Wilson Amplifier to Boost weak Wifi signals ??

[fordy]

.................I just received a $$ quote for a 3 watt Wilson amplifier too boost my weak Wifi Virgin mobil internet signal ! It amplifies both send and receive signals and plugs into the modem I use on my Laptop . I work in 2 different locations where my signal strength is only 1 bar .
.................My question is.................has anyone hereabouts tried a Wilson Amp too help with their internet wifi signal ? The package I'm considering purchasing uses an external antenna with a magnetic base . , thanks , fordy

[am1too]

I'd be interested also asI live on the edge of the signal pattern and get varing signal strength. I'm curious what was the quote amount? Jus so I'd understand some sort of range in cost.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by am1too

I'd be interested also asI live on the edge of the signal pattern and get varing signal strength. I'm curious what was the quote amount? Jus so I'd understand some sort of range in cost.

http://www.3gstore.com

.................The quote was for $255.00 ! That included a wilson 3 watt amp , adapter cable for my modem , outside antenna with mag base , and an AC power supply . The amp also comes with a 12vdc plug that fits most cig lighters as well .
..................I will try the setup with the antenna inside first , then move too outside if necessary . , fordy

[am1too]

Originally Posted by fordy

http://www.3gstore.com

.................The quote was for $255.00 ! That included a wilson 3 watt amp , adapter cable for my modem , outside antenna with mag base , and an AC power supply . The amp also comes with a 12vdc plug that fits most cig lighters as well .
..................I will try the setup with the antenna inside first , then move too outside if necessary . , fordy

Thanks

[fixer1958]

I've got a setup like that here at home but it's not mobile. It's a Wilson.

Antenna on the roof, amp inside and another doodad on the ceiling in the room of the PC. I am/was using virgin mobile and could get a full signal. I even could on all the cell phones which otherwise I didn't get any signal at all.

I've had it about 2 years. Worked good till the amp quit amping.
A new amp is about $300, the whole setup was $600 thereabouts.
I was only after better internet service and the cell signal was a bonus.

Now I have Hughesnet. I swore on my dead beagles grave that I would never get Hughesnet or that other thieving dish ISP. But apparently the guberment wants us backwoods folk to stay connected so they can keep tabs on us and are paying off Hughesnet. You can get it with no contract and no up front fees at all.

$39 a month and I can tell them to go pound sand anytime I want. Now that's a powerful feeling. I think my stride has even changed a little.

It works ok sofar. About the same as virgin mobile and a little more consistent.
I will see how it is during monsoon season.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by fixer1958

I've got a setup like that here at home but it's not mobile. It's a Wilson.

Antenna on the roof, amp inside and another doodad on the ceiling in the room of the PC. I am/was using virgin mobile and could get a full signal. I even could on all the cell phones which otherwise I didn't get any signal at all.

I've had it about 2 years. Worked good till the amp quit amping.
A new amp is about $300, the whole setup was $600 thereabouts.
I was only after better internet service and the cell signal was a bonus.

Now I have Hughesnet. I swore on my dead beagles grave that I would never get Hughesnet or that other thieving dish ISP. But apparently the guberment wants us backwoods folk to stay connected so they can keep tabs on us and are paying off Hughesnet. You can get it with no contract and no up front fees at all.

$39 a month and I can tell them to go pound sand anytime I want. Now that's a powerful feeling. I think my stride has even changed a little.

It works ok sofar. About the same as virgin mobile and a little more consistent.
I will see how it is during monsoon season.

..................How......rural.....do you have to be to qualify for foodstamp TV\internet ? And , what connect rate do you see for uploads and down loads ? , thanks , fordy

[fixer1958]

Well..............I actually have a job and have managed to keep it for the last 30 years believe it or not. Even own my own house and it doesn't have wheels.
I'm about 45 miles outside of KC if that defines rural. I have all of my teeth intact also. It just keeps getting better dunnit.

I don't know what the upload and download is. Don't really give a chit as long as it's better than dialup. Look it up. Its the cheapest it is. I'm not paying more for bandwidth if I don't have too. No point, the cutoff is not much different.

Virgin Mobile will cut you off at 2.5G.

[Gary in ohio]

The wilson is NOT a wifi booster. Its a cell phone booster.... 3watts on wifi would not be legal.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Gary in ohio

The wilson is NOT a wifi booster. Its a cell phone booster.... 3watts on wifi would not be legal.

......................Gary , it is my understanding that the amp that they are sending to me will automatically reduce it's output power based upon the incoming signal strength ! , fordy

[Wayne02]

I thought the wilsons were cellphone signal boosters as Gary mentions.

We use this wilson Sleek cellphone signal booster in our trailer when camping and it works very well. My wife also uses it in our home to boost the signal for her work sprint blackerry on the days she works from home.

The Sleek has a small mag-base antenna that I stick to an upside down metal breadpan, then climb on the back bumper of the trailer and slide the breadpan up on the roof. Run the antenna cable under the window screen and through the window that is at the dinette table.
http://3gstore.com/product/2680_wils...officekit.html

However, the Sleek is a portable unit and if I were living in our RV I would install a more permanent set-up, which is what I suspect the system fordy mentioned is. I have purchased several items through 3G and they were great to work with, both before and after the sale.

Fordy,
You might also check this forum. It's the tech section of rv.net.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...s/forum/38.cfm

And if you are so inclined to try some low cost fixes.
http://www.wisebread.com/no-signal-5...eption-updated

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Wayne02

I thought the wilsons were cellphone signal boosters as Gary mentions.

We use this wilson Sleek cellphone signal booster in our trailer when camping and it works very well. My wife also uses it in our home to boost the signal for her work sprint blackerry on the days she works from home.

The Sleek has a small mag-base antenna that I stick to an upside down metal breadpan, then climb on the back bumper of the trailer and slide the breadpan up on the roof. Run the antenna cable under the window screen and through the window that is at the dinette table.
http://3gstore.com/product/2680_wils...officekit.html

However, the Sleek is a portable unit and if I were living in our RV I would install a more permanent set-up, which is what I suspect the system fordy mentioned is. I have purchased several items through 3G and they were great to work with, both before and after the sale.

Fordy,
You might also check this forum. It's the tech section of rv.net.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...s/forum/38.cfm

And if you are so inclined to try some low cost fixes.
http://www.wisebread.com/no-signal-5...eption-updated

.................Thanks Wayne , I viewed both links and they have some very good info ! , fordy

[Gary in ohio]

Originally Posted by fordy

......................Gary , it is my understanding that the amp that they are sending to me will automatically reduce it's output power based upon the incoming signal strength ! , fordy

The willsion's will manage power, but they dont work on wifi.. Its a cell phone amp only.