check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar rearview170 Beam Communications SatPhone Shop Topargee products Enginesaver Low Water Alarms
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Techies' Corner -> WiFi Antenna
Post Info TOPIC: WiFi Antenna
PeterD


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4730
Date:
WiFi Antenna
Permalink Closed

Beth, there is two radio signals involved in your device. There is the Wi-Fi signals used to operate other other lap-tops through the modem ("Supports up to 5 users / wi-fi enabled devices") There also is the Next-G radio signals that are used to connect you to the Telstra Next-G mobile radio network and from there out to the WWW.

Are you really wanting better signals so your neighbours can enjoy your internet connection. I think perhaps you are looking for a better connection to the WWW. The search terms you should be using are something like "mobile telephone antenna" or " next-g antenna."

Here is the style of antenna I use - http://www.mobileextras.com.au/ProductDetails/tabid/65/CategoryID/113/ProductID/356/Default.aspx - I think DSE may be getting out of selling the antenna (I have seen shops without them.) Jaycar or any shop selling CB equipment usually have them. You will also need a patch cable to plug into your modem to connect to the antenna cable. You may be able to get them from a Telstra shop or a mobile phone accessory store.

 

edit - looks like JC and I were typing together.



-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 7th of September 2012 02:39:46 PM

__________________

PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 
Beth54


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 6513
Date:
Permalink Closed

Thanks Jim. Yes, apparently there is an external antenna available. I was just confused when I googled. There was so many weird and wonderful antennas!

Thanks Peter. You were right...I don't really want to 'share' my internet. Thanks to your suggestion of wording for the search box, I came across a thread from April - computer while travelling - which has been most helpful.



-- Edited by Beth54 on Saturday 8th of September 2012 11:12:29 AM



-- Edited by Beth54 on Saturday 8th of September 2012 11:13:23 AM

__________________

Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
Beth54


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 6513
Date:
Permalink Closed

I know there was a thread on this subject, but I'm obviously using the wrong wording in the search box, as I can't find it.

While out west this week, I found my Telstra Elite Wi Fi

 https://www.telstra.com.au/online-shop/mobile-broadband-product.cfm?flow=prepaid&device=telstra-elite-wifi&ti=TR:TR:Sep12:elitepricedrop:prepaidbroadband:banner 

may have done better with an antenna on the roof of the van. The van came with a pole and TV antenna so I wondered if I could also attach an antenna for the WiFi to this pole. (I'm currently not using a TV in the van, but I may in future.)

I've googled and found all kinds of home made antennas, but do they really work?

 

 



__________________

Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
Beth54


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 6513
Date:
Permalink Closed

PeterD wrote:
Froggy wrote:
Multi  band aerials are never a good option and not a good investment. Sadly only people void of technical knowledge would buy or even worse recommend an aerial of this type.

 Well Froggy you made a real goose of yourself there. You start your reply by making a big wrap up on a multiband antenna. You then you denigrate an antenna that is nearly identical manufactured by an alternative supplier and call into question my technical Knowledge. How long is it going to take you to scrub the egg off your face.

 

  Well said Peter. I did see your qualifications at the bottom of your comment. wink



-- Edited by Beth54 on Friday 7th of September 2012 08:41:40 PM

__________________

Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
justcruisin01


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4206
Date:
Permalink Closed

Beth54 wrote:

I know there was a thread on this subject, but I'm obviously using the wrong wording in the search box, as I can't find it.

While out west this week, I found my Telstra Elite Wi Fi

 https://www.telstra.com.au/online-shop/mobile-broadband-product.cfm?flow=prepaid&device=telstra-elite-wifi&ti=TR:TR:Sep12:elitepricedrop:prepaidbroadband:banner 

may have done better with an antenna on the roof of the van. The van came with a pole and TV antenna so I wondered if I could also attach an antenna for the WiFi to this pole. (I'm currently not using a TV in the van, but I may in future.)

I've googled and found all kinds of home made antennas, but do they really work?

 

 

 Providing your modem has the provision to receive the ant cable then its a good improvement to have an external ant fitted. A normal phone ant is what we use, just need the patch leads to connect to either the phone or the modem. The modem needs a small plugin facility the same as your phone has.

JC.



