Knowledge Base
How far from shore will a cellular booster on my boat receive cell signal?
A marine cell signal booster can help improve cellular signal on your boat and increase the range you can get from shore and still receive cellular signal.
How far you can travel from shore and still receive enough signal for your booster to amplify depends on several factors, including:
- If there is a cell tower with an antenna pointed out to sea in your direction.
- What band of cellular frequency the tower’s antenna is broadcasting. (Lower frequencies travel farther.)
- Weather conditions and sea state. (Cellular transmissions will travel farther when the sky is clear and the water surface is glassy.)
- The type and gain of the cell signal booster’s outside marine antenna and where it’s mounted. (An antenna mounted at the top of a mast will generally have better reception than one mounted on the deck.)
You’re more likely to receive cellular signal in high-traffic areas like inland waterways and passages close to shore. For vessels out at sea, it’s typical receive cell signal 3 to 8 miles from shore. We’ve seen signal boosters pick up signal as far as 18 miles from shore, but those are unusual situations that have taken place under optimal conditions.
