Antenna and signals ... revisited

[Brolloks]

I'd like to know who's using which antenna's (if any) and what type of signal you're getting on which tower. It's just to try and see if there's a correlation between different types of antenna's and the signal specifics ie. signal strength, S-N-L and ber.

I'll add mine as soon as I'm on wireless again in Jhb. ... using dialup since the tower in centurion is not ready yet.

 

[DFantom]

Well I have the flat grey thing (the guys from powerband called it a "patch")
I get about 22% to tower 82 with it.

--
DFantom
Sentech:Tower 82:22% Signal:512K Package

 

[sneaky]

Bit OT here but if somebody could please post a list of antenna distrubutors in the Johannesburg area URL's would be great only one I know of is Poynting, and I would trust The Rodent if he says the patch antenna is ****.

Poynting asking R868 for a mesh antenna with a 22Dbi gain, pigtail included, good or not?

________________________
Must think happy thoughts about the antenna!!!

 

[dbnnet]

Antennas are like "horses for courses" it will depend on
what your current signal condition is.
If you have a very weak signal, a Poynting grid antenna will probably
be a good option. Many users are very happy with that product!
For those who simply wish to improve the SNL or get a slightly
improved signal, there is nothing wrong with the 8dbi patch.
I currently use one myself and it gives me a better quality
signal than a Pringles or Tennis ball can.
(Only the very first batch made for Nowire were problematic
and this has been resolved – The early buyers can indeed
return them for a replacement (if they suspect it is faulty) I was told).

<font color="blue">Bay of Plenty: </font id="blue"><font size="1"><font color="black"> Signal 48% - SNL 17 - ber 71%
</font id="size1"></font id="black">

 

[Brolloks]

dbnnet - how does the ber relate to speed? is there a relation?

I get no signal without the patch antenna. I did modify mine though with a 5m LMR400 cable to be able to use the patch outside the house. Inside the house there is no signal, although sometimes it looks like it's trying to connect to a tower (only the green communication light stays on and one light on signal strength if I'm lucky.)

For some reason I have 3 towers within 5km radius, but I can only connect to the one far away ... will do some more checking later.

 

[Brolloks]

Ok .. Officially I have no signal according to the Zonelocactor, but then again I am typing this online via telepathy using my IPW modem.

Seup as follows: PPPoE
OS: Linux
Standard IPW modem with Grey Patch Antenna
incl. 5m extension LMR400 cable.
Signal: 15%
S-N-L: 8
ber: 42%
Tower: 12
-90dBm
-98dBm
8dBm


Can anyone explain the last 3 rows of dBm figures?
Readings taken with the MySignal software.

 

[dbnnet]

The ber rate should not effect your speed.
The real issue is one of packet loss, and that is why the SNL is so important.
This is my opinion (for what it's worth!):
1. If your signal is above 12% you should be OK with a stable signal.
2. A decent SNL - 10 or above.
3. Your -90 and -98 readings are so so... but ideally one would try to get to 90 or lower.
Hope this helps.
Would also suggest that you get someone to test with a Grid antenna first,
this to see how that is going to improve your situation.


<font color="blue">Bay of Plenty: </font id="blue"><font size="1"><font color="black"> Signal 49% - SNL 17 - ber 71%
</font id="size1"></font id="black">