin tract to the WeBoost which is mounted on the dinette cabnet next to the overcab bed. Recently we added a junction through box on our roof above the dinette cabnet and everything no goes through that box including rerouting the WeBoost cable. Now we have gotten rid of wires and cables running across the overcab bed area.
Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA
https://www.lazydazeowners.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=3892
https://www.lazydazeowners.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=3891
https://www.lazydazeowners.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=4422
Thanks so much for the suggestions! :)
I just purchased a weBoost Drive X RV (471410) Cell Phone Signal Booster. I will mount the external antenna on the ladder.
Any suggestions on
1) the best location on a 26.5 Midbath model to run the antenna cable from the outside, into the rig
2) Then best location to mount the booster, ideally near an outlet
3) Best mounting location for the interior antenna
Appreciate your pointers!
I poked a hole in my roof, put a vent cap around it (and obviously sealed the heck out of it with silicone) and then zip tied the antenna to the top of my TV antenna. That way I can get it a little higher when I raise my TV antenna.
I will let you know how the install goes. Thanks for providong me options!
I was thinking of getting one, and hope to do the tv antena mount like Karen & Liam.
However if you just got it, make sure to test it out without mounting it permanently. I've heard that the indoor antena can have interference with the outer one.
The cables should be long enough to just run them through the windows a couple days in different locations to find the best one for you.
Also about the need to have it near an outlet: You could get the DC adaptor, and run it off the batteries instead. For some reason weeboost doesn't include it for the RV version, but it does for the trailer version....
However if you just got it, make sure to test it out without mounting it permanently. I've heard that the indoor antena can have interference with the outer one.
The interior and exterior antennas should be as far apart as possible, to eliminate feedback. The interior antenna broadcast at low power to help with this issue. Its low power output requires using a phone or hotspot close to it for best results, Move away a few feet, it will become ineffective.
Larry
I know this has been discussed many times before, but it's worth mentioning again for newer members: it's not a good idea to use silicone sealant, especially outside. It doesn't hold up as well as other sealants, tending to develop microscopic cracks after a few years. But the real problem is when you need to replace it: nothing sticks to silicone--not even silicone!--and even after you scrape and scrub it off, it leaves an invisible residue that nothing will stick to. I have yet to find a solvent that will remove that residue. You pretty much have to get down to the bare metal to remove all traces of silicone contamination before you can apply a better sealant.
The Lazy Daze factory recommends against using silicone sealants, as do others. Instead, use a polyurethane sealant such as PR-255 or 3M 5200 to seal roof penetrations such as this one. You can find more information about sealants in this Lazy Daze Companion article (https://lazydazearticles.blogspot.com/search/label/sealants).
Thanks for the recs on the sealant! This online community is truly amazing!
I may consider the roof junction box solution above the dinnette cabinet.
The Weboost i purchased does have an adapter to tie into 12v power.
Another suggestion for those new to cellular antennas, boosters, etc…. The full-timer mobile tech gurus formerly posting as technomads have a new/renamed website called RVmobileinternet.com. This couple continues to impress me with the depth and breadth of their review and primer articles. Their section on antennas is up to date and thorough. Reading will make your head swim, for a while. However, it is important to understand the options before investing cash and labor (not to mention drilling holes in your coach).
Here is a link to their main page:
Internet for RV & Boats - Mobile Internet Resource Center (https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/)
Here is a link to their mobile antenna page:
Cellular Antennas - Mobile Internet Resource Center (https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/gear/cellular-antennas/)
Thank you Warren for the links!