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Thread: CEL-FI GO install in a defender

  1. #1
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    CEL-FI GO install in a defender

    Anybody installed a system in a defender.

    Just wondering where you installed your external and internal antenna.

    The obvious location for the outside antenna is the front bar and have the inside under the dash....is this enough separation in a defer......do we really need the boost in reception while driving??

    I read shielding is important to maximize the performance.

    Bumped into a Telstra tech the other month at a caravan show...an actual field tech, he said best position would be at the back of the car using the car and roof as a shield.

    Given we will be living out of our defender (Poptop) for two years we probably want a boost in reception (when available) at the rear and passenger side, think 270 awning, and up in bed. Therefore maybe the external on the front bar and the internal mounted to the rear inside of the roof.

  2. #2
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    Oh, haven’t ever needed better reception to date, in-fact happier when there is no reception.

    Just considering options for two years on the road.....

  3. #3
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    Weeds my only experience is with the fixed units
    I’m sure they are largely similar

    Your best performance will be with a directional antennae pointed at the nearest tower.
    Omnidirectional will give much less boost.
    Obviously that’s a little impractical in a vehicle having to know where a tower is and aim towards it.

    Perhaps more importantly is the unit only boosts certain frequencies. So it only works with specific carriers (Telstra) and phones. They are not future proof.

    They only boost poor reception up - ie you need one bar of reception to boost!

    For a rep or sales on the road not wanting call dropouts I can see the value
    For remote touring I’d just spend the $ on a sat phone

    S

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by roverrescue View Post
    Weeds my only experience is with the fixed units
    I’m sure they are largely similar

    Your best performance will be with a directional antennae pointed at the nearest tower.
    Omnidirectional will give much less boost.
    Obviously that’s a little impractical in a vehicle having to know where a tower is and aim towards it.

    Perhaps more importantly is the unit only boosts certain frequencies. So it only works with specific carriers (Telstra) and phones. They are not future proof.

    They only boost poor reception up - ie you need one bar of reception to boost!

    For a rep or sales on the road not wanting call dropouts I can see the value
    For remote touring I’d just spend the $ on a sat phone

    S
    Yep went through directional antennas with the tech

    The tech indicated that you don’t always need one bar on your phone as the external antenna can pick up a signal that the phone might not be.

    Yep as mentioned, will be more wanting reception when we are pulled up, movie nights or tv series binge are still fun when touring.....I know all the Outback purist would have a bar of it.

    Just looking a pro and cons and options, it pretty low on the long list of things I need to sort first

  5. #5
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    The only real way to get the best reception is with a mobile phone that has an external antenna port,and an external antenna mounted up high such as on the roof of the vehicle.
    They are way better than a CEL FI,we have proven that on the property.

    But I think the Telstra phone is now the only one with a port.

    But if you want to watch movies,I don’t know,we only use it for calls,emails,etc,and it’s brilliant.No bars at all,nothing,plug it in and there will often be four.
    Paul

    D2,D2,D2a,D4,'09 Defender 110(sons), all moved on.

    '56 S1,been in the family since...'56
    Comes out of hibernation every few months for a run

  6. #6
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    CEL-FI GO install in a defender

    Have a CellFi Go in my D4.. hey, why the heck not hey CEL-FI GO install in a defender

    Works like a charm. Went to some known dead zones around here and had full strength and clear communications.

    I also use the base units for our sites where we usually have nothing!

    In the D4...
    External Antenna is RFI unit on the front bar.
    Internal is down under the dash.

    In a Defender I’d go:
    Antenna on the Bullbar
    Internal down at the fuse panel on the tunnel.

    I leave mine on 4G and it’s been brilliant as I like to stream music on long runs. Usually in many spots I’d have to go to saved music - now it’s seamless.


    If you have any questions PM me. One of the designers of these is a mate of mine and lives around the corner.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tombie View Post
    Have a CellFi Go in my D4.. hey, why the heck not hey CEL-FI GO install in a defender

    Works like a charm. Went to some known dead zones around here and had full strength and clear communications.

    I also use the base units for our sites where we usually have nothing!

    In the D4...
    External Antenna is RFI unit on the front bar.
    Internal is down under the dash.

    In a Defender I’d go:
    Antenna on the Bullbar
    Internal down at the fuse panel on the tunnel.

    I leave mine on 4G and it’s been brilliant as I like to stream music on long runs. Usually in many spots I’d have to go to saved music - now it’s seamless.


    If you have any questions PM me. One of the designers of these is a mate of mine and lives around the corner.
    Awesome.....cheers

  8. #8
    DiscoMick Guest
    My BIL has the aerial on the roof rack and the unit under the dash in his 80 series. Putting it on the roof rack should mean a better signal than on the bullbar. Certainly works bettet for my UHF on the roof rack.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tombie View Post
    Have a CellFi Go in my D4.. hey, why the heck not hey CEL-FI GO install in a defender

    Works like a charm. Went to some known dead zones around here and had full strength and clear communications.

    I also use the base units for our sites where we usually have nothing!

    In the D4...
    External Antenna is RFI unit on the front bar.
    Internal is down under the dash.

    In a Defender I’d go:
    Antenna on the Bullbar
    Internal down at the fuse panel on the tunnel.

    I leave mine on 4G and it’s been brilliant as I like to stream music on long runs. Usually in many spots I’d have to go to saved music - now it’s seamless.


    If you have any questions PM me. One of the designers of these is a mate of mine and lives around the corner.

    Hi Tombie,

    I’m about to install one of these in my D4. I don’t have a front bar to mount an antenna, so my options are:

    1) RFI 6.5DB (97cm) mounted on labtronix side bonnet mount
    2) Black Trucker Edge Mini 3DB (40cm) on the roof track

    Whichever of the the above options I go for in cellular, the UHF will be the other.

    Keen to know what you think based on you experience on this.

    Thanks Jon


  10. #10
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    sorry for the minor grave dig.....
    I'm just about to fit one in my poptop Defender. Was thinking the eternal antenna will go on the Bullbar, opposite side/ mount to UHF. Not 100% sure about internal antenna location. Actual unit will be fitted inside a metal cabinet in the rear. as going to have power permanently on via Aux battery. Not super sure about this as i understand they draw about 1.5amps but also not super keen on leaving key in acc position for hours and potentially draining starter battery. Maybe I will run power from aux via a relay I have that ensures water pump has no power when car is locked...... hmmm.

    Main use will be interwebbing in camp/ in bed.

    Any advice/ comments???

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