WeBoost Cell 3G 4G Signal Booster Amp

I just received the WeBoost Drive 4G-S Cell Signal Cradle booster bought from 3gstore for $199. Here are my first observations.

#1. The included cradle USB plug intended for charging your phone, while in the cradle, will not do that when the cradle is working hard to boost the cell signal. The entire 5.5v and 2 amps will be used to boost, non left over to charge the phone. So, you will need two power feeds. One to the cradle one to the phone. Not a big deal. I told Webost.com they should then remove this USB since it provides no support.

#2. It will boost the signal if and when the signal is at or below -105 dBm, this is the threshold at where the booster will work. Above there, no boost due to too weak of signal.

#3. The cell receive signal strength, the RSSI can be found on an Android phone under Settings > About Phone > Status, there you will see the signal strength. RSSI needs to be below -105 dBm and if you see -65 dBm to -72 Dbm then that is a near perfect signal.

Here are photos of my cell in and out of the WeBoost:

In the Cradle, boosted a little due to weak signal


Out of the cradle, weak signal


#4. I have been using this RSSI open signal app to test cell coverage and to go site survey maps helping me find the best signal. This OPEN SIGNAL app is available for iPhone and for Android. Use this to make out your signal.

opensignal.com/

#5. I use the app and web site www.SpeedTest.net to test out my cell connectivity and wifi speeds. I use 100% Verizon cell for all my Internet use and web site management. I have been doing this for years. I am amazed at the current speeds I see of 4G, plus I have a rare, unlimited Verizon data account!

I will be taking this WeBoost amp and testing it AZ, NM, CO, and UT on a remote camping trip. I will report how well it works. I also plan to use this in the Bahamas this winter where it will boost the 3G and 4G signal of BTC Bahamas. On first review and usage, I find it really works well.





Hayden

Report back on the use of WeBoost cell booster. I used this in remote locations in UT and CO and found that it gave me connectivity when my phone alone would not connect. So, I can safely say that it does seem to do the job. Here in the Philadelphia area where the signal is already strong, it will boost a little, but it is hard to notice. So far I am happy with the unit, next test will be in the Bahamas and south on the ICW if we find remote connections.

Here is the speed result I am getting in the Phila area with the boost active: Not bad:



Hayden

Update report on WeBoost.

We have now tested this system in the Bahamas on the BTC cell network using my same Samsung S5 phone with a BTC sim chip. I must say that this does a great job of adding signal strength and data speed increases to the phone. Here I am in the Exumas Land and Sea Park, where there is usually zero cell service and I have 3 bars. I had enough signal to even make a skype phone call. I also uploaded 15 photos and a blog post, and at the same time Radeen is logged into the network and she is on the same cell booster via WiFi. Amazing.

YES, this system works well and for the $200 it is worth it, This year, we are 100% 3G 4G BTC data and connectivity and it has been working well. I do use the app PDAnet on the droid phone to create the hotspot on the boat or even when off the boat, then Radeen can use here phone, tablet or laptop via the hotspot. When on the boat, we drop the phone into the WeBoost Cradle and pick up the cell signal then activate the PDAnet WiFi hotspot and all devices onboard are online.

BTC Bahamas cell service is working well, and this WeBoost cradle also is working well.

We are using and paying for 5 GB for 30 days cost is $49.00, not bad. I share that across a tablet, two laptops, and two cell phones!

Hayden on a mooring ball in Cambridge Cay where usually there is no cell service!

Hayden, did you set up an external antenna on the boat? And if so, where ( how high off deck)?

Paul:

I added a 12 dB gain Omni 3g/4g antenna onto the solar frame on the back of the bimini. I has worked very well. In the Exumas we were able to pick up Staniel Key BTC tower while in Cambridge Cay, a well know place where they is poor cell coverage. This position made it easy to run the cable down the back stay into the stern and into the qtr berth gunwhale area to the hanging locker where my router and network gear is mounted.

I buy my gear from 3gstore.com/

Hayden

At the www.weboost.com/ web site, which is Wilson Electronics, the maker of this 3G 4G booster, they are now (July 2017) calling it this...

Drive 4G-S Sleek 4G | 470107
(formerly Wilson Sleek 4G 460107)

www.weboost.com/products/drive-4gs

Hayden