Where to install antenna cell phone signal booster

[Marcel Huijser]

We are about ready to install a cell phone signal booster. Do you have any advise / experience regarding the installation of the antenna?

1. Location.
I think the best place is on the roof, towards the front of the vehicle. This gets it up high and also out of the way when we move things on the roof rack. Since we have a fixed high top, I think that it is perhaps best to attach it to the roof rack. What is your experience / suggestion for antenna location?

2. Folding bracket for antenna?
Our fixed top is high, especially with the roof rack. I worry about tree branches, perhaps also low bridges, if the antenna sticks up way above the roof rack. Perhaps a simple mechanism that allows for the antenna to "go horizontal" when you are in a place with low head clearance is the way to go? Any experience with making such brackets? Perhaps a bracket you can just change manually standing in the door opening?

Thanks, Marcel

[REF]

Usually the higher the better, I just got the new weboost 4G-M and found that the distance between the indoor and outdoor antenna was not far enough and I was getting flashing red lights telling me there was frequency modulation, or something to that effect. I needed to order an extension cable to be able to route the outdoor antenna towards the rear of the van, not ideal but I'll see if it works. For your application, I would try getting some good 3M double tape and mount it up on a flat section of your top, in front of the rack. The booster antenna's are usually only a few inches tall unless yours is different?


'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
RB "50" SMB
Quigley 4X4, Deaver's and RIP kit
CCV high profile pop top

[BroncoHauler]

Most antennas function best when atop a large flat metal ground plane. With a fiberglass roof, and a predominantly fiberglass hood, your performance won't be the best, but should be better than without a booster.


Herb

[Marcel Huijser]

Thanks for the suggestions and feedback REF and BroncoHauler!

[BroncoHauler]

A source for additional info:
https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/res...ular-boosters/

Herb

[BrianW]

Mine is on my cab roof, forward of the Penthouse, but I guess that doesn't help you with the high top. You could put it on your fender using a CB antenna fender mount. Not as ideal because it's lower down, but should be ok. As REF said, you do have to be careful with placement so the inside and outside antennas don't conflict with each other.

[Marcel Huijser]

Thanks BrianW!

[Wirehead]

Cell phone boosters are simplex amplifier/repeaters which means that the external antenna and the internal antennas are transmitting and receiving on the same frequencies. When they are too close to each other you will get oscillations (like feedback from a microphone to a speaker). At that time the amplifier/repeater will usually give a warning indicator and shut itself down (the red lights noted above).
Normal omnidirectional antennas broadcast in a doughnut shaped pattern which has most of the energy radiating from the sides but very little from the top and the bottom. The more vertical separation and isolation you can get from the upper external antenna and the inside internal antenna the better system will work.For example if you have your upper antenna mounted on the top of the metal roof of your van and the internal antenna directly below it and as low as possible you will have the least problems.
If you will only be using the system when stopped consider mounting your external antenna on some kind of extendable mast that you set up when you need it.

[Nick]

I reached out to the iboost when I installed mine, they suggested that I used 4inch sq piece of Steel and mount it on my Aluminess roof rack with a bracket. I did and it performed great. I also, just in case grounded the metal plate

[Marcel Huijser]

Thanks for the suggestions Wirehead and NicK!