Inside cell booster INSIDE antenna, best place to mount? Pictures please!

[John E Davies]

I want to add a weBoost Drive Reach Overland cell booster to my RR, mounting the antenna on my truck cap is straightforward and easy. Where would be a good place to mount the inside antenna? It must be “at least 18” but no more than 36”” from the phone(s). That is pretty limiting, considering the lack of free dash space above the center display stack on my Raptor.

How about on the overhead console? But where exactly??? Maybe above the headliner itself, directly between the front seats and directly over the center armrest?

I usually travel with my iPhone resting on the Ford OEM magnetic charge pad, so that is another factor. I need a reliable cell signal in that location especially, so that my GAIA and OnXOffroad navigation apps will work better (especially streaming new, not downloaded, map data from my iPhone). If that spot needs a different antenna location, I would be willing to use my iPhone as a hotspot so my wife could use hers from the passenger seat.

Comments and advice from somebody who has successfully installed a cell booster would be greatly appreciated! Is there a better product in this price range, under $500? I have used a different factory installed weBoost in a travel trailer and it was a dismal failure, but that was probably due to a poor antenna choice (a magnetic stubby) and a partly blocked location in the roof. I think that setup would have been acceptable with a 20 foot mast mounted antenna…

EDIT: I suspect that the “more than 18”” spec is to reduce your constant exposure to radiated energy, but if the phone is positioned way down low, the antenna could be right next to it without frying my brain.

Thanks,

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

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[John E Davies]

Here is the antenna spec sheet, can somebody verify that the antenna would work properly lying flat, for example velcroed to the TOP of the mag charger compartment (below the HVAC controls)? Or flat underneath the rear view mirror? The radiation patterns seem to indicate that it would be OK…

4G Slim Low-Profile Antenna for Cars and Trucks SKU: 314401

Thanks,

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[John E Davies]

More info, closer is definitely better in terms of getting lots of data transfer, the most gain….

1) Typically, having the interior (Stealth) antenna vertical (parallel to the phones antenna when being used) is best.

2) The Stealth should be within 3’ of the phone when in use and no less than 8”. The closer the phone’s antenna is to the Stealth antenna the higher the gain will be. (Doubling the distance between the phones antenna and the interior antenna decreases the received signal by 6dB, halving the distance increases the received signal by 6dB).

3) Try various interior antenna positions to determine what works best for you. You may wish to use your phones field test mode to help determine optimum position.

4) Antenna separation: For roof mounted antennas, keep the inside and outside antennas at least four feet apart. For glass mounted antennas (which are not recommended), keep as much distance between the antennas as possible. For example, place the antennas in opposite corners of the vehicle.

Interior Antenna Positioning Tips for In-Vehicle Repeaters

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Austinquick]

I mounted the inside antenna on the center console under the lid latch. Works very well for phone in a cup holder or on charger. I'll post pictures shortly.

edit: pictures
Power switch is in the center console 12v for easy on/off. Bulletproof Diesel dual antenna mount for WeBoost and GMRS.

 

[John E Davies]

I mounted the inside antenna on the center console under the lid latch.
Power switch is in the center console 12v for easy on/off. Bulletproof Diesel dual antenna mount for WeBoost and GMRS.

Wow, I am not sure I would ever have located that position for the antenna! It looks pretty close to perfect. Have you tested data speeds (down and up) with it hard against your phone? I guess if there was a big difference, having Velcro attachment and extra cable length would allow me to plop it underneath my phone, if absolutely needed. Or just rest my phone up against the antenna as it sits there..

Where did you put the amplifier, behind or under the rear seat?

How did you route the outside antenna cable into the cabin? I really do NOT like just running it through a door opening.

Thanks for posting, those pics are really helpful.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Austinquick]

Wow, I am not sure I would ever have located that position for the antenna! It looks pretty close to perfect. Have you tested data speeds (down and up) with it hard against your phone? I guess if there was a big difference, having Velcro attachment and extra cable length would allow me to plop it underneath my phone, if absolutely needed. Or just rest my phone up against the antenna as it sits there..

Where did you put the amplifier, behind or under the rear seat?

How did you route the outside antenna cable into the cabin? I really do NOT like just running it through a door opening.

Thanks for posting, those pics are really helpful.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

The location has worked great, especially having the power switch right there.
I have not tested it that close to the phone, nor have I speed tested. I can try that on a drive this afternoon. Anecdotally, it seems like the sweet spot for me has been 12-24".

I put it behind the rear seat, currently wedged between the back wall and the jack until I figure out an actual mounting solution.

The antenna cables are routed through the brake light opening, under the headliner and down. The Bulletproof mount gets sandwiched between the cab and the OEM brake light. I'll see if I have install pictures. Pictures below. I followed a couple install videos from the F-150 crowd. Easier install on the Ranger, in my opinion.
Third Brake Light DUAL Antenna Mount - 2019-2025 Ford Ranger

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