T&T: Cellular phone amplifiers

[Jeffrey Siegel]

> The Wilson equipment is good but if you are looking for a
> set up for your boat you should also look at a company 
> called Digital Antenna. Similar amplifiers to Wilson but
> they also have Marine antennas matched to their amplifiers.

I tested the DA4000 alongside the Wilson amp on my trawler.  The only two
differences that I found were that the Digital Antenna device didn't provide
as much amplification and was more expensive.  I considered those to be
significantly problematic differences.  I also tried the DA wireless version
and found it totally unacceptable for use on my boat (no significant
amplification).

Wilson developed a marine antenna matched to their amplifier about a year
ago.  Their marketing department contacted me when they were in the design
stage and I gave them some feedback.  I plan on testing it when my boat is
back in the water.  I like the extra ground plane additions that they made -
I believe it will add even more amplification when compared against other
cellular antennas although it is smaller.  It is certainly unique and worthy
of a test.  It is also the least expensive cellular marine antenna.

Here is a picture and specs for the Wilson antenna:
http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/ViewProductB.php?ID=30

This is a pretty small 5.12 dBi antenna.  You can't really compare the specs
of it against Digital Antenna's 8 dB antenna (that little "i" has meaning).
I've found that the specs are often overstated or incorrect with antennas.
The only thing that matters is real side-by-side testing.  I've also found
that if an amplifier is being used, the antenna has less importance.  My
original tests with a $10 car-mount-squiggly antenna clipped to an iron
skillet (honest, that was how I tested it) provided results as good as the
DA and Shakespeare antennas I tested as long as the amp was on.  Although
the skillet gave a good Maine salty look, my wife suggested that we put a
real mount on the arch.  I've used the DA and Shakespeare antennas on the
mount with equal results.  The DA antenna feels like it is made better.

Finally, Wilson has a comparison of amps provided by an "independent
tester."  I've been warned about the independence of the test that was done
but I've found it to be true in my own testing:
http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/Files/Competition/CyfreAd.pdf


The "Going Mobile" section of ActiveCaptain is being worked on right now and
will be coming out in the next couple of months.  It contains a set of
"books" including "Mobile Phones on Your Boat" and "WiFi on Your Boat".  The
purpose of it is to provide a single reference that explains all of these
types of issues with amps, WiFi antennas, mobile phone capabilities and
comparisons, cellular provider differences and issues, etc.  The industry
has done an exceptional job of making all of this very confusing at every
turn.  It's even worse for boats because there are some special issues that
aren't usually addressed.


==================================
Jeffrey Siegel
M/V aCappella
DeFever 53PH
W1ACA/WDB4350
Castine, Maine

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