Vogue On My Boat

[Lowranger]

I want to increase my range while at anchor. I need advice about selecting/installing an amplifier or repeater for my 22' cabin cruiser.

The preferred solution is a "direct-connect" amplifier such as the Wilson 811201. It requires an external antenna adapter that would be inserted into the port near the camera.
I searched the Vogue Section and found two pertinent threads.

Touch with Amplifier
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread...hlight=antenna

Interesting New Antenna Issue
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread...hlight=antenna

It looks like the antenna wiring gets damaged when an adapter is inserted. Or upon removal. Which is not clear.
I sure don't want to permanently disable my phone but the alternative looks unworkable too.

That would be a repeater such as the Wilson 801213 or their new Sleek. These don't require a direct-connection and would probably be used with one of their cradles.

Here's the problem with this set-up...repeaters need to have the external antenna (externally mounted fiberglass marine cellular antenna) separated a great distance away from the internal antenna (cradle). The distance requirement varies depending on the power of the amp and the material separating them. That is, the fiberglass "house" of my boat provides little shielding compared to that of a car made of metal. In the case of a car, an antenna can be placed on the roof just a few feet away. On a glass boat the distance required is much greater. I see reports that even 15 feet is too close. If the antennas are too close they interfere with each other and the amp/repeater shuts itself down or is damaged.

On my little cruiser 15 feet of separation isn't practical(possible ?).

So, if a repeater won't work and the antenna adapter ruins my phone what are my options ???

One final thing, the linked threads suggest that I MIGHT be able to install an adapter one time if I never disconnected it. If this is true I could simply leave the Vogue permanently installed in my boat.

In this case I'd activate it when I'm going boating and switch back to my other Vogue(I have two) when I return to shore.

I sure hope someone here can help me out. I suffer withdrawals when I'm on the water and can't access PPCGEEKS(and other, less important sites).