WeBoost questions/info thread

Packaging came in today

 

For those that need a switch:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cell-booster-project-aux-fuse-panel.441445/#post-24267086

 

Anyone else having issues with oscillation? I have the Drive Reach OTR Fleet 471254. I've tried every possible combination of internal and external antenna mounting. From behind my dash to the extreme opposite corner of the camper's prinsu rack, with and with out the two antenna extension pieces, and one directly over the other. When the unit turns on, it flashes back and forth between red and green. I've come to learn that means it is operating in reduced transmit power to prevent oscillation. The end result being that I have to have the transmit antenna practically touching my phone in order for it to increase my signal. The amp is supposed to come on solid green and stay solid green to get the 36" sphere inside the cab. If you're seeing red flashing at start up, you're having oscillation issues and reduced transmit power. Anyone else experiencing this?

 

What size tank is that propane? Is that the setup from front runner?

 

Or just get an InReach. No wires, no antennas, no wondering if you happen to be in an area where you can effectively boost the signal. Just worldwide sat comms that are cheaper than your cable TV subscription. Although it's harder to show off for the #gram without 6 different antennas on your rig.

Unlimited 2 way messages, SOS, and a bunch of other stuff for $50/month. Other plans are far cheaper (~$12/mo) and make more sense for the occasional user, but still want the security of global communication for when (not if) things go south.

 

1 gal propane tank. The mount is from frontrunner

 

Not sure if you work for Garmin or are trolling us, either way no worries

I don't use the weboost for off grid comms, although it helps. I use my GMRS radio and local repeaters if I'm in a situation.

Weboost is so I can work remotely using my 4G signal and Hotspot. And it works great

 

Network Cell Info Light

 

Isn’t that a 1 gallon tank, not 1lb?

 

Yes 1 gal, sorry typo

 

Why must I either have to work for Garmin, or I'm trolling? I don't even own an inReach, btw, I have no brand loyalty. The inReach is simply the most commercially available Sat Comm system out there right now. There's also Spot, though historically it's been much more limited in communications, though new generations are catching up.

I just don't think land based communication is the "ideal" solution, especially to be relied on in emergencies. Even in a city, cell towers go down due to fire or flood and all of a sudden we're in the dark ages again.

Weeboost is great for that purpose. It was designed specifically for truckers and RVers for that exact reason. It was not, however, designed as a wilderness "off-grid" communication device. The manufacturer themselves say that this device only boosts weak signal, so if there's no signal to begin with, it's a paperweight with an antenna.

Seeing that we're in the "Off-roading & Trails" sub-forum, I was responding to the idea of using this device for true off-grid "overlanding". I am simply cautioning those potential users to be weary of this type of device. I don't know about you but there are a lot of places where I go that have zero signal. I can drive 2 hours from my house and be in a place with zero signal. For those times that I needed to get a message out where there is at least some weak signal, I've always been able to send a simple text message. You don't need 4G for that.

My preference would be to have a single device that can work anywhere, rather than have a gear closet I have to fumble through to find the one that works for where I happen to be at the time. That doesn't really exist quite yet, so I have my cell phone which (if it weren't for the camera) would be left at home, and my handheld radio. If I ever get more into doing longer expeditions where consistent communication is more important, it's 100% going to be sat comm.

 

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Im not disagreeing with you. I live in the mountains of northern AZ and can be away from cell coverage within 5 min. Yes, you are right if there is no signal, the weboost is worthless. However if Im on an extended trip, or I want to travel (not as remote as usual) I use the weboost to boost what signal I have, and I can host meetings, join meetings and do web calls from my RTT. Also, sometimes I just want to watch a movie in my tent when its shitty weather outside and having a boosted 4G signal helps.

I would argue HAM and GMRS are just as reliable or more so than the InReach if you know how to use it. I used to have the spot device, but I hated how they lock you down into a contract so I killed it a year later.

Bottom line, many ways to skin the cat.

