highdesertranger
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this has what has me so confused, so many different opinions. same on youtube. someone says xyz works, someone else says it doesn't. highdesertranger
Survey: Do you use an external wifi antenna with amplifier?
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LowTech
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akrvbob - I just searched that up and it looks like it's just the same antenna w/ some extras, like duel band and it makes it's own ground plane.
So it does have some pluses, like being able to use it on rigs that are made of something other than metal.
Nothing about it makes it be able to pick up a weaker signal. Wasn't really an upgrade unless you were mounting it on a fiberglass rig.
So it does have some pluses, like being able to use it on rigs that are made of something other than metal.
Nothing about it makes it be able to pick up a weaker signal. Wasn't really an upgrade unless you were mounting it on a fiberglass rig.
Bob,
I can only generalize about this topic as I have no experience in the cell phone accessories market. Because different cell phone services can use a different range of frequencies, one should be careful to purchase an antenna that is correct for your cell service. For example a certain cell phone service will operate within 850 to 900 Mhz portion, yet an antenna was made for a cell phone that operates in the 800 to 850 Mhz range that is used by a different. Use this antenna with a cell phone that operates in a different range within the band for cell phones, and it will not perform. The link I provided will take you to an outfit that really knows their stuff and can steer you right. And their high performance antennas appear to be multi-band. There one might pick up an antenna that works for both their cell service and for wifi. That would be a convenient and cost effective combination.
I can only generalize about this topic as I have no experience in the cell phone accessories market. Because different cell phone services can use a different range of frequencies, one should be careful to purchase an antenna that is correct for your cell service. For example a certain cell phone service will operate within 850 to 900 Mhz portion, yet an antenna was made for a cell phone that operates in the 800 to 850 Mhz range that is used by a different. Use this antenna with a cell phone that operates in a different range within the band for cell phones, and it will not perform. The link I provided will take you to an outfit that really knows their stuff and can steer you right. And their high performance antennas appear to be multi-band. There one might pick up an antenna that works for both their cell service and for wifi. That would be a convenient and cost effective combination.
LowTech
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RogueRV2 said:
So far I've only seen the duel band like what Bob has, and both of those bands are used by cell companies.
http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/threads/800-mhz-vs-1900-mhz.8376/
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If I switch antennas, it will be to a Wilson directional and nothing else. If anything I'd try to gt it higher because that more anything else improves signal.
Bob
Bob
LowTech
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RogueRV2 said:
I did find that they make such a thing,
http://www.antennaplus.com/products/cell-wifi.aspx
Here's another,
they seem to have pretty low gains.
http://www.wpsantennas.com/PCTMBPTS...Cell-PCS-WiFi-Permanent-Mount-Multi-Band.aspx
Just to clarify, here's the link from my earlier post to the outfit that offers high gain directional antenna's for cell phones. This technical stuff is often difficult to understand and confusion sets in, so I'll leave folks with this should they have any questions. This outfit can answer your questions and improve your cell service. One antenna does not fit all cell phones. One should know the frequency range of their cell service before buying any antenna.
http://www.wpsantennas.com/high-gaindirectionalyagicellularandpcsantennas.aspx
http://www.wpsantennas.com/high-gaindirectionalyagicellularandpcsantennas.aspx
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RogueRV2, I appreciate your info very much!! It applies to a wide range of people.
The thing with me is that I have the Wilson Sleek and my antenna goes to it, not my phone. My Jetpack sits in the cradle and rebroadcasts the signal as WIFI and my phone connects to it's WIFI signal just as my laptop and Kindle do.
Wilson makes several types of Sleeks for the different carriers, mine is designed for the Verizon 3g 4g signal. The antenna is designed for it.
I guess I'm just assuming they designed them properly.
Bob
The thing with me is that I have the Wilson Sleek and my antenna goes to it, not my phone. My Jetpack sits in the cradle and rebroadcasts the signal as WIFI and my phone connects to it's WIFI signal just as my laptop and Kindle do.
Wilson makes several types of Sleeks for the different carriers, mine is designed for the Verizon 3g 4g signal. The antenna is designed for it.
I guess I'm just assuming they designed them properly.
Bob
Hi Bob,
That sounds like a good system that I will probably end up with as well. It good to see that it has worked well for you. I would also like to have wifi just about anywhere I might end up. This is one luxury I would sacrifice something else to have. I could even go on a diet if necessary! But fortunately I probably won't... Where the antenna is located can make a big difference. Ideally it should be outside on the roof, surrounded by metal foot print at least 10 inches in diameter. More is better. If metal is not located where the antenna can be placed, use a cookie sheet, pie, or pizza pan underneath the antenna as the ground plane. Of course convenience is sometimes king, and a less than optimal location can work well enough, but for optimal performance, this is best one can do for this type of antenna. And the higher the better. Try to get it above all other obstructions that are on the roof. The directional antennas might be more hassle for most folks than they are worth. But they could work good for the die hard.
Been doing some long range planning and mapping out my first route. Wickenburg, Cottonwood, Ehrenburg, Quartzsite, Prescott, and Flagstaff do look like a real winners, and the best choices for my first winter on the road. I've got plans and the basic parts to make an approximately 16" x 16" x 6" thin swamp cooler should there be enough water to run it. It will probably use an excessive amount of water, but I've just gotta build it and see what happens. Hopefully I can be camp host somewhere up high for the warm months.
