Group Buy (Extended): WeBoost and Wilson Pro Cell Boosters - Current discount valid til Feb 28, 2021

I'm ready to order. Please send me the code if this is still available..

Thanks,

John

 

I believe I have replied to all PMs and sent ones to all who have requested.

If I missed anyone, please let me know!

 

Right on! In my dealings with AllTechSource.com, the guy seems to be on point. From a vendor relationship standpoint, I genuinely get the feeling that he wants to do right by every customer. That seems rare these days, so I am definitely in favor of giving them more business.

I finally got mine hooked up yesterday and ran some tests and was blown away by the increase in speed on my phone. Granted, I was just sitting still in my driveway, but I'm now considering getting one of them for the house so that I don't have such poor reception on phone calls. The real test will be the next time I drive to visit my inlaws....

 

This is a solid discount better than anywhere else. Also getting amazing response from them. I put in the quote request for the drive reach fleet model, about 11pm Sunday night and 15 min later got an email with purchase link.

 

Some screenshots as promised.

After I made a comment on another member's post about signal strength, I received a PM from someone giving me a more technical explanation of how to measure signal strength. I think my comment was something along the lines of "So you went from 2 bars to 5 bars for the laymans like myself." Regardless, it seems as though the number of bars is not a good measure of signal strength as it can vary by phone (i.e. iPhone vs Samsung vs LG, etc.). For those who want to dive into a little more, here's the article: https://www.weboost.com/blog/how-to-test-signal-strength-on-your-phone

For those who don't want to read the article, I'll summarize. Signal strength is measured in decibels, much like that of sound. However, it isn't the same dB as sound, but rather dBm. Don't ask what the m stands for. If you cared that much you'd have read the article. but the closer to 0 the better.

Before turning on my WeBoost Drive Reach OTR Fleet model, I was pretty constant at -110 dBm. As you can see on my phone, I had approximately 2 bars (again, arbitrary and not a good measure). This dBm measurement was not constant. It fluctuated a bit. The worst that I saw was -114 dBm and the best was probably -97 dBm. Regardless, -110 dBm seemed to be the "return to normal" after brief changes in signal strength either direction, so that's what I'm going to use as my baseline for the un-boosted signal.



After powering on the booster, it seemed to be pretty consistently -76 or -77 dBm.



So that's an overall improvement of about 34 dBm. and a 38 dBm improvement if you go from worst to best.

I found that signal strength was best when the phone was within about 3" of the internal antenna. My WeBoost owners manual calls for mounting the internal antenna 18 to 16" away from the intended use area of the phone. I did find signal improvement in this range, but not as good as the 2-3" area.

I often find myself using the Bluetooth in my truck and keeping my phone in the cupholder area of the center console. I think I'm going to permanently mount the internal antenna in the area below the AC controls.

 

Oh, I also used one of the antenna extensions and the side exit mount with the spring.



It's a pretty tall setup, but I figured it would be best to have it above the cab for best results. I'm going to look into a folding mount so that I don't have to keep it upright the entire time. As it is now, I can't get into my garage.

 

Keep us posted on that folding mount. I would be very interested in this so I can keep it hidden at times.

 

Is it too late to get in on this? If not please PM me.

 

Pm sent

 

PM sent.

PM replied.

 

I'm interested, please, thanks. *** Also, if anyone is looking at Amazon, I believe the antenna is an older model.

 

If looking at the Drive Reach OTR Fleet, yes AllTechSource includes the 4G-OTR antenna. I am not an expert but I know some stuff, and can read spec sheets. Per Wilson Electronics (WeBoost mfg)


Main booster units are same other than these specs (I don't claim to know anything they don't list)
Drive-X (newer):
5V*4.5A = 22.5W
Bands 12, 17, 13, 5, 4, 2, 25
Connector SMA
weight 1.80lb

Drive Reach:
6V*2.5A = 15W
Bands 12, 17, 13, 5, 4, 2
Connector SMB
weight 0.77lb


Drive-OTR antenna (newer):
Wind rating 311mph
Height 7.5-40"
Cable 16'
Gain 1.4-3.1dBi
VSWR <2:1
max power 10W
Freq includes 2300-2700Mhz (not listed as bands used by either booster)
lists a MIL-STD for shock and vibration

Drive-4G antenna (group buy fleet option):
Wind rating 140mph
Height 17-45"
Cable 15'
Gain 2.5-3.5dBi (maybe better or same depending on band)
VSWR<1.7:1 (better)
max power 50W (higher)

I don't plan to drive through a tornado to hit the 4G-OTR wind rating of 140mph. Maybe an EE can clarify if any of the fragmented details on the beamwidth makes a difference. The higher band freq of the Drive-OTR antenna is not listed under either booster unit. I just don't see a reason to feel bad about buying a fleet kit with the Drive-4G antenna, which I got.

Also note this group buy is a better price than Amazon, and there are several packages to choose from if you prefer one booster or antenna combination (or price) over another.

 

Wow! That was quite the response. I THINK I was just asking for a PM, like everyone else. I also knew this was a better deal. BTW... I'm super stoked for you.

 

I over think things, possibly. Above is what I figured out when trying to decide what to get and the differences in gains comparing other antennas. Side note, my plan is the drive-X fleet model antenna for the truck, then get a spare magnetic mount antenna, and probably extra interior for a 2nd vehicle depending on how well I hide the cable. My wife won't allow the higher gain pole antenna on her car, and doesn't want a permanent antenna on the roof. Then I will just use move the booster between the vehicles depending on what I am doing.

$30 weBoost Drive Magnetic Outside Antenna w/SMB Connector (311215) | Designed for use with weBoost in-Vehicle Boosters,Black

https://www.amazon.com/weBoost-Magnetic-Connector-311215-Designed/dp/B08B7SCJ1P
https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Reach-Vehicle-Antenna-Connector/dp/B07VPGLPJ6

 

Got mine installed this morning.


This will NOT be the antenna mount that I will keep. I plan on switching it out for either a powered model, or a folding one.


Installed mine under the pax seat, and used the power supply plugged into the center console. This will also be replaced. I have a hardwired power supply coming, and this will be wired to a switch in one of the empty switch blanks soon.

I routed the internal antenna from under the seat to the center console body, up forwards to behind the HVAC/head unit, and out the top of the DIMM so that it rests on the top of the dash.

The external antenna wire was routed down the front side of my roof rack, and then tucked into the windshield channel down into the engine bay, under the body, and up into one of the grommets on the floor. I ran the tail of the cable under the carpet to one of the OEM cutouts, and then attached the connector to the amp unit.

Once I powered it up, I got 2 bars of improvement, which is pretty good here at home where at times I have 1 bar.

Anybody know a good rack-friendly antenna mount that folds down?

 

Maybe I’ll do this instead of grabbing 2...

 

PM sent.

I'm in the same boat. Though I'm pretty sure I could put the magnetic shark fin looking antenna on her car and it wouldn't be an argument.

I'm looking at options too.

 

@llod did a fold down style mount using a RAM ball mount. He goes over it his Comms part 1 video.

 

If that actually held up in slipstream I would be amazed. RAM mounts can usually be moved just by hand, much less 70MPH wind pushing against a milk jug 17" over the roofline.

 

That's true. It might be more for when he isn't on the move. There is one that folds down, made by Front Runner, but no idea as to how that would mount up on any rack besides the Front Runner one itself.