Wi FI Antennas

Submitted: Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 08:24
ThreadID: 102983 Views:2835 Replies:6 FollowUps:13
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Does anyone have some advice about the best external antenna to buy for use with a wireless modem. I will be in remote areas from time to time. I am looking at a Yagi Grid antenna. Any opinions on this one?
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Reply By: olcoolone - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 09:23

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 09:23
WiFi or wireless is short range only ranging from 50m for residential and up to 1km with more complex systems.

With WiFi and wireless you need to have a device connected that is accessing the internet first..... WiFi and wireless is how the laptop/tablet or desktop computer connects to the modem/router.

I think you mean mobile broadband from one of the mobile carriers, what carrier are you using.
AnswerID: 513859

Reply By: Sandman - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 09:25

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 09:25
Can I ask, is this on 3g (mobile) or 2.4ghz wireless ? Its a totally different beast, on 3g you can get 21db+++ antennas, have good signal strength however it still wont work beyond a set distance because thats how the network is designed....

Pete
AnswerID: 513860

Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 09:57

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 09:57
Or is it Nextg which operates on 850Mhz, I believe 3g operates on a different frequency.
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Follow Up By: Sandman - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 10:01

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 10:01
Either way the distance is limited via timing so no matter how big the Yagi, the distance will be set.....
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Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 11:44

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 11:44
Do you know what the distances are? When we were about 90km from Thargomindah, (Kilcowera Station near Lake Wyara), we could get nextg phone and internet on a whip antenna.
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Follow Up By: Jim 50 - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 12:48

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 12:48
Thanks for all the replies.
I will be using a Telstra Elite Pre-paid mobile wi-fi using the Next G network. I have purchased the appropriate patch lead. What I am trying to ascertain is the best external antenna for use with this system.
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Follow Up By: Sandman - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 14:24

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 14:24
Rod, might have given a bum steer. The timeslot issue is on GSM, not 3g... You learn something new when you google :-)

Jim 50, had a quick read on whirlpool, some folks have recommended talking to "Bruce" who owns http://radiospecialists.com.au/

Its either going to be a Yagi or Gridpack for long distances. There are a BUNCH on ebay with totally unrealistic performance figures so its going to be very hit and miss if you buy there.

Good luck..pete
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Reply By: Kris and Kev - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 11:26

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 11:26
We just have a magnetic base antenna and patch lead that we bought from a Telstra shop. It works great on our current 4g wireless modem, as well as it did on our old 3g one. Kevin
AnswerID: 513865

Follow Up By: Member - Rich - Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 19:44

Saturday, Jun 29, 2013 at 19:44
I asked about antennas at our local telstra store and they knew nothing about them.

This does not surprise me as they have disappointed me many times before, time to change store I think.

I have a the same modem so am on the look out for an antenna.

Would be useful where I am staying at the moment. When in the the room the network is woeful in most places. I found one spot which seems to work at 3G rates and is what I am using now. If I take the thing outside can get 4G. I recon an antenna would help.

Can you tell me where your local store is so I can at least refer my local to them.

Rich
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Follow Up By: Kris and Kev - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 10:02

Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 10:02
Rich,
Our antenna is just one of these - Magnetic Base Antenna
Lots of places sell them, even Ebay. Sometimes you have to move it about to get a signal, sometimes you will need to have it up high, but it works for us. Kevin
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Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 10:14

Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 10:14
You have to get the right frequency antenna for your phone system. eg Testra Nextg is 850Mhz. While nextg is a form of 3G, the work on different frequencies.
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Follow Up By: Kris and Kev - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 15:47

Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 15:47
Just saw these on the Jaycar web site, link -Jaycar antenna
.Kevin
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Reply By: Sigmund - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 17:38

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 17:38
It's a good question.

My bro uses a magnetic base antenna with 9db gain when he's boating off the Qld coast and reckons it helps.

I've played with one with 6db gain outback and found it useless.

I don't understand the tech but my take-out from reading stuff is that you still have to have line of sight to the base station or tower or whatever. An external antenna may help with signal *strength* under those circumstances.
AnswerID: 513878

Reply By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 20:19

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 20:19
Hi Jim......this is a real can of worms and as you will see with the posts opinions differ...some from arm chair experts with the theory ..that occasionally will be defied by the actual....and some from real experience.

I will tell you my experiences and what I use for my regular remote area travel for access to Telstra NextG (850MHz)

I carry 2 different Yagis ...one a 16dBi and one an 9 element......one of these I have made myself and one is a commercial brand

I also carry three Omni directional whips of different dBi ( or broom sticks)..these are the RFI brand....the 3 sizes are for use in different terrain (hilly / undulating/flat)..they all have their uses and subject to where you are one will work and others will not.....usually a terrain issue coupled with distance...In other words no one size fits all

Coupled to these with the respective patch leads I also (aside from my phone) use a Prepaid Telstra USB modem and also the wireless modem (both of these are the ZTE).......I find these ZTE devices are superior to the Telstra/ Bigpond USB Ultimate (Sierra) that I have on post paid....for some reason the ZTE devices are a lot more stable on a weak / remote signal than the Sierra devices

With the various combinations of antennae I have had voice and data out to 80km on flat country using the big Omni directional....also similar distances with the different Yagi's ....if your serious about getting a signal if at all possible then that may be the path you have to travel...carry some options

It may seem a lot but the broomsticks on the quick detachable mount take virtually no room (inside a postage/map cylinder) ..the Yagis a bit more bulky but not really an issue

Yagis biggest issue is the alignment required to get the signal.....but not really an issue with the right phone meter and knowledge of where the tower is located relative to your position..........The grid yagis look too bulky and a nuisance for me

Also cable choice and keeping it under 10 m and preferably under 5 meters is a significant benefit

Cheers

Life is a journey, it is not how we fall down, it is how we get up.
VKS 1341

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AnswerID: 513885

Follow Up By: Jim 50 - Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 20:33

Thursday, Jun 27, 2013 at 20:33
Brilliant - you addressed all the concerns I have, even if I didn't mention some of them. Thanks a million.
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Reply By: Echucan Bob - Friday, Jun 28, 2013 at 08:10

Friday, Jun 28, 2013 at 08:10
Jim, you need one of these : http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?index=0&sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=300844032409
Sadly, the Australian authorities have issues with these and can apply a $200k fine! Yikes, its not like you're killing someone. And they're legal everywhere else. Just make sure its well concealed and only turn on when necessary. A normal 3G whip is all you need. Linked to a hi gain Yagi and with line of sight you could achieve vast distances.

Bob
AnswerID: 513903

Follow Up By: Jim 50 - Friday, Jun 28, 2013 at 08:28

Friday, Jun 28, 2013 at 08:28
Thanks Bob, I'm on the money now.
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Follow Up By: VroomVroom - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 14:19

Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 14:19
So regarding this 55 dB booster on ebay as mentioned above , does it work with NexG or only 3G ?

who knows , it might get approved here and then i could trial one :)

and what kind of antenna is best for it ?


thankyou kindly


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Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 15:04

Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 15:04
Telstra sell a nextg 'Smart Antenna' booster system for $700.
Any antenna can be used.
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