Possible antenna options

MarkJC · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:48 pm Post subject: Possible antenna options

Hello folks.. i'm receiving a Verizon UM150 USB modem to play with in a couple of days, and despite being smack dab in the middle of their coverage area, I have a hunch that I will probably need either an antenna, amp, or both to get a reliable signal due to our terrain and other factors.

For various reasons, it is unlikely that we will be installing an outdoor external antenna. With this being the case, i'm currently examining my options for indoor antennas only.

Doing some browsing, i've run across a few different antennas for indoor use. I was wondering if anyone knew any pros/cons to choosing a particular one or could possibly suggest a better one not listed here. Is there more to consider than just the dBi gain for an indoors antenna? Most likely it would rest in the same room as the modem but on a shelf at higher elevation. All of these antennas appear to be priced about the same.

6" Booster antenna, 3dBi gain:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ARC-Freedom-Antenna-To-Alltel-Verizon-UM150-USB-Modem_W0QQitemZ320273290061QQcmdZViewItem

13" antenna, 7dBi gain:
https://www.maximumsignal.net/xcart/product.php?productid=16168

19" indoor/outdoor antenna, 11dBi gain:
http://cgi.ebay.com/11db-Booster-Antenna-for-Verizon-Alltel-UM150-USB-Modem_W0QQitemZ300243093805QQcmdZViewItem

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:53 am Post subject:

IF you need an antenna the first thing to try is a usb extension cable to get it positioned higher or in a window facing the tower direction. Check your RSSI/signal and move it around for the best location. do some speed tests. If all that gets you no improvement then get an antenna. Not a magnetic base which is made to go on a vehicle and requires a ground plane.
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MarkJC · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject:

Hi Jim, I read a blog post on http://evdotips.blogspot.com/ is that your blog by any chance. It talks about mounting a magnetic base antenna to a round piece of metal for a ground plane in order to use it indoors. Would using a higher gain antenna with a magnetic base indoors (such as the 19" above) provide more of a signal boost than the normal indoor antennas with lower gain?

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject:

Yes, that is my blog. It really depends how close to, and what is between, you and the tower. The higher dBi antenna is not going to boost the signal but it does have further reach and also a shorter vertical RF pattern, whereas the lower dBi antenna is opposite. So higher dBi is not always better. It just depends on the location of you vs. the tower. If you anticipate being mobile at times perhaps the mag mount would be a good choice. Just use the ground plane when at a fixed location. But try the USB extension first, you can always use it in conjunction with the any other antenna. And try to locate where your signal is coming from.
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Alex · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:49 am Post subject:

We've written an article that helps our customers collect info needed to determine their antenna gear:

http://www.EVDOinfo.com/RSSI

Its usually best to know what you have to work with, before deciding what antenna you may need.