Twas a busy week for mods on the 16DB

[whoofit]

[quote timestamp="1429267791" author="@whoofit" source="/post/9493/thread"]

[font size="3"]Interesting that RS is cheaper than Amazon. Device looks interesting. It would eliminate having to put the phone in the Sleek cradle. That's not usually a problem for us since we mainly use the Sleek/iPhone as a WiFi hotspot for computers and iPads
[/font][/quote][p]We will do the same, serve a Hotspot. If the Sleek could charge our phone effectively it would be good. We have one samsung S4 that I know it will not charge correctly.[/p][p]
[/p][p]This one seems to be a hotspot and booster for up to 4 devices. I will take business calls too. The indoor antenna range of this one is only a couple feet at best so not much better than a cradle but still enough to eliminate speakerphone or headset.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Called a local RS last night. They have one in stock. They will not price match this internet only pricing....
[/p]

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/9495/thread" author="@charliem" timestamp="1429268486"][font size="3"]
Is this thread drifting??
[/font][/quote]No, you forgot to chock the wheels... (rofl)

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/9501/thread" timestamp="1429271007" author="@whoofit"][p]If the Sleek could charge our phone effectively it would be good.
[/p][p]
[/p][/quote][font size="3"]The Sleek has a extra connector for phone charging, but it's just a 5V feed-through. Just as easy to hook up a separate cable to the phone. I have a hook on the wall to hang the Sleek with the phone mounted. Two USB charge cables run to a two port 12V USB charger. Everything runs on 12V. One advantage of the cradle vs rebroadcast antenna might be antenna isolation. The repeater is sensitive to inside/outside isolation so the cradle antenna might be lower gain. Don't know. Poor isolation could cause receiver desensitization and/or TX power reduction. This is a case where the aluminum box may actually help.

Someday I might upgrade the roof antenna to a multiband gain antenna, but with 3G/4G and now LTE, what bands? Just lost another 20% organic processing speed thinking about it.
[/font]

[daplumbr]

I could write a small treatise on cell boosters, since we use one at our cabin, one in our car, and one here at home. All of them are not compliant with the new May 2014 FCC protocols. Although grandfathered in legally, technically they are "old" and I'm looking into buying  at least one new one that is compliant and can be registered with the carriers. Right now I'm getting the best information from the 3gstore and from www.technomadia.com. That last site is testing mobile cell boosters and I'll probably take their advice. I'm leaning toward the new "Drive" models from Wilson (now WeBoost), with upgraded antennas. http://3gstore.com/product/5654_weboost_drive-4g-m_470108.html. Expensive, but if I can use it in all 4 locations where we need it (cabin, car, trailer, home), it will be worth the investment. Antennas are crucial to the whole boost thing, so pay particular attention to type and location when you're researching this. 

[daplumbr]

And special note to Charliem.....antennas are where knowledge of dB's is golden. As a side note, my dad was a professor of electrical engineering, so I grew up with a basement full of silliscopes and power supplies that caused some fancy (and involuntary) dance moves if you weren't careful. 

[whoofit]

[p]Well, I went with this one:  http://www.radioshack.com/wilson-dt4g-smartech-iii-amplifier-kit/1710327.html#q=signal%2Bbooster&start=10. It is also on sale for $280 right now probably because it is not one of the newer WeBoost labeled ones. I went to a store in NH where they price matched the online price plus I saved sales tax. Bought some other items as well.

I like that it has:
A directional antenna both indoors and out. Will probably add a switched external Omni for it.
Adjustable gain to combat sillation....
Works untethered for the full length of the trailer.
External antenna has multiple mounting options including mast mount.[/p][p]Ability to use RG-6 wiring already present in the trailer if desired.[/p][p]Runs on 5V 2.5A already present in the trailer.[/p][p]Little blinky lights you can change between black, red,  orange and....wait for it....GREEN![/p][p]
[/p][p]I am very impressed with it's performance. When I have placed the external antenna in less than optimal areas, optimized placement of the internal antenna and adjusted the gain I have observed -35dBm improvements consistently in 4G. Though 1x is always decent in the trailer in the back yard it still improved by -20dBm. That's two little Snickers bars if 'ya didn't already know it.[/p][p]
[/p][p]But the throughput in 4G went from 1-2 Mbps or worse to 6-7 Mbps or better using Ookla Speed Test. From -101dBm to -65dBm.[/p][p]
[/p][p]My wife will be pleased while streaming Pandora music. I will be pleased with AM talk radio on IHeart Radio. We couldn't do this before even in suburban campgrounds. Not even on WiFi  though we were close to their WiFi antennas. Which brings up the next project.  A WiFi antenna. Same mast for a mini farm.[/p][p]
[/p][p]By the way Charlie, they recommend a 20' separation between the indoor and outdoor antennas. I found this to be not required because of the aluminum cage we chose. 
[/p]

[whoofit]

Mounted a Stromberg Carlson TR-1 rigid spare tire carrier to the rear bumper yesterday. This in order to bring my tongue weight down to acceptable levels on our micro sized tow vehicle with a max tongue weight of 350lbs. It is a solid no flex option. There will be no issues with the rear bumper. Tip: pad the bumper out on both sides so as not to crush or dent the bumper.