That sounds like a good system that I will probably end up with as well. It good to see that it has worked well for you. I would also like to have wifi just about anywhere I might end up. This is one luxury I would sacrifice something else to have. I could even go on a diet if necessary! But fortunately I probably won't... Where the antenna is located can make a big difference. Ideally it should be outside on the roof, surrounded by metal foot print at least 10 inches in diameter. More is better. If metal is not located where the antenna can be placed, use a cookie sheet, pie, or pizza pan underneath the antenna as the ground plane. Of course convenience is sometimes king, and a less than optimal location can work well enough, but for optimal performance, this is best one can do for this type of antenna. And the higher the better. Try to get it above all other obstructions that are on the roof. The directional antennas might be more hassle for most folks than they are worth. But they could work good for the die hard.
Been doing some long range planning and mapping out my first route. Wickenburg, Cottonwood, Ehrenburg, Quartzsite, Prescott, and Flagstaff do look like a real winners, and the best choices for my first winter on the road. I've got plans and the basic parts to make an approximately 16" x 16" x 6" thin swamp cooler should there be enough water to run it. It will probably use an excessive amount of water, but I've just gotta build it and see what happens. Hopefully I can be camp host somewhere up high for the warm months.
http://www.simplewifi.com/long-range-20dbi-panel-with-18-beamwidth.html $68
http://www.simplewifi.com/alfa-1000mw-usb.html $29
http://www.simplewifi.com/c195nsm03.html $11
Highdesertranger,
I have been using this set up now for over 6 months. There are 3 unsecured hotspots directly from the provider of this area with this antenna as it is pointed in one particular direction, and there would be more if I rotated it looking for others. I estimate that the range is approximately 1/8 to 1/2 mile. Range is severely limited by terrain and foliage. I'm actually in a 'hole' where even the cell tower that is close by is often spotty. I can only get out with a 2 meter radio using full power, or 70 watts. This location is lousy for radio signals. However, wifi signal strength is 4 or 5 bars, and the speed varies from 11Mbps to 54Mbps. When one hotspot gets slow or drops out, I simple choose from the others. It is rare that I do not have a connection. I've been using this and another set up for about 1 1/2 years. If I turn it off, I would not 'see' any hotspots, secured or unsecured. If you buy those parts, you will likely have some success and easier access, and likely better success than I should you be located above the elevation of the average terrain, where as I am located 50 to 100 feet lower than the average terrain. It sucks to be in a hole, yet it still works...
http://www.simplewifi.com/alfa-1000mw-usb.html $29
http://www.simplewifi.com/c195nsm03.html $11
Highdesertranger,
I have been using this set up now for over 6 months. There are 3 unsecured hotspots directly from the provider of this area with this antenna as it is pointed in one particular direction, and there would be more if I rotated it looking for others. I estimate that the range is approximately 1/8 to 1/2 mile. Range is severely limited by terrain and foliage. I'm actually in a 'hole' where even the cell tower that is close by is often spotty. I can only get out with a 2 meter radio using full power, or 70 watts. This location is lousy for radio signals. However, wifi signal strength is 4 or 5 bars, and the speed varies from 11Mbps to 54Mbps. When one hotspot gets slow or drops out, I simple choose from the others. It is rare that I do not have a connection. I've been using this and another set up for about 1 1/2 years. If I turn it off, I would not 'see' any hotspots, secured or unsecured. If you buy those parts, you will likely have some success and easier access, and likely better success than I should you be located above the elevation of the average terrain, where as I am located 50 to 100 feet lower than the average terrain. It sucks to be in a hole, yet it still works...
LowTech
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akrvbob said:
Bob - I will be using the same set up minus the Jetpack, I'll just use my phone. You are correct about the antenna being designed for that set up. One advantage that antenna has is that it has it's own ground plane (the four little rods sticking out parllel to the ground) and could be elevated on a pole w/o the need to do anything else to it, no pie plate, piece of metal, etc, needed.
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Low Tech, elevation is the key to them. I checked out another spot that was a little higher than mine and got another bar and then a hill behind it and I was up to 5 bars of 4G. So Just raising it would help.
Bob
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RogueRV2, I don't want to hijack your thread, but I'd reconsider Flagstaff and Prescott in the winter. Today, the overnight low there was 4 and the high was 29. You'd be warmer down in the desert.
Bob
Bob
Hi Bob,
I mentioned my plans as an aside and appreciate the advice to avoid Flagstaff and Prescott this time of the year. Your advice to move higher to avoid the high desert temps is well remembered. The rule is that it is 3.5 degrees cooler for every 1000 feet increase in elevation. Will save Prescot/Flagstaff for the summer. Right now in Montana, we have 20F and snow. But I do have that wood stove and a coach set up for extreme cold weather, but I'm tired of the cold! The desert will be a much healthier place for me.
HighDesertRanger,
Here's the 24bdi parabolic antenna I used successfully for about a year. It is currently mounted on my MH.
I mentioned my plans as an aside and appreciate the advice to avoid Flagstaff and Prescott this time of the year. Your advice to move higher to avoid the high desert temps is well remembered. The rule is that it is 3.5 degrees cooler for every 1000 feet increase in elevation. Will save Prescot/Flagstaff for the summer. Right now in Montana, we have 20F and snow. But I do have that wood stove and a coach set up for extreme cold weather, but I'm tired of the cold! The desert will be a much healthier place for me.
HighDesertRanger,
Here's the 24bdi parabolic antenna I used successfully for about a year. It is currently mounted on my MH.
