Wilson Cellular Wireless Amplifier

[TowPro]

Anybody use the Wilson Cellular Wireless Amplifier? I think its the AM801201 model. Has an antenna inside your truck that hears your cell phone, then goes through an amp to an antenna outside your truck? My boss is looking at getting one (And I get to test it ). But if you guys say they are junk we will save the money.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

our ambulance service is looking at putting these in our ambulances. I have used the passive one that connects to the phone for years and had great luck so I would also be interested in hearing about people's experiences also.

 

[Hammer]

With the older style phones(analog-digital) they worked very well,however,with most all of the cell carriers now going off on a different path(GSM) they do not work. In fact,most all of the GSM made phones now do not even have a provision on them for an external antenna to be used... ... . Andy

 

[TowPro]

Here in Phila we have verizon, and they are not GSM. The phones we have are dual band, but all digital, no analog. (verizon calls the phones that still have analog Tri-band phones).

With the older style phones(analog-digital) they worked very well,however,with most all of the cell carriers now going off on a different path(GSM) they do not work. In fact,most all of the GSM made phones now do not even have a provision on them for an external antenna to be used... ... . Andy

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Here in Phila we have verizon, and they are not GSM. The phones we have are dual band, but all digital, no analog. (verizon calls the phones that still have analog Tri-band phones).

Depending on the phone model you get for Verizon, they still have the tri mode models available nation wide. The LG-6100 series, as well as the LG-3200 are two I know for sure as I just upgraded to these for family members. Due to the old faithful analog system being so outreaching, I would start looking for a tri mode version if you have coverage issues BEFORE you get a booster, it will improve your access problems in itself.



External antenna plugs are not an absolute neccessity. You can buy a band ring that slides around your phones antenna. Provided you have an antenna stub of some dimension protruding from the phones body.



I have had good and bad luck with the wireless cel boosters I have had compared to my physically connected booster. You need to take into consideration the feedback some of the wireless boosters will create if you are operating more then one phone in a vehicle with this. The phones will try to converge at times, its weird and very annoying. Due to this problem that few will experience unless you drive with groups like I do at times, I would opt for the corded booster instead.



My best solution for every day portability is a simple external antenna with magnetic base and just the adapter hooked to the phone, no booster at all. It gets you outside of the vehicle and can make a huge difference by itself just by having the longer antenna attached to the phone. I have my 3 watt booster hard wired into my big Volvo truck for times that I am on the road long term and remote. The corded ext antenna is switched between my dodge and other cars in the driveway with ease. Might be a solution for you to try first? Its alot cheaper than the boosters and will help. My booster was around $250. 00 which I still had to buy the ext antenna and adapter to the phone, around $40 for these 2 items.

Keep in mind that I relied on my cel for emergency and remote call outs while in Montana. You may have better coverage areas where you're at, but Montana is one of the worst for coverage anywhere I have been in the USA, which is just about everywhere. The desert areas of Moab were better, along with Glamis.

 

[JJW_ND]

It works very well for us...

Out fleet of trucks are 99% analog bag phones. Beacuse we are govnt. we can still add analog phones to the system. The problem is replacement bag phones are almost non-existent.



I had an oppertunity to try a Wilson wireless amp while traveling here in ND. I had my analog bag phone hooked up (running through external antenna) and could compare with the digital phone (LG6100 in this case) I had a similar external antenna for the Wilson and just stuck the interior wireless antenna to the roof liner. Had the digital phone in a holder on the dash right beside the analog phone handset.



I notice no less service with the Wilson then the bag phone. In fact, because it seems analog holds on to a tower down to 1 - 2 bars (call would drop) were as the digital switched much earlier, it seemed like the wilson setup was better.



The biggest issue I see with the newer tri-mode phones is in rural areas that have seen alot of recent changes to towers (new and analog becoming digital) was out dated roaming. On Verizon, you dial #228 and then option #2. Analog phones just worked but the new Tri-mode need thie over the air programing to tell the phone a new tower now exists or one is now availble in Digital (saves on battery)



The electronics shop we use highly recomends Wilson products.



I think you will find a substainal increase with the Wilson repeater over even just an external antenna. Remember, it is not about how many bars you have but if you can make a call and stay connected.



jjw

ND

 

[Turboman]

I have one in my truck, it works great. It's the difference between using the phone anywhere in town or just say to hell with it and don't answer because with out the booster it won't work at all. Mine is made by Richardson Electronics and is called Cellcapture. It plugs into the cig lighter for power, has a little antenna inside and a little mag mount outside. Since I already had a good cell ant on the roof, I got an adapter and hooked up my antenna to it. Also I forgot to mention that they have a different model for dual bands and Nextels.

 

[byoslandry]

My Motoroa V440 cell phone uses this GSM format and has a place to be able to plug in another antenna. My cellular service in New Orleans is with Cingular and due to Hurricanr Katrina, most of our cell towers are down. I have been using a booster know as "SmoothTalk" (out of Canada) which boost and amplifies the signal to 3 watts. You also have to put a small (about 3" high 3" magnetic base) antenna on the roof and plug the amplifier into the 12v dc power receptacle. If it can find a tower, it'll make the call. I approve of this little device.