Yagi, Cone,Trucker,Other? What type of Antenna to use - HELP

digitalincome · EVDO Newbie Joined: 19 Nov 2008 Posts: 4

I’m doing the research on setting up an antenna/amplifier system to increate signal strength as I’m in an area that has lousy coverage no matter what carrier I choose – but could use some advice on components.

The most important part to start is the type of antenna so the amplifiers/repeaters have something to work with – but I’m lost in reading conflicting info from manufactures. Yagi, Dome, Cone and a million other types has me frustrated. I would rather go with a mobile system but from what I’ve read so far most are more form areas that get at least a couple bars consistently – which is not the case here – so I'm stuck with investing more.

I found one that is a yagi dual band directional antenna that has 14 elements and says 24 db gain for $99, but makes me think it’s a miss-print as most are substantially less. I know I have to buy a low loss cable to make allowance for what will inevitably be lost as I run it 40-50’. Is anyone familiar with this antenna? When I look at Wilson yagis – they have half the gain?

I plan to go with a Wilson dual band amplifier because from what they show in their test results they are better for recognizing lower signals compared to * and others that boast more about not interfering with towers and using software to regulate. I had Nextel’s when I moved here but canceled because their IDen network is useless in this area, then went with Sprint but it was inconstant, called Verizon and was told I was on a fringe area that may not get good signal, and ended up with Alltel as a last resort.

Although I pay Alltel for service my phone simply says “no service” most of the time and my voice mail says " cal my home phone because I don't know you called". I haven’t decided what to do on the inside and use a razr v9m phone that the Wilson amplifier will be either patched to or using a Wilson cradle. (another consideration is that although the area is currently 1-x , my phone is caplable to handle EDVO and Rev A, if it ever becomes available and I’d also like to get a Data Card if the system works to replace my equally useless dial-up net connection)

I don’t have LOS of the nearest tower about 5 miles away and live in a small valley – but plan to mount it on top of a 20’ telephone pole. Another question is how to test the gain as I “fine-tune” the direction to maximize the antenna? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the length of this post but I wanted to ask the experts what to do before plunking down a bunch of cash. Thanks - TJ

onedavester · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:11 am Post subject:

Non line of sight situations are best met with a Parabolic Grid IMHO. Just buy from a vendor that will allow returns.

SteveInArk · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:06 am Post subject:

Agree with the other poster, a parabolic grid would be the best antenna. Good coax to get the signal into the house would be LMR400. This current thread will help some:
http://www.evdoforums.com/thread10866.html

As for testing the signal to adjust antenna direction, this forum staff has a good thread on reading the RSSI:

http://www.evdoinfo.com/rssi

Typical connections is shown well in this thread:

http://www.evdoforums.com/thread10442.html

Hope those threads help.
_________________
Steve

digitalincome · EVDO Newbie Joined: 19 Nov 2008 Posts: 4

It seeams to be a concensus that of directional antennas that the parobolic grids ones are better if more than several miles from the nearest tower - and no LOS - however - since I don't want to be locked into one carried or type of compatible product - does anyone know if they make a grid antenna that is dual band or do i have to purchase more than one? I can go with the frequescy that Altell uses in my area for now - but plan to buy an aplifier that is dual band, as verison and alltel share the local towers but use different frequencies, and don't like being locked in to one servcie provider. I know they make dual band yagi antennas and dual band amps - but do they make dual band dish or grid type antennas that would all work together?

n6gn · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject: Re: Dual band?

digitalincome · EVDO Newbie Joined: 19 Nov 2008 Posts: 4

N6gn - Thanks for the reply – Filling a void in the market is exactly how an “idea” turns to great wealth. As for cheap knockoffs – that would be expected but could be offset by emphasizing made in the US and support from US customer service and would be worth more to anyone that has ever bought foreign made electronics and been through the circle-jerk of trying to resolve an issue with it using automated teleprompts only to end with someone that speaks broken English. I hope you do design one that is known for it’s range and dual band – create an affiliate program and bank the results. Another idea since I’m brainstorming is to sell a downloadable protected pdf manual – using low cost commonly marked products, and make a killer systems verified by independent analysis and market your book as a niche to do-it your-selfers -but provide TJ (me)a free copy for giving you the idea. Razz

. I’m stick for now because they don’t make the grid types dual band – so I guess I’ll have to look for a killer deal on a yagi the has ridiculous gain at 5-7 miles range.