Does antennas work?

K

kab123

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I would like to buy an antenna for my iburst connection. I’m scrumming away from the big external antenna (omni) and would like to go for the ibust desktop antenna. I’m struggling to find information about this antenna as the description and user manuals are the same for both the antennas on the iburst website.

So first of all I’d like to know how this antenna improves the signal. I live on the edge of coverage and although my connection is good most of the time, I do get the odd loss of signal which is annoying.

And lastly, am I correct in assuming that you install this antenna indoors mounted to a wall?

Thanks!
 
kab123 said:
I would like to buy an antenna for my iburst connection. I’m scrumming away from the big external antenna (omni) and would like to go for the ibust desktop antenna. I’m struggling to find information about this antenna as the description and user manuals are the same for both the antennas on the iburst website.
Click to expand...

And on a slightly less impatient note... (yes, I get the irony of that coming from me). Sure, HGAs (high gain antennas) DO work but, like anything, it doesn't help to get a tool for a job and then not use it properly; or, for that matter, get the wrong tool for the job you need.

So first of all I’d like to know how this antenna improves the signal. I live on the edge of coverage and although my connection is good most of the time, I do get the odd loss of signal which is annoying.
Click to expand...
Go read that info on how HGAs work, ol' mike is quite right in advising that. But, IMO, going with any HGA other than one you put outside would be a waste of your time, money and effort: "edge of coverage" is not a place to be noodling about with half-arsed measures, you put a directional beastie up high with a clear view to yon tower! Bum an HGA and do some strength measurements with utTraceStar, it can be eye-opening.

And lastly, am I correct in assuming that you install this antenna indoors mounted to a wall?
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Bad assumption, short of the li'l lollipop stick you get with the UTU & UTC, HGAs go outdoors; to not do that would be akin to buying a torch and then covering the light with a piece of board.
 
If you do get an antenna don’t get an Omni, get a flat panel(Directional) instead.
Iburst also sells them.
 
IMO, the OMNI has its place in situations where signal is not TOO bad and you have several towers in your area. That way, if one tower has a problem you are not out of a connection. The directional antennas work well when your signal is really weak but remember that if that tower goes down, usually that means tickets for your connection.

Also by default the flat panel from IB comes with a 3m cable vs a 5m cable for the OMNI. You can make a plan there but it is a hassle.

For SERIOUSLY bad signal, we have had success putting modems in weatherproof boxes mounted high up and with a flat panel antenna on the front. If you don't get a signal with this, then you are definitely out of the coverage area!
 
I heard sticking a box of custard on top of your i-burst receiver does the trick :p think I saw a video as proof.

And as far as cellphones go lots of tin foil really does the trick (I tested this myself for signal :)) Although I don't know if it would work for I-Burst
 
Connection said:
IMO, the OMNI has its place in situations where signal is not TOO bad and you have several towers in your area. That way, if one tower has a problem you are not out of a connection. The directional antennas work well when your signal is really weak but remember that if that tower goes down, usually that means tickets for your connection.!
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I have to disagree with your statement; in my experience with installations this is possibly the worst advice. Should you have two or more towers that do not have a separation of signal strength greater than -15 dB it will cause "signal hopping" as the UTD’s are designed in this way for “handover” purposes. This has a very detrimental affect on your connection and throughput. The base stations seem to be fairly reliable and so far on average it seems they are back up within an hour.

Connection said:
Also by default the flat panel from IB comes with a 3m cable vs a 5m cable for the OMNI. You can make a plan there but it is a hassle.!
Click to expand...

With cables comes signal loss, therefore you would want to have the UTD as close as possible to the antenna (preferably Yagi type) with the minimal amount of connectors on the feed. Therefore it is best to place the UTD outside in a weatherproof PVC box with some silicon inside to prevent any moisture build up and run an ethernet and power cable to your PC. It is best to keep the transformer indoors at it generates quite a bit of heat when the UTD is in use. Also, there are several Planar’s that deliver better reception and are lower priced than those iBurst supplies.

Connection said:
For SERIOUSLY bad signal, we have had success putting modems in weatherproof boxes mounted high up and with a flat panel antenna on the front. If you don't get a signal with this, then you are definitely out of the coverage area!
Click to expand...

I would not advise the use of Planar’s as they have far less gain when compared to Yagi’s.


Have a look at some of Graeme's posts:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=60264
 
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