Best outdoor antenna for Spark Smart modem 2

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Best outdoor antenna for Spark Smart modem 2

Silvrav

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#302716 14-Dec-2022 11:29

Morning All

Recently moved to a rural area and decided to go with spark for now to test speeds before splashing out for faster internet. (starlink, cough cough)

So far the speeds and performance are relatively good with connection speeds of 90mbs, dropping and settling anywhere between 30 and 40, with a low of 10-15 during peak times.

This is all based on the unit only and thus I want to invest in an external antenna for the modem.

Where I am located, there is only 1 tower and it is about 5km away. I am therefore thinking directional antenna as there is no other tower for omnidirectional pro's.

That all said, any recommendations on good directional outdoor antenna's?

1 | 2 | 3

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#3009869 14-Dec-2022 11:34

@coffeebaron could probably advise better, but a pair of these or these are pretty cost effective & should work well, or this is a little tidier. You'll also need some of these a suitable length.

coffeebaron

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#3009875 14-Dec-2022 11:55

I usually use this: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/gowirelessnzltd/ant-228.html

I also use the following for weak signal areas or 5G ready:

2x https://powertec.co.nz/buy/blackhawk-lpda-antenna-12dbi/

1x https://powertec.co.nz/buy/blackhawk-mimo-stainless-mounting-bracket-for-dual-lpdas/

Or if you want to go full extreme + 5G ready:

2x https://powertec.co.nz/buy/blackhawk-4g-5g-ultraband-pro-grid-antenna-600-to-6500-mhz/

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Silvrav

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#3009934 14-Dec-2022 13:18

coffeebaron:

I usually use this: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/gowirelessnzltd/ant-228.html

I also use the following for weak signal areas or 5G ready:

2x https://powertec.co.nz/buy/blackhawk-lpda-antenna-12dbi/

1x https://powertec.co.nz/buy/blackhawk-mimo-stainless-mounting-bracket-for-dual-lpdas/

Or if you want to go full extreme + 5G ready:

2x https://powertec.co.nz/buy/blackhawk-4g-5g-ultraband-pro-grid-antenna-600-to-6500-mhz/

Thanks! Any reason for having 2 of each?

Trying to keep cost low at the moment to verify results.

wratterus

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#3009940 14-Dec-2022 13:25

Because MIMO. If you are already getting 90Mbps peak, you'll definitely want two to see improvement.

Edit - that's extremely over-simplified, but at a basic level, think of the difference between a 1x1 & 2x2 wireless card. You can get up to double the speed with the 2x2. Now you're not going to do that here, because of your internal antenna working, but I would expect for a meaningful improvement you'd want to do this properly.

Silvrav

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#3009981 14-Dec-2022 15:37

wratterus:

Because MIMO. If you are already getting 90Mbps peak, you'll definitely want two to see improvement.

Edit - that's extremely over-simplified, but at a basic level, think of the difference between a 1x1 & 2x2 wireless card. You can get up to double the speed with the 2x2. Now you're not going to do that here, because of your internal antenna working, but I would expect for a meaningful improvement you'd want to do this properly.

boom, and there you taught me something new! Just spend an hour reading up on MIMO so thank you! The question now is I see you do get all in-one unit with 2 antennae 😆

wratterus

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#3009984 14-Dec-2022 15:41

Yes - the 'dual pol' antenna from Go WiFi that myself & coffeebaron both linked to does both in the one unit. Much tidier looking install & easier, at the cost of slightly lower gain.

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Silvrav

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#3009990 14-Dec-2022 16:22

wratterus:

Yes - the 'dual pol' antenna from Go WiFi that myself & coffeebaron both linked to does both in the one unit. Much tidier looking install & easier, at the cost of slightly lower gain.

Great thank you. How is this one? I see its currently on special - https://www.gowifi.co.nz/antennas/aplm4-h1.html

wratterus

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#3009992 14-Dec-2022 16:27

Not quite the right thing. The version from that brand that is the 'right thing' is out of stock, but is about the same cost as the one previously linked to anyway, which IMO is a better option.

Silvrav

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#3009993 14-Dec-2022 16:29

wratterus:

Not quite the right thing. The version from that brand that is the 'right thing' is out of stock, but is about the same cost as the one previously linked to anyway, which IMO is a better option.

awesome thank you! Think I will give your linked one a go. What is too long for the CMA cable run?

I am planning to try and mount the modem either in the ceiling (if it doesnt get to hot) or ceiling mount it to get it as close to the antenna as possible. Then from there run a cat6 to a switch somewhere local in the house

wratterus

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#3009995 14-Dec-2022 16:32

Coffeebaron would know better, but I think up to around 15m is generally fine. Go WiFi have pre-made lengths. I'd advise against having the modem in the ceiling due to how hot it would get, unless you have a good way to cool it. They run hot enough as it is.