HiBoost Cell Phone Signal Booster For RVs

This started out as a simple review of HiBoost's cell phone signal booster for RVs but ended up as a tutorial on it's use and how to get the most out of it when the signal is really weak. At our off grid property we're lucky to get one bar of service and we tried to get an improvement with the HiBoost, hoping to at least be able to send texts reliably. At first we were disappointed and almost gave up, but we learned the trick and after a few trips out there we were able to make and receive phone calls!!! Anyone can see an improvement in signal strength, but what you learn from this video will help you when the signal is almost not there at all.

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Getting out on the road is what Linda and I love to do with our converted cargo trailer camper. We're part time nomads and the nomadic lifestyle suits us to a Tee. Whether your RV is a camper van, camp trailer, travel trailer, motorhome or just a car and a tent, there's going to be something interesting for you in the videos we produce. Back roads and overlanding are part of what we do while exploring the western states for beautiful, peaceful and sometimes remote places to camp on BLM and National Forest land (public land). Taking care of ourselves as much as possible and doing our own repairs is a must because we travel on a fixed income and a limited budget. If your into being off-grid and boondocking, or doing dispersed camping whenever possible then you'll appreciate the discussions on batteries, solar panels and solar chargers or power stations and 12v refrigeration. Come on along, we're happy to have your company!

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[tonyhunt]

Couple things Rick. Get the antenna up as high as the coax allows. Wont swamp out the receiving antenna. At those frequencies higher the better. Omni directional means it works poor in ALL directions. You might look at a directional antenna ( Yagi ) to replace the one you have for 1 to 2 more Bars. Seems to work as is just fine. Ham radio guy here. Congrats and enjoy your channel.

[Steve-Goff]

I enjoyed watching your trial and error. I like that it doesn’t have to be a permanent setup.

[tglenn]

Thank you. I wish the manufacturers would understand we dont read their mind in the design of this technology. I do not always have my 13 year old nieces around to guide me through my phone for knowledge and understanding. Great explanations in your presentation.

[chrislincoln]

My daughter has a new metal roof and can't use her phone in the house. She will love this Thank you.

[Albertwildhorseshoer]

Thank you once again for your effort to benefit we viewers with honest critiques of places, merchandise, ideas, and businesses you use on your trips. I like you two and your family.

[jeffreygraf]

Saved me a lot of grief and a possible trip for the unit to the garbage can. Thanks!

[jamesjackson]

I am all ways learning something looking at your videos.👍😎

[SamuraiMama]

Glad we were finally able to get it figured out and that you'll be able to use it on the road to keep those videos coming out and give your family peace of mind that we'll have better chances of reaching you, if needed.

[jim]

I enjoy watching you two guys wander around, enjoying life. My wife and I have done much the same for decades, but we travel on water via a small sailboat. I'm a long-time ham radio operator and use my ham gear along with my computer to send and receive email by radio to/from anywhere in the world.
Let me pass along some truths about how to significantly increase weak (cellular) radio signals which I've learned along the way.
With respect to signal strength, nothing, absolutely nothing, will beat a good antenna. In the cell phone and Wi-Fi world of 2.4 GHz, antennas are very small. An omnidirectional 2.4 GHz antennas can be -- most are hold-in-the-palm-of-your-hand small and will not be a "gain antenna". Your best possible solution to getting a strong signal for your new indoor cell phone signal amplifier is to purchase or make a DIRECTIONAL antenna to replace the omnidirectional antenna that came with the new signal booster. You're setting up in a fixed location in your cabin, so a highly directional gain antenna is good since you can ignore all cell phone towers other than the one tower that provides the signal at your site.
Once you mount a directional antenna on your mast (or are waiting to get one), you need to know what direction and what angle up or down to aim the antenna. The better the directional antenna, the more gain you have and the more carefully you'll want to aim it to enable it to do its best.
You must locate your closest cell phone tower. You can do this by searching online for free software that will help you find the physical location and altitude of the closest cellular tower for your cellular service provider, such as T-Mobile. You can also call your provider and ask them for the precise location of your closest line-of-sight tower. Get on Google maps to see where the tower is located relative to your fixed location, then rotate and tilt the antenna to aim directly at the tower, thus collecting as much signal as possible of that signal. Then watch your phone come to life!
It will help if you understand that antenna gain is specified in dB and that every 3dB of gain from your antenna means a doubling of signal strength to your amplifier. For example, let's say that you acquire or build a simple 9 dB gain antenna (antennas are commercially available with 25 dB of gain or more). The example 9 dB gain antenna will double the signal strength to your phones three times. Doubling the signal strength 3 times means it provides 2 X 2 X 2 increase in signal strength, or 8 times stronger. A 12 dB gain antenna will increase signal strength by 16 times! My best antenna when boating was an old parabolic satellite dish that was modified to receive 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signals. That antenna only worked properly when the boat was tied to a dock, thus allowing me to accurately aim my gain antenna. I could not use it while at anchor since the antenna was mounted on a boat that moved around constantly. I never calculated what the gain was, but it was very substantial and provided an excellent 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection. If my phone only had an external antenna connection (like in the early days of cellular phones), I could have used the antenna to connect to my closest cell phone tower. But, alas, external antenna connections on cell phones have gone away.
For those who are interested in this topic, you can find everything you need online. Search for high gain directional antennas (simple wire antennas are NEVER gain antennas). If you need a kick-start or help or both, hopefully you have a ham radio operator friend. They should be able to help you or will know who to ask. You can always attend a meeting of your local ham radio club and introduce yourself to members. Hams typically will volunteer to help if you ask.
Good luck!

[martykong]

Well DONE! Helpos MUCH as your method of persistence and setup made it work! Not so much for instructions, or lack of.... who would have thought, and returned it as no good... but now it seems worth it IF you know what you just shared.... Thanks again and all the BEST to both of you and family! Cheers :)

[mkkrafts]

I appreciate the step by step realistic set-up including the frustration. This is all good info!

[davidpettit]

I've been watching you two for a while now and this video finally convinced me to subscribe. Thank you for your time and energy in producing these vids, I have enjoyed each and every one. Looking forward to more!

[vincenzodemarco]

Oh Yes, a 'Have to Have' item without a doubt. I Need one of these. But as you said, one Must-Have at least One Bar for this to work. And Rick, you Did Describe Everything about How to install and How it functions Just Fine. Good Show. (I'm thinking what do we all need next??? A Sattalite System that 'Works-Anywhere' on the planet) I'm going to guess, that will be coming soon, but Not Soon Enough??? Thanks for the Good Review 👍🤗

[retiredguyadventures]

I have a cargo camper as well, and I use a Weboost Studio Lite cell booster. It works great. I have the directional antenna mounted on a 10' stick of pipe, and use an app to show where the tower is to line up the antenna. I place my cell phone next to the inside cell antenna as a hot spot to run my smart TV and computer. It works great. I have a couple of older videos about my cargo camper, but haven't made any in a while.

[tismyelevate]

Outstanding description of using the cell booster, as always appreciate your diligence on using products for us followers.👍🏽

[ccmccmCCM]

Thank you again for another great, informative video!

[amyslaughter]

Very informative. I have one and didn’t know about not pointing towards the outside omni antenna! Makes sense and explains my struggles sometimes. Thanks!

[kennethwilson]

I think you did a great job explaining the set up and hope you do follow ups reports in the future. You two have such fun travels keep rolling.

[douglasmckee]

Where I live in Oregon.
We have scrappy cell service.
A 30ft pole is what we have to receive.
Great video thanks

[teresaf]

I have to get this. Thanks for ALL the information. Glad you can make calls at the property!!