aerial help

[mikeg40]

I know the topic of onboard wifi/boosters has been done to death and back but even after reading dozens of posts and lots of reviews, I'm still confused. after and extended trip away, I found that I often had little or no signal on my phone for tethering my tablet. I have been used to this as most of my travelling is around Scotland and our phone network is pretty useless outside the main centres so I use local cafes and such. however my last trip was 6 weeks in England and I had not expected poor reception so often there. My question is - is there an aerial that will boost mobile phone signal and work as an internet source for a wifi router in the van or do you rely on wifi calling and a mifi type setup? there seems to be so many options and if I'm putting an aerial on the roof I would like it to be one that will do the job. asking 'the experts' at various outlets has confused me even more as they all seem to push their own set ups and , like dealers and payload, skirt the questions I ask. thanks in advance for any pointers

 

[herald_400rl]

You can get signal repeaters but they aren't exactly legal, these claim to be exempt but they're pricey:

3G, 4G & 5G Mobile Phone Signal Boosters & Accessories

Signal Boosters

signalboosters.co.uk

I'd say MiFi and WhatsApp or whatever yout poison would be better.

 

[mikeg40]

You can get signal repeaters but they aren't exactly legal, these claim to be exempt but they're pricey:

3G, 4G & 5G Mobile Phone Signal Boosters & Accessories

Signal Boosters

signalboosters.co.uk

I'd say MiFi and WhatsApp or whatever yout poison would be better.

any pointers as to best aerial?? it seems everybody says their's is best! looking for one that is good in patchy areas and reasonably future proof

 

[herald_400rl]

any pointers as to best aerial?? it seems everybody says their's is best! looking for one that is good in patchy areas and reasonably future proof

Poynting antennas get a good rep but I'm reluctant to recommend as I have no first hand experience, sorry.

 

[FrankNicklin]

No point in 4g/5g boosters. They cannot boost something that doesn't exist or is extremely weak to start with. I've spoken to many a telecoms company in my line of work about these, for clients with poor internet out in the sticks, and all have said they are a waste of money and a gimmick. The booster has to connect to the transmitter in the first place to be able to boost the signal to your device. You might get full bar signal on your device but it doesn't mean the booster can talk back to the mobile transmitter any differently. Also some devices sold as boosters are technically illegal to use. They are strictly regulated and illegal for personal use if they conflict with the wireless telegraphy act 2006.

Using a repeater to improve your indoor mobile phone signal

Poor or no indoor mobile signal? A repeater could help you get better coverage.

www.ofcom.org.uk

Screen shot from the OfCom website below.

Certified boosters are available but extremely expensive, but as mentioned they need a decent signal to start with.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Southend]

For most rural areas a Mimo type Ariel will give better results. Mobile network operators broadcast several frequencies from their masts, the higher frequencies provide a faster service but the lower frequencies travel further. When you are a long way from the nearest mast, you need an Ariel that provides a gain at the lower frequency. The smaller puck Ariel's don't provide any low frequency gain, so aren't much use when they are beyond the high frequency range. We have a Poynting 2 Mimo which provides better reception than our phones in most areas.

You also need to think about the various operators coverage. We use an EE sim in our mifi as EE has the best UK rural coverage, but there will inevitably be some areas where other operators have a more local mast.

 

[mikeg40]

For most rural areas a Mimo type Ariel will give better results. Mobile network operators broadcast several frequencies from their masts, the higher frequencies provide a faster service but the lower frequencies travel further. When you are a long way from the nearest mast, you need an Ariel that provides a gain at the lower frequency. The smaller puck Ariel's don't provide any low frequency gain, so aren't much use when they are beyond the high frequency range. We have a Poynting 2 Mimo which provides better reception than our phones in most areas.

You also need to think about the various operators coverage. We use an EE sim in our mifi as EE has the best UK rural coverage, but there will inevitably be some areas where other operators have a more local mast.

being mostly in Scotland I have found EE to have the best coverage. The shared rural network was supposed to have come into use by now but with covid and the providers dragging their heels it could be 2025/6 before which network you use will cease to be an issue. your info on the practicalities of frequencies is very useful, I hadn't been aware of this, thank you

 

[Neil n Pat]

Fitted one of these Amazon product ASIN B08F4S4DMN always a big signal going into the Netgear wifi router inside. Highly recommended working non stop from Dunoon to the Pyrenees.