 

As I said, you use it exactly how it was designed, and I'm not arguing against that. I'm not even saying inReach could or should be used for what you're using WeBoost for. My point is it just seems this thread was trying to make it seem like this would be a good device to use for off-grid/off-roading, and I have my doubts about that, given the ease of being in places with zero signal. I'd hate to think I would need to rely on it for an emergency if I broke a transmission or had an injury, etc...

The thing with the Sat comm devices that I like is that there's no "if you know how to use it" caveat (could be important in an emergency), there's literally no such thing as "out of range", and you don't need an FCC license. Sure, there's a cost associated with it, but I pay more per month for my Nexflix account than it costs to have world-wide emergency communication.

It does definitely come down to philosophy, and what you want/need to use the various communication devices for. If you follow instragramers, you'd think we all need a long travel 3rd gen on 35s with an elaborate bed storage/camp kitchen system, an RTT, 2 tablets and 3 radios on the dash, and a HAM license just to head out to the Alabama Hills. I prefer a more simplistic approach, and question the idea that people need to be in constant contact when they're wheeling; radio, cell or otherwise. I see the type of communication that's most relevant to off-roading is that of emergency comms, and I don't see even HAM fulfilling that need the way GPS based messaging does.

 

I have an inReach and it works great. I also have an Iridium satellite phone and it's even better... but much more expensive. Nothing will beat satcom when it comes to reliability and coverage. If I'm ever in an emergency situation, I just make a phone call and send them my coordinates. No need to worry about somebody else hearing me over the radio or having cell service.

And I agree with you on the instagrammers! I always find it odd to see them driving around downtown fully loaded with gear. Nothing better than pulling up to dinner looking like a doomsday prepper.

 

That's what I like about the inReach or the Spot. The SOS button automatically sends your location to SAR. Pretty simple.

Just don't "accidentally" push the button, lol...

 

Saw this thread pop up the other day. Another satisfied WeBoost customer here.

I mounted the external antenna to a mount that I attached to the bedrail. With the spring and side exit adapter, I can easily remove it when not in use.

The actual unit is now located under the passenger seat.

The internal antenna is currently mounted inside the center console (between my leg and the cup holders) so that it isn't visible. I normally use my phone via bluetooth to the headunit. I have pictures of the external antenna mount on the WeBoost group buy thread that I ran last year. I'll go ahead and make a plug for alltechsource.com for hooking us up. If you care to support vendors who help out the community...give them a look.

I saw a pic earlier in this thread where a member has both antenna extensions mounted on the spring. It is recommended not to use more than 1 extension in conjunction with the spring. I found that the spring and one extension puts the antenna high enough above the cab that I get good results.

To whoever asked about the speed testing app, you only need an app if you are using an iPhone. Android will show you the signal strength in the settings/menu.

 

I bought MESO's Super Ultimate 3rd Brake Light "BD4-NMO" and use it with a weBoost Drive Reach Fleet.

The antenna wire runs through the headliner and the booster is under the driver's seat. I run the power through an add-a-fuse tapped to the wiper blades so it only has power when the truck's on.

 

Cool! I didn't know such a thing existed. Looks like they are sold out and it was a limited production item though...

2nd gen link: https://mesocustoms.com/collections...tacoma-3rd-brake-light?variant=21236720533617 (same scenario for 3rd gen)

 

I'm a little late to this thread and have read through all of it. I'm looking at getting the drive reach otr. My question is antenna placement. I saw where you cant have them on the same plane. What is working best? I have a prinsu rack, caliraised cb mount on the back of the truck, and bedrack w/ rtt. Any suggestions on where to mount outside antenna?

 

I'm not sure how much the same plane really comes into effect. My WeBoost and CB antenna are about the same height with nothing between them and I get good-to-great results. I think you are just supposed to have the internal and external antennas on different planes. But if the antenna is above the cab and the internal antenna is inside the cab, then you have no worries.

If it were me with your setup, I'd get a folding mount and put it on the Prinsu and just fold it down when not in use. I would not use any of the extensions, but I would locate it as far away from any other antennas just for the principle of it.