"Wilson Sleek" Cellular Repeater

Don,
There are plenty of well designed dual frequency Yagi's in the 800 and 1900 cellualar bands. It is also fairly easy to make a Yagi in this band--but considering that you can buy one for $60 I would just buy one. (and love the 12 dB gain-and directionality).

It is rare to use the WiFi when under way--just too many issues. But in many marinas, the WiFi signal is weak and a directional antenna is an excellent device to have to increase the gain. Another option is an omni directional antenna with the amp built in at the base, and USB as a conductor. This helps with the signal loss due to coax.

Yes, I am well aware of the pattern of radiation at 800 and 1900 GHz from verticals. The issue here was feedback between the antennas reported, even in a metal van, so there was considerable amount of signal getting to the interior antenna (and phone or MiFi reciever) from the external antenna. Because of the radiation pattern, you would not expect this, yet it is reported. My point is not that you wouldn't find a null at the ends, but that the radials would block the signal. I may well be wrong and will try and see if I can measure a null under the radials, and compare it with that null at the apex of the antenna.

I would not use a pot--a small sheet of aluminum or foil would give as good an effect and not be as much of a problem to store. We probably won't use the cellular antenna on the boat for a few months, so I am not experimenting with that.

We do have an amplified (amp built in the base of the antenna) for WiFi--when we are in campgrounds or marinas and the signal is weak. With this there is no issue of feedback, because of the direct connection to the computer.
 
Hello everyone.

Not to hijack the thread, but if I were to go with an amplifier, rather than a repeater, and connect it directly to the phone, this feedback problem becomes a non-issue, yes?
---
mike
 
if I were to go with an amplifier, rather than a repeater, and connect it directly to the phone, this feedback problem becomes a non-issue, yes?
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I believe that's correct. A direct-connect amp/repeater is also going to perform better, all things considered.

I should add that my device, the HTC 6900, DOES have an external antenna port on the back, BUT, I won't be using it. Numerous reports state that the insertion/removal of the external antenna adapter damages the internal antenna connection to the circuit board. This results in a device that is no longer usable. I understand that this affects a number of HTC devices.

Now then, I just got off the phone with Wilson Tech Support and this is what they told me.

1)The Sleek will have NO issues related to antenna separation and feedback/oscillation.

2)Their other, more powerful repeater/cradle(801213) requires a minimum of 12-15 feet separation.

3)Their externally mounted marine cellular antenna will provide the necessary ground-plane.

4)The Sleek will provide 20db of gain versus 45 db of gain on the 213.

Finally, I was told that elevating the antenna (such as on a pole) will help improve performance but is unnecessary as regards to separation.

With this in mind it's advisable to get a long enough coaxial cable to accommodate an elevated antenna should it be needed.
Adapter # 97119 is required to connect the Sleek to the coax.

DISCLAIMER:

The information I've related was provided by Wilson. I can not vouch for it's accuracy
 
OK--how are you going to get the 12 to 15 feet of separation on a C Dory?

I have finished my installation in the RV. The roof around the driver's compartment is completely shielded with either Aluminum or steel, so it is much different than the C Dory. My trucker's antenna is about 10 feet from my internal antenna--and no feedback.

I did walk around and if you are within a foot of the interior antenna you get the best signal strength. At 4 feet it is degrading--and at 8 feet you are only slightly better than no amp or antenna.
 
thataway":2hcfd0eb said:
OK--how are you going to get the 12 to 15 feet of separation on a C Dory?
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I thought he wrote that the Wilson techs said the Sleek would have no separation problems at all but the higher powered unit like yours needed the 12-15 ft. separation.

Hey Pete, that Adapter # 97119. I couldn't find it anywhere on the Wilson site. Do you have a URL where I can get it or are a couple of numbers missing?

Don
 
how are you going to get the 12 to 15 feet of separation on a C Dory?
Click to expand...

I guess I wasn't clear. According to Wilson their repeater/cradle(801213) requires a minimum of 12-15 feet separation. It is the 45db unit and wouldn't be suitable for a small boat such as the 22' Cruiser.

It is the Sleek that they insist presents no separation issues. I described the C-Dory in detail and explained it's dimensions. They think the Sleek is a good fit. This is the one I opted for.

Adapter # 97119
Click to expand...

OOPS, that should have been 971119.

Here you go Don...

http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page= ... cts_id=951
 
Wilson Sleek user report:


I just received my Wilson Sleek Cellular Repeater and I'm quite excited.

It's a small, high quality unit that works great without any feedback issues.

So far I've only tested it in my bedroom. I set the magnet-mount antenna on a metal bowl on my window stool, about 8' away, and powered it off of my desktop computer.

Before I was getting 1-2 bars, pretty typical here at home. Then I plugged in the Sleek and a few moments later I had FULL BARS continuously.



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It rests at a pleasing angle in landscape mode.
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I ordered if from FuturePowerPC and it was Fedexed to me in three days for $84.36 total.

Now, I know that it's worth won't truly be known UNTIL I've tested it under real world conditions. For me, that will be those spots that have given me poor reception in the past...remote areas on the Columbia River, South Puget Sound, and San Juans.
 
Looks great. I might get one just for the car/boat when not using more than one cell phone or the MiFi (the AutoNet Router is much larger than the cradle).
 
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