Cell antenna/booster installation

[jkar]

Has anyone installed a cell antenna/booster on the boat?  Did you mount the antenna at the top of the mast or someplace else?  I am looking for thoughts/suggestions.  I think I am going with the Wilson "Sleek" 815226.  It gets good reviews.  Only thing is that it has a "mini mount" antenna.  While I could put in on the cabin top, I don't think that would help much.  The folks at the 3Gstore suggested another antenna with a single cable run.  However when I drop the mast, that becomes a chore of retrieving the cable and then re-installing it.  Not to mention takes the price from $90 for the unit to $200 for a "marine" antenna and 50' of cable.  Thanks, Joel

[mainesail]

I have a Wilson;

# 811210 Signal Boost Cellular/PCS Amplifier
# 301130 - Marine Mount Antenna
# 952350 - 50 Ft of LMR400 Antenna Wire
# 971108 - Amp to antenna connector
# 971107 - Cable to amp connector


The higher the antenna the better. It works fairly well but is NOT a magic bullet by any means. I have not really decided if it was worth the $400.00+ dollars or not yet but it does work in areas where a call drops often. I first mounted it on the stern radar pole. This is NOT enough separation between the amp and antenna. Mast top mounting the antenna is a must if you want good performance. I installed it mid season so really had no choice as to where to mount it and I could get to the radar pole. Raising it up the spar with a halyard consistently produced more bars than the radar pole..