Improving 4G data (not voice calls) signal on boat.

F

fredrussell

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 Mar 2015
Messages
4,153
Visit site
Firstly, sorry - I realise this will have been discussed a fair few times before on here. I did a YBW search and read a few threads but I’m still a bit unsure so...

...where my boat is berthed the 4G data reception varies from good to practically non-existent. I think the problem may be that I’m in a steep sided ‘cut’ in Ipswich docks so at low tide I’m 5 metres below ground level with a vertical metal wall either side of boat.

So I’m looking for a device that will boost the 4G signal that would be mounted (I assume) on mast top and send down a decent signal by (assuming again) WiFi. There’s no end of cheap devices on eBay that would seem to be suitable but they all seem to be aimed at being mounted indoors(?). I think it’s a mast top device I require- is that correct? Anyone have or know of such a thing?
 
There are various relatively costly solutions which in essence convert a mobile signal to WiFi and also incorporate a significantly better aerial than your phone.

Glomex is one such solution. I am not sure about mounting on the mast top, but certainly on a spreader would work.

In my view they suffer one problem, the sim is in the unit, so if you wish to change the sim you have to get to the unit. I guess if you are static, or even stay in the same country, it doesnt matter, after all how often do we change the sim in our phone.

There is a second and more minor problem; they all need 12v power, so you need to run a cable to the unit.

The alternative is a very good mobile aerial. This is my solution, and could be mounted on top of the mast. It makes an enormous difference BUT the reason Glomex and others put the sim in the box is precisely because the cable from the aerial is crItical. The mobile signal is weak in the first place so a cheap high loss coaxial will not cut it. Very low loss cable is available at a price. The cable will run to a mobile router in the cabin containing the sim and which converts the signal to a WiFi connection.

On the one hand you end up with a larger unit, on the other, just an aerial, and with the low loss cable you need, probably not much difference in cost.

The difference is substantial. Of course with VOIP you can make calls as well, and everyone on board can share one good mobile signal.

A commercial solution is Red Box with its mobile module, which I use. No connection with Red Box. There are plenty of routers which do the same job and while more simple, at less cost.

It is worth trying a few different mobile providers. Also O2 operates at the frequency end of the spectrum that often means their signal is better.

If you are totally static or are only concerned when static a directional aerial may perform even better, than an omni aerial.

Of course none of this will work if you are completely shielded at low tide. You could just try hoisting your phone to the top of the mast, and using the hot spot function to see if there is a better signal. It costs nothing, unless you drop the phone! A soft pouch should do the job. Dont me put off by the Misses saying you arent using my phone :-)
 
Last edited:
NETGEAR 4G Mobile Router, Nighthawk M2 Router 4G LTE MR2100 - downflow up to 2Gbps | WiFi connection up to 20 | devices Creates a WLAN anywhere | Unlocked compatible with any SIM
FROM AMAZON.

This is what I use - data only and I use '3 Internet with legs' 24GB cards. Gets a signal from anywhere, wherever you are in the world! ..... and it works !! ........... ? ?
 
It’s the same hardware as the much more expensive Glomex but I’m told the Teltonika has a much better interface and is a fraction of the cost :)
 
Lots of 'retail' adsl/wifi routers have a USB slot which will take a usb 4G 'dongle' with a SIM.
Put the dongle up in the air on a USB extension?
Put the whole thing up the mast?

You could probably get some improvement without spending much money, and it might tell you whether it's worth spending more.

I'm not aware of any cheap 4G 'dongles' with external aerials. 4G is spread over lots of bands so you have to take care that what you buy is good for your SIM and your network locally.

Sometimes the 4G network is just 'not very good' because lots of people are using it on your basestation.
A peak times, you may find out that you're not a priority customer!
 
Davy_S said:
I wonder if these work? seems easy enough to make, perhaps someone could try it and report back, this would determine if i made one for home use.:)
DIY 2G/3G/4G Wireless Cell Phone Signal Booster
Click to expand...
That kind of thing can work if it's exactly tuned to the right channel and you have a problem like getting a signal through a metal box.
Generally the coupling between the phone and the indoor aerial will be fairly weak, so it is unlikely to work.

It reminds me of troubleshooting situations where we were trying to keep signals out of sealed boxes but strong signals were trying to sneak in.
It will work when you don't want it to!
 
I think with whatever solution you try, the key elements are reasonably obvious (although commercial providers seem to enjoy the smoke screens),

1. `The best aerial you use (after all whatever else you have is only as good as the aerial),
2. The best connection between aerial and however you convert the signal to WiFi. The shorter the run the less imporant,
3. Placing the aerial high does make a difference.

The bit that converts the 3/4G signal to WiFi is in a sense the easiest, there are plenty of these on the market and I am not convinced they perform significantly differently, you pay for the extra features.

As to all the DIY solutions like hoisiting things up the mast, they are a brilliant way of seeing how much you can improve the signal, but inevitably they arent a very elegant permanent solution (not that this matters if it doesnt bother you).
 
I have a Mifi with an external antenna which is good for an extra two or three bars on the signal, even mounted on a book rack in the cabin. Quite a few Mifis can use an external antenna, but it can take a bit of digging to check which ones have the socket and to find a suitable antenna - even harder now that imports from China are potentially so costly.
 
I have a Huawei dongle that seems to work very well - hoisting it to the top of the mast certainly improves performance, but don't forget to add some form of downhaul! It doesn't seem to have any external aerial facility.

On one Australian island we worked on, there was a roof mounted aerial that we connected to a cheap dongle and that gave us poor, but useable internet over approx 50 / 60 (conventional) miles of sea. Interestingly, Parks had marked "Telstra Corner" where even a conventional phone would get a signal.

I'll try and find out what the dongle was.
 
Dave100456 said:
As others have said, getting the phone higher does work. In this anchorage I had no signal but now replying on my iPad via a Bluetooth connection to my phone which is in a bag 60ft up the mast. Probably the easiest and cheapest solution if you have a second device to communicate on.
Click to expand...
Top man! Thats the way to do it, simple, quick and costs no more than you’ve already spent. I’m gonna try that ?
 
Of course, it does have the distinct disadvantage that once your phone is up the mast you can't use your phone! Very frustrating to have an SMS conersation or to find a missed call when the phone comes down that you can't return due to no signal. It's definitely horses for courses though, I went with a fixed installation so I get consistently good wifi on board for work and for watching/listening to streaming services in the evenings. It also means my electronics can get all the latest updates and I always have up to date weather on the plotter. I don't need to worry about battery life, charging, hoisting etc. but I do have some pretty big downsides such as installation cost (a couple of hundred) and ongoing extra SIM contract. I've used a MyFi up a mast on a friends boat and it was great for occasional use but incomparable to a proper install if you're using it more than an hour or two per day. Mine will replace the Glomex TV antenna once I get up the mast to sort it :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top