External aerial for Neotel

Robocop

Robocop

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Hi there

Does anyone know if there is a external aerial or signal booster available that will work with the Neotel device ?
 
Sorry...

Not sure if there is, but thanks for the heads up...Think I will go with the ADSL line instead then...;)
 
I am under the impression that Neotel's CDMA service is operating in the 800MHz band. Maybe you could try a green band UHF TV aerial from Ellies which covers Channel 68 or one of their indoor types.
http://www.ellies.co.za/v2/index.php?id=595
http://www.ellies.co.za/v2/index.php?id=7
http://www.ellies.co.za/v2/index.php?id=589
http://www.ellies.co.za/v2/index.php?id=590
http://www.ellies.co.za/v2/index.php?id=591
TV channel frequencies
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/terrestrial/tuning/
Simple DIY aerial that might also be suitable ...
http://www.perite.com/vk7jj/NextGYagi.htm
 
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If thats the case, I will first try my tv aerial that's still mounted and just sitting there , since I got DSTV.
It should cover the 800-1200Mhz range.
 
Thanks for the info Yotch,
I am in pta am on the fringes of the neotel coverage

I have a few questions though
1. is the cdma signal from the tower very directional sensitive?
2. how do u get the RF connector from the antenna on to your CDMA modem?

I would like to try and see if I could make an antenna, I think I'll learn someting in the process as well.

I suppose this is what I would be aiming for
http://wanlitong.manufacturer.globa...obile-phone/1001272393/CDMA-Phone-Antenna.htm
 
thesones said:
Thanks for the info Yotch,
I am in pta am on the fringes of the neotel coverage

I have a few questions though
1. is the cdma signal from the tower very directional sensitive?
2. how do u get the RF connector from the antenna on to your CDMA modem?
Click to expand...

2. I got a connector from Poynting that you can use to terminate your coax.
 
@thesones & Robocop: I think that the signal will be very directional but there might be several towers in range so you may need to experiment a bit. The antenna in the link that you posted would be perfect except that it's probably not easily available or possibly quite expensive. The usual CDMA 800 frequencies are 824~849 MHz (transmit) and 869~894 MHz (receive). This is why that antenna is designed for use between 824~894MHz.

The green band Ellies UHF TV antenna is designed for Channels 53~68 i.e. between 730~850MHz so it's not a perfect match but it should be very cheap. ZakSpeed for example have a green band UHF antenna listed on their website for R58. SpaceTV also sell similar UHF antennae (www.spacetv.co.za). This is incidentally the same antenna that is required to receive the new digital DVB-T transmissions.
http://www.zakspeed.co.za/ProdDetails.asp?MMid=1&SMid=2&ProdID=2311
http://www.khmcellular.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=ANT-101
If you wanted to change the direction regularly you could look at an antenna rotator ...
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/7744000/Powtek_Controlled_Rotating_Antenna_UHF_VHF.html

Ellies supplies two types of green band antennae, the standard one and one with an "F" connector. The latter one would probably be more convenient as you can screw a pigtail onto the connector but it might be more expensive.
http://www.ellies.co.za/ellies/products/aerials/uhf.php
Maybe you could take your phone over to Ellies, ZakSpeed (very near Neotel Jhb HQ) or SpaceTV etc. together with a suitable pigtail to do a test in the shop before purchasing.

The DIY antenna that I posted previously is designed for 839.8MHz (transmit) and 884.8MHz (receive) frequencies so this should be a good match.

Here are a few other DIY ideas ...
http://273k.net/gsm/designing-and-building-a-gsm-antenna/yagi/
850MHz 6 element Yagi template
http://273k.net/gsm/designing-and-building-a-gsm-antenna/yagi/gsm-850_6element_yagi_template.pdf
Enhanced cellular Yagi
http://www.xyhd.tv/2008/03/how-to/do-it-yourself-ikea-enhanced-35db-cellular-yagi-antenna/

@Robocop: What TV antenna do you have currently?
 
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Why were Neotel digging up roads and driveways if they are a wireless service? :confused:
 
Yotch said:
@Robocop: What TV antenna do you have currently?
Click to expand...
I'm not to sure...looks like a normal UHF TV antenna. It came with the house, and everything is wired up, so I thought I'd give it a shot before rigging up a new system.
 
How do you expect them to Link their towers if they don't do it underground?...
the Service is Wireless to your HOUSE or BUSINESS...

They need to power the towers SOMEHOW...
 
@ Yotch & Robocop: I just spoke to the Neotel call center and they don't want to sell me a package if my area doesn't have "Excellent Coverage" , not good, not great, but Excellent!
I was then put through to one of the tech guys and I think I can convince him, he says he'll call me back later today and tell me where the closest tower is.

One more thing, Neotels service is not fully mobile, so u would be 'bound' (don't know the correct tech word) to one tower (maybe 2), so your antenna direction would stay pretty much fixed. It however should not be a problem for them to 'bind' you to another closer tower when it becomes operational?

Thanks again Yotch, your info is spot on!
 
thesones said:
@ Yotch & Robocop: I just spoke to the Neotel call center and they don't want to sell me a package if my area doesn't have "Excellent Coverage" , not good, not great, but Excellent!
I was then put through to one of the tech guys and I think I can convince him, he says he'll call me back later today and tell me where the closest tower is.

One more thing, Neotels service is not fully mobile, so u would be 'bound' (don't know the correct tech word) to one tower (maybe 2), so your antenna direction would stay pretty much fixed. It however should not be a problem for them to 'bind' you to another closer tower when it becomes operational?

Thanks again Yotch, your info is spot on!
Click to expand...
I got my device with the intention to use it at work in Sunninghill wich has excellent coverage, but I have taken my device home to Boksburg, and I have made in car calls all the way home from work. That tells me that the device is not linked to a specific tower. I do believe that is is bound by area code. You won't for example be able to use your 011 area code device in an 012....etc. area.
 
I'm actually battling to get the right spares to build the Yagi. Can't get 50 Ohm coax or 10mm aluminium tubing.
Have tried the green band UHF but there was no improvement.
 
@Robocop: Sorry to hear that the green band TV aerial does not help.

You can get 9.5mm tubing with a 1.6mm wall thickness from Metal Centre in Selby (011-499-1527) for R6-50 per meter (you need <2m) or from Action Mica in Randburg (011-886-3102) (~R36 for 2.5m). Just call first to confirm availability. You should be able to find something suitable closer to your location though. Just try some of the aluminium suppliers nearby.

RG-58U coax should be suitable - probably available from most TV aerial equipment suppliers (Ellies, Zak Speed, SpaceTV etc.) or hardware stores - possibly even Pick n Pay?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable

You should be able to use an old 3mm wire coathanger for that other 850MHz 6 element design if you can't find any 3mm brass rod but the design that you are already working on would probably work much better.
 
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alanjohnstone said:
You are correct - it is geographically limited based on area codes.
Click to expand...

Good thing as I am always mobile, no more Vodacom 3G, I am going to cancel with immediate effect --- as I am more in JHB, but I think the device should work for internet in every other base station, but I'm very proud of such company to be out :) Well Done NeoTel :)
 
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