The next question is whether to use a "direct connection" amplifier or a "wireless" amplifier. A direct connection amplifier requires a cable between the amplifier and your mobile phone. A wireless connection amplifier re-broadcasts the signal and can allow multiple phones to access the amplifier from almost anywhere on your boat. While the wireless solution certainly sounds like the winner, on most boats they will not work properly.
An amplifier, if properly installed, can boost signal. A wireless amplifier has an inside and an outside antenna. The inside antenna grabs the signal from your mobile phone, amplifies it, and re-broadcasts it over the external antenna. The problem in many boats – pretty much any boat under 100 feet – is that the inside antenna will end up too close to the external antenna, or not isolated enough. This causes feedback between the two antennas.
Remember that awful squeal you've heard when a microphone is too close to a PA system? That's feedback. The good news is the amplifier is designed to prevent that horrible noise from occurring (it would burn out the amplifier). The bad news is that it does this by detecting the feedback loop and automatically reducing the amplification. The result is no feedback – and reduced amplification. The signal becomes so reduced that it eliminates most or all of the gains you made by buying the amplifier.
Note that an exception to this has been seen on steel boats. The steel super-structure can help to provide separation between the antennas, which will eliminate the feedback. This separation doesn't happen on fiberglass or wooden boats, however.
Cradles can connect a phone to an amplifier, but a direct connection is better. For most boats a direct connection is the only alternative. While this solution is somewhat limiting – you must have a cable that runs from the amplifier to your mobile phone – it is also the most reliable. The best way to connect the phone is with an antenna jack on the phone. Many phones do not have an antenna jack, though higher-end phones generally do. If the phone doesn't have a jack, there are cradles that can be used. If you have the choice, a jack is better and should be a consideration in selecting a smartphone for your boat. We will discuss more about selecting a smartphone for your boat later in the series.
With a direct connection amplifier to your smartphone, it is possible to connect your laptop "wirelessly" to the Internet or even talk wirelessly. We will discuss this in more detail in future articles. For now we will just cover the physical setup. Your mobile phone is directly connected to the amplifier and communicates to your laptop via Bluetooth or WiFi. We have used this setup for our last several cruises and it works very well.
AVOIDING 'LINE LOSS'
When selecting the antenna, we urge you to consider only marine grade equipment by companies such Wilson Electronics, Digital Antenna, Shakespeare Electronic or others, especially if you do your boating in saltwater conditions. Non-marine antennas will quickly degrade in the typical marine environment and any savings you might realize will be lost when you are forced to replace them. Marine antennas will also include mounting options that are appropriate for your boat.
Another potential problem is line loss. Some of you may have tried adding an antenna and saw no increase in signal strength. Some may even have seen signal strength decline. Let's look at why this happened to help you better configure your boat.
