| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
floundergigger
Finger Mullet
Joined: 06 May 2017
Posts: 31
|
 Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 10:28 am Post subject: Land cut area satellite phone vs. cell signal booster |
 |
|
I posted this question in the comments of my other thread but thought it would be best to start a new topic.
For you guys that have cabins in the land cut/ fish it often...what do you do about cell service? When I'm down there it's me and a buddy or two and we stay a week. We can't go without talking to the wives that long so we are forced to check in at least a couple times during our trip. Between us we have verizon and AT&T but reception is VERY difficult anywhere near 9 mile hole.
So I've researched boosters such as weboost (Wilson) electronics that I can mount in the console of my bay boat to boost current cell service. This will cost $500ish and then we can (if available via service) just use our cell phone service with no extra minutes/data usage.
OR buy a satellite phone for about $600 and have to buy a $100-150 prepaid minutes every year that we go just for that week. Just seems like a never ending money hole.
Right now I'd rather go with the booster but I don't wanna be out $500 AND get down there for a week and have ZERO service. That would just piss me off and the wives would just love us forever for that.
Anybody have any experiences they can share? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Johninaustin
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 1113
|
| Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 11:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Get a SPOT (or other brand) locator beacon and send them text messages. Lots cheaper with the data plan. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
floundergigger
Finger Mullet
Joined: 06 May 2017
Posts: 31
|
| Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 11:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Johninaustin wrote: | | Get a SPOT (or other brand) locator beacon and send them text messages. Lots cheaper with the data plan. |
i've looked into these and the garmin units with send/receive text. They look awesome for what they are but we are wanting something that allows voice calls and something that is easy to get the weather through. I definitely appreciate it, though. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
want2fish
Horse Mullet
Joined: 08 Oct 2012
Posts: 102
Location: Bluff to the Island
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
floundergigger
Finger Mullet
Joined: 06 May 2017
Posts: 31
|
| Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 12:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes. This is exactly the kind of information I am looking for. Now i just wonder if i can get service by having it down on the boat where i will never be higher than any of the dunes. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Oil Field Trash II
Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 1560
|
| Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 4:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
with this system, does your phone have to be in a cradle? or does it boost an entire area, like a mini cell tower? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
want2fish
Horse Mullet
Joined: 08 Oct 2012
Posts: 102
Location: Bluff to the Island
|
| Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 5:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
I had to raise the booster to a height of 25' from the water level to get service.
The booster I have can run up to 15 devices at the same. It has a directional outside antenna that you point at the nearest cell tower. The booster inside to increase the signal then a inside antenna to send the signal throughout the cabin.
_________________
Floating Cabin Rentals
www.LagunaAdventures.com
Let A Little Salt In Your Life |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
floundergigger
Finger Mullet
Joined: 06 May 2017
Posts: 31
|
| Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 6:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
| want2fish wrote: | I had to raise the booster to a height of 25' from the water level to get service.
The booster I have can run up to 15 devices at the same. It has a directional outside antenna that you point at the nearest cell tower. The booster inside to increase the signal then a inside antenna to send the signal throughout the cabin. |
I believe it and is what I was worried about. There's several models of extension poles that are lightweight that I could get an antenna on. But that's gonna make it pretty difficult at base camp. I may just have to buy an icky satellite phone. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mason
Horse Mullet
Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 102
|
| Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 6:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
I have a cell booster in my truck for work reasons and it works amazing. Can go to the ranch in west texas and have 4G or LTE service in the truck in areas of ZERO service. Only thing I would look into is how much juice it pulls on your battery. I have run my battery down overnight to were by truck wouldnt start the next morning with it. Could be an issue if you did that in your boat down there.
_________________
"Deep inside, you know the fish isn't the only one that's hooked" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
want2fish
Horse Mullet
Joined: 08 Oct 2012
Posts: 102
Location: Bluff to the Island
|
| Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 8:58 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yes it will drain the battery. The booster in my boat is on a switch. Only turn it in when it's needed.
_________________
Floating Cabin Rentals
www.LagunaAdventures.com
Let A Little Salt In Your Life |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
floundergigger
Finger Mullet
Joined: 06 May 2017
Posts: 31
|
| Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 10:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| want2fish wrote: | | Yes it will drain the battery. The booster in my boat is on a switch. Only turn it in when it's needed. |
Does the boat booster work pretty good down there? If I could get service anywhere near haps I'd be happy as heck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
FB PHIL
Flour Bluffian in training
Joined: 11 Oct 2006
Posts: 455
|
| Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 9:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Years ago when I used to fish the LC weekly and I only had the old clam shell type phone(Sprint) I had some luck calling Flour Bluff home from atop the berm on the SE corner of the LC and the entrance to the 9 mi hole channel. I figure with the new more powerful I-Phones you might be successful. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
want2fish
Horse Mullet
Joined: 08 Oct 2012
Posts: 102
Location: Bluff to the Island
|
| Posted: Tue May 23, 2017 2:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It would work well north of Marker 4. Problem I had with the boat is the antenna for automobiles are made to be grounded via the magnet on the roof and they would rust away in 1 year. I have purchased the Omni derectional marine antnna but haven't mounted it yet.
_________________
Floating Cabin Rentals
www.LagunaAdventures.com
Let A Little Salt In Your Life |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
floundergigger
Finger Mullet
Joined: 06 May 2017
Posts: 31
|
| Posted: Tue May 23, 2017 2:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| want2fish wrote: | | It would work well north of Marker 4. Problem I had with the boat is the antenna for automobiles are made to be grounded via the magnet on the roof and they would rust away in 1 year. I have purchased the Omni derectional marine antnna but haven't mounted it yet. |
I hear ya. Any way you keep the device itself dry? I can mount it in my center console with the batteries but I'm afraid just moisture/humidity will tear it up! That's a lot of money for something that won't last. Hard to baby stuff around salt. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
want2fish
Horse Mullet
Joined: 08 Oct 2012
Posts: 102
Location: Bluff to the Island
|
| Posted: Wed May 24, 2017 6:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The booster itself is mounted under my console. Never Had a problem with it. They now have a RV booster its set up to run on 12 volt and 110. When the boat booster goes out I will get the RV booster and make a to go box to take with in the cabin, boat, truck, ranch, beach
_________________
Floating Cabin Rentals
www.LagunaAdventures.com
Let A Little Salt In Your Life |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
