Advice on external Antennae

[Freshy-ZN]

I know nothing about these things but I am moving to a location where the cell signal as well as data is really iffy. Vodacom seems to be slightly better than MTN but at this location one has to find very specific spots around the property to get a signal at all.

I need to try boost the signal, hopefully enough to get a decent data connection. I cant see the nearest cell towers. There are hills surrounding the property as well as trees. The house itself has a corrugated metal (zinc?) roof.

Some questions to get started:
1) Omni directional or one you aim in the direction of a tower?
2) Does the Antenna itself broadcast the strengthened signal or do you have some sort of modem at the end of the cable?
3) If there were two people on seperate networks would the Antenna provide for both or only one at a time?
4) What sort of strengths and frequencies do I need to get?

Thanks in advance.

 

[upup]

talk to a voda or mtn tech. what do the neighbors do.
1.directing antenna.
2.It needs to a socket/ proper connection to your device.
3. lets go for one at a time.
4. depends how weak the signal is. Mtn can measure that for you.. 900 mhz or 1800. 900 goes longer.

 

[Freshy-ZN]

Thanks

1) You mean one you point? But if I cant see the towers and if they are behind hills etc how does that work?
2) I see there are routers that the antenna can end at. Would the router then broadcast cell and data signal
3) ok
4) Signal is weak but like I said if you stand in very specific places its there. Im thinking that by getting a few metres off the ground Ill catch decent signal.

 

[sajunky]

2. Routers are in place to create your own local network. Yes, all authorised users wll be able to use single connection. This is for Internet data. If you mean sharing voice calls, answer is no. Such devices are called repeaters, can be installed only by network operators.
all other: You will have to find a spot with the best signal, usually on the roof.

 

[upup]

contact your sp, like voda, and they give this regen, there is a name for it, to farmers who stay far. the thiing regen the signal, and you have cell signal as far as a wifi can tx.
Dont know what it cost. If Vodacom install it, then only vodacom can use this signal.

 

[FlatspinZA]

Get a directional antenna from Poynting. You just need to figure out where your tower is - you can do it yourself.

 

[Terencek]

A Poynting technician also pointed out to me (no pun intended....) that you do not have to have line-of-sight to a tower -- that the signal will bounce off the atmosphere even if there is a hill in the way as the OP stated. I'm assuming this provided information is correct?

 

[ajax]

A Poynting technician also pointed out to me (no pun intended....) that you do not have to have line-of-sight to a tower -- that the signal will bounce off the atmosphere even if there is a hill in the way as the OP stated. I'm assuming this provided information is correct?

Signals can sometimes "bounce off the atmosphere" and sometimes not, depends strongly on the atmospheric conditions, weather and frequency. There is also diffraction (bending of the signal over/around a hill/mountain etc.), but this effect, rather the benefit of this effect, drops off the higher you go in frequency.

If there is no line of sight there is also the possibility of degraded throughput because of multipath effects, i.e. two signals reaching the antenna, one around the hill and the other bouncing off e.g. a tall building, and not in-phase.
/thinking back of ghosting on the picture using a bunny-ears antenna for SABC in the old days.
But how much this degradation could be I am not sure. sajunky is probably the one to ask about this.

 

[Sneeky]

I know nothing about these things but I am moving to a location where the cell signal as well as data is really iffy. Vodacom seems to be slightly better than MTN but at this location one has to find very specific spots around the property to get a signal at all.

I need to try boost the signal, hopefully enough to get a decent data connection. I cant see the nearest cell towers. There are hills surrounding the property as well as trees. The house itself has a corrugated metal (zinc?) roof.

Some questions to get started:
1) Omni directional or one you aim in the direction of a tower?
2) Does the Antenna itself broadcast the strengthened signal or do you have some sort of modem at the end of the cable?
3) If there were two people on seperate networks would the Antenna provide for both or only one at a time?
4) What sort of strengths and frequencies do I need to get?

Thanks in advance.

Freshy, I have a Pointing 3G Antenna I am not using. (on adsl now)

I think its this model
http://www.poyntingdirect.co.za/pLP...cellphones-and-routers-include-7-m-cable.aspx

You are welcome to give it a whirl for a few days and see if it works for you.
If you like it you can by it from me for a much reduced price.

Send me pm if your interested.

You have a sleeve that fits over the usb modem, this connects directly to the antenna, Its a high gain outdoor antenna so best to get 2 people one to watch the signal strentgh (with mdma app) and the other can walk around outside and see how the signal moves depending on the direction if you are not sure where the towers are.

They do work, it all depends on your location relative to the tower/s and the strength of the initial signal.

 

[Freshy-ZN]

Sneeky I am interested. I need a solution for a farm in Underberg so Im not convinced a directional antenna is the answer. The atmospheric conditions vary wildy from hour to hour in that area and if there is no line of site I dont see it working consistently well enough. Yours looks like a suitable solution. Ill make contact with you soon.

Thnx to everyone for the input.