Antenna DIY without outside help
Luf,
Forget about call center agents, RSSi etc. This may be a bit long winded, but it take no longer that 20 - 30 minutes. NF = NeoFlex
Follow the procedure below. I did this a while ago, and no problems so far.
1) Install antenna on pole (I used my TV antenna pole, but lowered the TV antenna a bit, with NF antenna at the top (about 30cm from the top, with TV antenna about midway between top and bottom). I had to do this, a I am nowhere near any coverage area(6 kms from nearest tower, and in a big hole). In total my NF Antenna is about 14m of ground.
2) Switch on NF indoors and set up everything, then do speedtest. I got 120/60 kb/s on ground floor. Repeat on 1 st floor, if available. I got 240/100 kb/s. So height is important.
3) Install Antenna on outside pole, in any direction, but don't tighten the bolts 100% yet. Don't run the antenna cable through roof to study etc. yet.
4) Attach cable to antenna.
5) Make sure NeoFlex is fully charged. Remove the right hand side flexible antenna thingy. You will see it is marked RX/TX.
6) Get a pencil and take it and NF with you on the roof.
7) Connect other side of antenna cable (should be about 10m long, if from Poynting)
8) Switch on NF.
9) Have a look at the signal strength LED indicator. It should be red, unless you already hit the sweet spot already.
10) Now slowly rotate the antenna. Note the direction (make mark with pencil on pole) when LED changes from red to orange or even green, if you are lucky to have good signal (why would you then need this antenna then?).
11) Rotate further, until the signal goes from orange to red again. Note this position with pencil on pole.
12) You should go a full 360 deg, to make sure you don't have another signal from another tower. If so, mark the two extremities of that signal on your pole also.
13) Now rotate the antenna to MIDWAY between the two extremity marks you have made on the mast.
14) Tighten bolts.
15) Switch of NF. Remove cable from NF and run cable through roof to inside.
16) Get of roof. This is probably the most dangerous thing of this procedure!
17) Go inside and connect cable to NF, and PC to NF (wired or wireless).
18) Do speedtest again. Mine went to 500/500 kb/s. (weird, that I'm getting a symetrical speed, but i'm not complaining)
19) If you found an alternate signal, get back up on the roof and rotate antenna to previously marked spots.
20) Repeat speedtest again to see if it is better, If not, return the antenna to original position and tighten.
21) Take zipties or ducktape and tighten all cables nicely, will you, the last time you go up. Take sidecutter with you?
22) Lastly, repeat this procedure, every 3 - 6 month or so, as NT may have switched on new towers closer to you, until such time that you don't need an antenna anymore. (You will get a green signal strength). If you see men in Orange destroying your paving in the area, or find a note in you post box, be patient, speak to neighbours, or drive around and follow to where they are laying the fibers to.
23) You can switch the NF device over to USB, install the drivers & cable to PC, and check RSSI, etc
Other Notes. If you speedtest results start dropping, don't panic. It just means more and more people are using NF/NC etc in your area, and are poaching your signal. Hopefully this means NT will install a tower closer to you that the one your currently on.
I hope this helps.
