The WeBoost Drive X is not only easy to use but it is also very easy to install. All WeBoost packages come with internal and external antennas, the WeBoost amplifier, power cable, and the necessary hardware and wiring to make the entire unit work. The most difficult part of the WeBoost install could be drilling a hole through the exterior wall of your camper or RV, but we didn’t even need to do that for our WeBoost install.
WeBoost Install with Directional Antenna
- Testing Antenna Placements
- Why a Directional Antenna
- Wiring the External Antenna
- Mounting The WeBoost
- Mounting the Interior Antenna
- Wiring the WeBoost
- Install Products
Testing Antenna Placements
We wired our entire system first and did temporary placements of the two antennas to see what worked best. Only after that did we attach or hardwire anything in place. This allowed us to optimize the system for our rig. I highly recommend doing this as the two antennas can interfere with one another so proper placement is essential to having a system that works well. Check out our WeBoost Review to understand the differences and limitations between the antennas that come with the WeBoost Drive X and the RV models.
Why a Directional Antenna
Directional antennas are going to work best for communicating directly with the nearest cell tower. Whichever unit you choose, I would recommend upgrading the external antenna to a directional one unless your primary objective is to have better cell service while driving. The omnidirectional antennas that come with the WeBoost Drive X models are great for use while in motion. Our directional antenna is stronger and a better solution for the campsite.
The Wilson 70 Ohm Directional Antenna
We replaced the external omnidirectional antenna that comes standard with the WeBoost Drive X with a Wilson 70 Ohm directional antenna. The Wilson antenna comes with a heavy mounting bracket that is designed for residential use. It felt like it was overkill for the lightweight antenna so I choose to junk all of that hardware and use some lightweight conduit hangers which I bolted into the back of the antenna. I attached that to a lightweight but rigid PVC conduit cut to a 5’ length. For us, this poll has a secondary use of helping us “tuck” away the fabric when we drop the roof of our camper.
Wiring the External Antenna
I ran a 15’ piece of coax cable from the external antenna as an extension cable. This is secured to the PVC pipe with zip ties. I also put a velcro strap on the cable for easily strapping the cable spool to the pipe for storage purposes.
Creating a Quick Antenna Mounting Plate
To affix the antenna’s poll to the camper I mounted two more aluminum conduit hangers to a piece of 1” thick pine board that I cut to a dimension that best fit the camper, about 3.75″ x 5.5″ with a 45 degree angle cut on every side to allow water to easily roll off. I could have screwed the aluminum hangers directly to the camper but I was worried that over time they might damage the unit. This way 4 points of contact spread the load out caused by the wind blowing the antenna. This mounting block has two T-nuts hammered into it that the conduit hangers are bolted into. The block is secured to the camper via four 1.25″ long screws. I also weather sealed the entire block and screw heads with ProFlex RV.
Mounting and Wiring the Antenna
I also replaced the standard nuts on the conduit hangers with wing nuts so that locking the antenna PVC pipe in place is quick and easy. Once the antenna is locked into place I run the coaxial cable to the manufacturer installed coax port on the side of the camper using a push to connect right angle adapter rather than having to twist the connector on.
Rewiring the Manufacturer Coaxial Port
The camper coaxial port was originally designed for a hardline cable TV connection. Since we watch Netflix and have no traditional use for this connector I repurposed it for connecting the antenna to the WeBoost. I unwired the connecter on the back of the interior connection and used a coax F-connect to SMA adapter to attach it to the input on the WeBoost’s amplifier. This left a hole in the kitchen area of the camper which I filled by installing a marine-style USB port. You never can have to many USB ports these days.
Mounting The WeBoost Amplifier
The main unit of the WeBoost is the amplifier box. It comes with a specially designed low-profile cradle that the amplifier clips into. The cradle is designed to be easily mounted via two screw holes. Because our truck camper is so small we were running out of places to easily mount the WeBoost. My ideal spot was on the cabinet door adjacent to my DC solar system so powering the unit would be easy. The downside was that the door’s central area is a thin sheet of luan far too thin to screw the cradle into. I decided to use fastener tape to essentially velcro the cradle to the back of the cabinet door. Once that was in place I simply slid the amplifier into the cradle.
Mounting the Interior Antenna
Next, I mounted the interior antenna with the provided double-sided sticky tape and used the cleaning cloth to thoroughly clean the surface area before attaching it. Running the cable back to the WeBoost was quick and easy. I already had a hole in the counter space that proved to be the optimal spot for mounting the antenna during my testing phase. I pulled the cable through the cabinet and twisted it onto the output of the WeBoost amplifier.
Wiring the WeBoost Amplifier
The last task for the WeBoost install was to wire the WeBoost amplifier unit to a switch on my DC rocker switch panel so I could easily turn the device on and off. I cut off the provided cigarette lighter adapter and checked the wiring on the device. The black-white is the positive and the solid black cable is negative. I wired this orientation to my rocker switch and the WeBoost was ready for use.
WeBoost Install Conclusion
The WeBoost Drive X is a product that is easy to install and that works as advertised. Turn it on, make sure your cellular phone is 18” – 36” away and your phone will get a stronger and more reliable signal. It is as simple as that. We don’t always need it in our nomadic lives, but when we do this device is the difference between setting up camp in the wilderness and having to keep driving closer to an urban area.
What You Need for a Successful WeBoost Installation
These are the products we used in our WeBoost Install.