__________________

 

 

Be your self; there's no body better qualified !                    "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"

 

JC.

 


 

                                             

                

    

                          

Froggy


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 7
Date:
Permalink Closed

http://www.zcg.com.au/data_link_nextg_gsm_band_antennas.htm depending on where you want to mount the aerial, these are the NextG aerials technically correct for NextG 850Mhz. These aerials are available in various base mounts. The AN1600 is a NextG aerial with marine fold down base which is ideal for maximum performance in rural areas to mount on your caravan. The ZCG AN1600 is the aerial of choice and most popular among travellers.

The aerial mentioned http://www.mobileextras.com.au/ProductDetails/tabid/65/CategoryID/113/ProductID/356/Default.aspx will not perform well being a multi band aerials. Multi band aerials are notorious for been poor performers in the frequency band you want for NextG. Multi  band aerials are never a good option and not a good investment. Sadly only people void of technical knowledge would buy or even worse recommend an aerial of this type.

The external aerial patch lead you need is a TS9 plug for the MF60 ZTE. Many will sell you a patch lead with a CRC9 plug which does not fit correctly and will fail and prevent you from getting maximum performance.

 



__________________
PeterD


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4730
Date:
Permalink Closed

Froggy wrote:
Multi  band aerials are never a good option and not a good investment. Sadly only people void of technical knowledge would buy or even worse recommend an aerial of this type.

 Well Froggy you made a real goose of yourself there. You start your reply by making a big wrap up on a multiband antenna. You then you denigrate an antenna that is nearly identical manufactured by an alternative supplier and call into question my technical Knowledge. How long is it going to take you to scrub the egg off your face.

 

Now to all the others watching this thread. Multi band antennas are not necessarily poor performers. Both of these antennas are manufactured by reputable companies with good engineering backup. I know RFI do test their antennas on an antenna range, you can thus trust their claims.

For the technical details:

RFI

  •  Ideal for all new 3G networks with true multi-band coverage
  •  6.5dBi gain across 824-960MHz suiting fringe and rural applications
  •  Min. 3dBi gain at 2100MHz to suit metropolitan applications today and future proofing for network expansions

ZCG Scalar

Gain         6.2 dBi at 825 to 960 MHz
                 3 dBi at 1710 to 2190 MHz

 

I can recommend both antennas. They are fairly similar, both specifications were copied and pasted from their respective web sites.



__________________

PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 
Webmaster


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 714
Date:
Permalink Closed

Hi all,
Interesting discussion here. However, just a reminder to keep posts limited to the issues rather than straying into personal digs.  We pride ourselves as being a friendly and positive place to be and hope everyone will treat each other with respect and courtesy.  Thanks.



__________________
Froggy


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 7
Date:
Permalink Closed

The turkeys are out in force gobbling and grovelling in the dirt to try and score points to demonstrate their technical ineptness.

No wonder so many in the RV industry buy equipment 2 or 3 times before they get the correct equipment. Sadly the technically bereft take poor and not the optimal advice from the techically ignorant and then wonder why when they get to a NextG low signal area others have reception and they don't. A multi band aerial is never a good choice against a dedicated frequency aerial. For maximum performance in low signal areas the only choice is a dedicated frequency aerial. Travelling in areas that are low in signal strength I see travellers all the time with these multi band aerials and then they wonder why they cannot get reception. No need to tell you the rest of the technical story and confuse you with facts as your tainted minds are made up.



__________________
Happywanderer


The Master

Status: Offline
Posts: 12473
Date:
Permalink Closed

Wow, that didn't take long.

__________________




Happy Wanderer    

Don't worry, Be Happy! 

Live! Like someone left the gate open

 

 

 
Brenda and Alan


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1237
Date:
Permalink Closed

Froggy must have got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning!

__________________
Beth54


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 6513
Date:
Permalink Closed

As I'm one of the 'technically bereft', I was after a simple reply, which I found in 'computer while travelling'. smile

Someone needs to go to the naughty corner or back to the swamp maybe. disbelief

I'm happy for you to close this thread Cindy.



__________________

Beth, now living on the Redcliffe Peninsula, SEQ.

 

 
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> Techies' Corner -> WiFi Antenna
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook