WeBoosted it for the gram - Five Minute Friday

In this Five Minute Friday we dig into the cellular world and look at the WeBoost 4G-X OTR cellular signal booster. We've been using our WeBoos for about six months now on and off road and have came to love the freedom it gives by keeping you connected longer. Perfect for those working on the road this little device extends the rage of your cellular service by boosting the signal and broadcasting it back.

WeBoost 4G-X OTR

Make sure you check out our documentary series "One Lane Road"

Help support us on Patreon

Check out or Lexus overland build

[UpintheAir.stream]

OTR it stands for Over the Road, like Over the Road Trucker. It is designed to meet the truck driver market.

[rmwallis]

Awesome idea using the ram mount, prob gonna steal that, thanks!

[drock]

What antenna mount do you use to connect to your rack?

[SHWELL]

Finally, someone giving an honest Review of this tech and what the expectation is. So many folks think this thing is like a Hotspot, or that it magically creates signal where it isnt. Good stuff as usual!

[ChrisJohnsoncaj]

get a wi-fi router that includes wi-fi wan connection. Just connect the router to the weboot then connect all your devices to the wi-fi LAN and you have standard wi-fi that covers inside and a decent distance outside your vehicle.

One detail most people miss with Cell Boosters is that they typically only have one radio. most phones use a multi-radio technology called Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO). MIMO doesn't work with a single radio cell booster. You should always check the native cell tower signal on your device first; if it is enough to connect it will typically still be a faster connection than the boosted signal since multiple radios provide more throughput than a single radio using the same amount of signal.

[howtofamilywithlove]

More of the GX470!!! You are great. Don't question yourself.

[nateb]

Sounds like you've been through Oregon. Did you try this thing out in the coast range? Being at the bottom of a drainage with 0 bars I'm assuming it won't work. But something so I don't have to drive 40 minutes and 1200' higher to make a call would be awesome

[bkadventure]

Getting ready to install my Drive Reach OTR. I would love to hard wire this and add it to my switch system. In the video it looks like you added it to a switch. Did you need to purchase a separate cable? What part and where purchased? Thanks for any info. Great video.

[donald]

Do you have any problems with the ram mount while driving? Thank You!

[michaelenfp]

Another good discussion and I especially like where you located the internal antenna. From the WeBoost install manual, it calls for manual power (meaning one needs to insert into a 12v receptacle, as needed, to get power). Did you hard wire for "always-on, " hardware with a switch, or something else? The video showed you mounted your external antenna in two (2) locations. I favor mounting to the rack and wanted to ask about your experience with mounting and if there was any difference in performance between the rack versus the rear antenna mount.


On a related note, I have used a wireless travel router, (HooToo TripMate Nano) to create a private WiFi zone. Tiny, light, solid-state, and just works. (And no, this is not an endorsement, I purchased a used one and travel with it all the time.) Was just thinking that IF I got "sufficient" signal to a remote location, I should be able to use my router with it too.

[davidm]

The spec on the OTR antenna states gain as 2.5 to 3.5 dBi, the gain on the 12.5" mag mount (item 311125) is higher at 2.1 to 5.5 dBi. The mag mount antenna req a metal roof, as a ham operator I can say that I would take the latter..a good ground plane (or a yagi) and put it on my metal roof for $19 (antenna only) vs the $109 the OTR antenna alone costs. The included cabling on the OTR is higher loss than if you could swap it for rg-58 or better but it's affixed, good luck repairing damage. I own the Drive 4G-X, adding the 12.5" tall mag mount (311125) and picking up a yagi (314411) and coax soon. 73, David

[Hydrostream]

Smart phone's need antenna plug in adapters. Like the old flip phones did. ...my old flip phone. .if had .one bar....then plug in antenna. .then it went to..3 or 4 bars...

[henryvu]

Great video. Keep up the good work. I recently picked up a WeBoost Drive Reach with the OTR antenna. I like your ram mount idea. Can you let me know which ram mounts pieces did you use?

[kuyababoy]

Any more footage of that awesome 4runner?!!

[jasonev]

What’s the name of the ram mount you used?

[Steve-yupq]

Waiting for overland memes to chime in 😁

[juliogonzalez]

Is there a monthly fee for the antenna?

[MmmmmmmmmmmMm]

Liked for the 470 more than the video tbh

[OWK]

IMHO Weboost is WAY overpriced: You have to be within 36" of the booster spreading brain damaging cellular. If you had just an antenna and the coaxial cable and you slapped the back of your phone against the wire it would be just as good as using it with the stupid booster. (This is what third worlders do.) So the heart of any cell boost system is the antenna. How come no one has ever busted open a Weboost antenna or two? I want to see what's inside. Just curious. There is good info on YouTube and the internet on how to build your own coat hanger or Yagi antenna--even specs on how distant the tines should be for what Mhz of signal. You can also buy cheap antenna off Ebay or Aliexpress, and more expensive ones elsewhere, but it's best to know what type you need. If you are mobile it is different than if you are in one place where you can get the right antenna for the MHz and direct it the right way. You need a multi-MHz/signal antenna and some kind of an extending pole for propping up your antenna to get a signal when you stop, and then just some coaxial cable and a phone perch at the end of the cable. You can't make as much coin on the links to products maybe, but there could be links.