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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Improved cell signal at our land
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WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 25 Jan 2021 11:13
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We have our cell plan through Verizon and at our land were lucky if we get 1-2 bars. I did some research on Amazon and found this cell booster. It's specific to band 13 which is what verizon runs on (not sure if it's area specific, but it's what we have here).

I then downloaded an app called FindTower so i knew what direction to point the antenna. The closest antenna is around 2.5mi from our place. I also downloaded an app called Speedtest so i could check before and after performance.

Well, to my amazement the unit actually works! You can see from the images below it doubled our download speed. While it's nowhere near the 450mbs we get at home, it's enough that i can actually stream youtube or netflix videos now. It's a 1-2 boost from where we were.

One thing i should note is that you have to have at least 1-2 bars to start. They claim if you don't have any signal to start, this product won't work. I can't attest to this claim so be aware.

I just mounted the antenna to some pvc conduit i had and zip tied it to our ladder. The antenna is maybe 12' off the ground. If after a couple more trips up there we find it's still working for us, i'll do a more permanent install.
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Nate R
Member
# Posted: 25 Jan 2021 11:32
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Interesting!
I'd be THRILLED to have 6 down and .4 up to begin with! Nearest tower for us is 7 miles. I can get signal most of the time if I go out onto our road. Otherwise it's very iffy to get any signal. If I was up a big higher, that'd help!

Good to see this worked for you, and for that price, much better than some others out there.

The other problem for us is that a lot of the nearby towers get clogged up on summer weekends, and data through the tower itself slows to a crawl, if at all.

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 25 Jan 2021 12:22
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Well, you could always order it and rig up a temp. mount like i did and see if it helps you. If not, just return it to Amazon.

I'll be curious how it does come spring/summer when the trees leave out. Might need to build a bigger tower!

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 25 Jan 2021 12:35
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We have next to no service with Verizon at our property. At&t we do however. No booster needed.

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