Mounting a flag pole/antenna mast to it. Gotta fly those colors, folks.

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/9545/thread" timestamp="1429352422" author="@whoofit"][p]I like that it has:[/p][p]
A directional antenna both indoors and out. Will probably add a switched external Omni for it.
External antenna has multiple mounting options including mast mount.[/p][p][font color="e6193d" size="3"]Next up a 12V antenna rotor??
[/font][/p]
[p]That's two little Snickers bars if 'ya didn't already know it.[/p][p][font color="e6193d" size="3"]You must have some Android machine. The iPhone uses Oreos.
[/font][/p][p]
[/p]Not even on WiFi  though we were close to their WiFi antennas. Which brings up the next project.  A WiFi antenna. Same mast for a mini farm.
[font color="e6193d" size="3"]Don't waste your time on CG WiFi. It's usually not the WiFi RF connection, but the thin pipe from CG to the Internet. I swear some CGs are using dial up.[/font]
[p]
[/p][p]By the way Charlie, they recommend a 20' separation between the indoor and outdoor antennas. I found this to be not required because of the aluminum cage we chose.[font color="e6193d" size="3"] Yep. The well known aluminum can effect, first documented by Mr. Faraday   
[/font][/p][/quote]

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/9548/thread" author="@charliem" timestamp="1429355199"]
[quote source="/post/9545/thread" timestamp="1429352422" author="@whoofit"]
Not even on WiFi  though we were close to their WiFi antennas. Which brings up the next project.  A WiFi antenna. Same mast for a mini farm.
[font color="#e6193d" size="3"]Don't waste your time on CG WiFi. It's usually not the WiFi RF connection, but the thin pipe from CG to the Internet. I swear some CGs are using dial up.[/font][font color="#0c0d0c" size="3"][em]I will see how this goes. In the winter we were the only ones in the CG, had decent speeds outside but terrible connectivity inside. Will look more intensely at this option.[/em][/font]
[/quote][/quote]

[whoofit]

Finally got out camping again after a few weeks. The results of my labor and investment are extremely pleasing. It was so worth it. Sitting here at the dinette overlooking a full running brook instead of the reefer is priceless. Need to get the floor covered though. At 40F the dinette floor is icey.

The DT4G is great. Without boost we have 2 mbps down and .05 up. With boost we have 6 down and 3 up. Having said that I am presently on CG WiFi at 16 down and 10 up. This place has a good antenna network and connection.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Sounds like overall success. Isn't it nice when a plan comes together? Re the WiFi, you must be alone at the CG again...........
[/font]

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/9562/thread" timestamp="1429445905" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]Sounds like overall success. Isn't it nice when a plan comes together? Re the WiFi, you must be alone at the CG again...........
[/font][/quote]It is a beautiful thing, charlie. Very satisfying. We are early on Sunday morning here and there are only sleepers so far. Lots of tenters. I'm sure it' ll slow down soon enough. But we'll be on mountain when that haapens.

[uscg]

Whoofit,
I hate my sofa, I wanted the dinette model, but the camper I bought had a ridiculous low price due to sitting on the lot so long.  I have always had the thought of taking it somewhere and getting it changed.  Now I see your post, and have been looking at some of these pictures, and the outstanding job you did, and thinking that I am going to have to do something this fall when I get home.

First off, how hard was that project? I am not a medal guy and I thought of disassembling as little as possible, and then reframe it/support it in wood.  I also was not planning on using the sofa (although you tied that in well) I was planning on getting either boat seats or van seats, you know something you can really plant your butt in.    

Secondly, did you have to relocate the water pump?

[whoofit]

Whoofit,
I hate my sofa, I wanted the dinette model, but the camper I bought had a ridiculous low price due to sitting on the lot so long.  I have always had the thought of taking it somewhere and getting it changed.  Now I see your post, and have been looking at some of these pictures, and the outstanding job you did, and thinking that I am going to have to do something this fall when I get home.

First off, how hard was that project? I am not a medal guy and I thought of disassembling as little as possible, and then reframe it/support it in wood.  I also was not planning on using the sofa (although you tied that in well) I was planning on getting either boat seats or van seats, you know something you can really plant your butt in.        

Secondly, did you have to relocate the water pump?

It wasn't real hard to do. I had a friend weld the 1x's but you could get away with corner brackets screwed into place. That would simplify things a lot. Yes, I relocated the water pump further under the pedestal where the converter is. It looks tighter than it is really. I was also able to fit my progressive industries surge protector/contactor and the solar charge controller under there.

I have since revamped all this. The seating is no longer the old sofa. The new design is much simpler and far more comfortable. It allows seating on two planes instead of one. Much more stretch room. Much better padding. Olefin covers that zip off for cleansing and such.

What I like best of all is easy access to the converter compartment now. Tooless to the water pump and all.

Actually just re-read my op here and a ton has changed since then but still lovin the 16 db

[kycamper]

The " ....seating is not the old sofa" ? 

" ...two planes instead of one" ?

I am looking for some guidance regarding the seating for a dinette in lieu of the sofa. Sounds like you were successful with this. Could you be more precise in your explanation of what you did, and perhaps where you got the seating?? Pictures would be real helpful.

thanks for any help you might offer