Antenna to fix Weak mobile signal - for an Auckland Smart Power Meter

Forums › New Zealand Mobile and Wireless › Antenna to fix Weak mobile signal - for an Auckland Smart Power Meter

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pdh

338 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3303463 31-Oct-2024 00:12

Hmmm... my Samsung Note 10+ shows (under SIM card Status - using no app) a 4G dbm of -100 to -104.
But, of course, that's using a decent cell-phone antenna - outside of the SB metal box.
Tomorrow I'll see if my provider will cough up my meter's band info.

This poor cell signal has not worried us much - it was problematic with our previous phones; but now both our phones are happy with WiFi calling (and, obviously, data).
Pity that the Meter can't be rigged to run over WiFi...

snj

185 posts

Master Geek

#3303479 31-Oct-2024 00:29

Just a note, I think the old 2G/3G meters mostly used Vodafone (now One) for data. Pretty sure Vector AMI uses Spark for 4G, but I'm not sure who Metrix uses (maybe also Spark?? - the guy that replaced our meter never even said hello, so didn't get a chance to ask). I say this because unless you happen to be on the same mobile network, coverage may vary.

snj

185 posts

Master Geek

#3303668 31-Oct-2024 11:31

Turns out Intellihub (new name for Metrix) do use Spark for 4G (source: https://www.spark.co.nz/online/large-business-govt/why-choose-spark/customer-stories/intellihub), so make sure your tests are with Spark's coverage.

coffeebaron

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#3303682 31-Oct-2024 11:55

Most mobile data modules with external antenna options typically use SMA Female socket, so in theory an authorised person could run cable:

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/go-wireless-nz/p-39.html

Up to an external antenna such as:

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/go-wireless-nz/ant-252.html

And point to the applicable Spark tower.

But without seeing the module in use, this cannot be confirmed.

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Valok

38 posts

Geek

#3303695 31-Oct-2024 13:21

You need to talk to someone in their connections (or similar) team. They will not know the answers re meters but the correct person can query with the meter owner and will need to push for answers.

tripper1000

1617 posts

Uber Geek

#3303792 31-Oct-2024 15:46

Regarding the signal strength theory, my smart meter has a signal strength screen when you cycle through the displays using the select button. If you can find this, it will help confirm 1) that it is a signal strength issue and 2) the effectiveness of any improvements you try, in real time.

If opening the door solves the problem, then it could be as simple as making the door allow more signal in, such is adding additional windows, enlarging the windows, or making a new door out of perspex/plastic etc.

There are inductive pickups for the "two" antenna solution. These were used in car-kits for old school cell phones in the early days. Basically it it a coil of wire that you place as close as possible to the devices build in antenna, that is connected via coax to a decent external antenna.

Bung

6477 posts

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#3303836 31-Oct-2024 17:54

When they replaced my neighbour's modem the tech installed an aerial outside the meter box even though the existing modem appeared to work. The aerial was enclosed in a black plastic tube about 300mm long. Other meters close by have had modems changed and existing external aerials used.

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tweake

2391 posts

Uber Geek

#3303841 31-Oct-2024 18:06

pdh:

@Tweake
>>other option... is to use a dual aerial setup.

Sounds interesting - could you point me to more info on the theory or an example of this ?

no idea these days. it used to be a thing back when i was more rural. i actually had a cell phone that could plug an external aerial into. the company also sold the dual aerial kits as well. you needed to have decent signal say on the roof.

snj

185 posts

Master Geek

#3303842 31-Oct-2024 18:11

Bung:

When they replaced my neighbour's modem the tech installed an aerial outside the meter box even though the existing modem appeared to work. The aerial was enclosed in a black plastic tube about 300mm long. Other meters close by have had modems changed and existing external aerials used.

Yeah it seems they're trying new antenna designs/etc with the 4G rollout? The thread got me curious about the installation they did here (I had inside the box photos but forgot to ever take any of the 'antenna' Intellihub (Metrix) installed).

They'd put a Landis+Gyr E350 meter in, but hadn't noticed that the 'antenna' seemed to be attached to the top instead of the bottom like the past. Turns out it's actually a combined external modem/antenna and looks like below. Did some digging on the FCC numbers, and it's a Aetheros Inc ESRM (SKU2 if looking at the links) with a Telit ME910C1-P1 LTE modem (https://fcc.report/FCC-ID/2AWD3ESRM/4769419 shows how it connects into the meter, which is all sealed off). Reckon it'd be far more reliable than the previous type of antennas they used to use, also looks like it supports most of the main LTE bands for NZ.

KiwiSurfer

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#3303874 31-Oct-2024 21:08

I have a new build with the electrical connection being done late last year via Mercury's new connections team. Interestingly, even though I live in an South Auckland urban area with excellent reception from all 3 carriers (Spark 4G included) I still got an antenna installed. Not sure if they've simply decided that all new builds will get an antenna just to reduce the risk of signal issues. This thread makes me curious as to who/how/etc the decision is made whether to install an antenna or not -- it is strange I had one installed without me asking despite excellent reception, and OP has issues and raised these issues with their retailer but still no antenna installed.

TAKid

24 posts

Geek

#3304063 1-Nov-2024 11:25

snj:

Bung:

When they replaced my neighbour's modem the tech installed an aerial outside the meter box even though the existing modem appeared to work. The aerial was enclosed in a black plastic tube about 300mm long. Other meters close by have had modems changed and existing external aerials used.

Yeah it seems they're trying new antenna designs/etc with the 4G rollout? The thread got me curious about the installation they did here (I had inside the box photos but forgot to ever take any of the 'antenna' Intellihub (Metrix) installed).

They'd put a Landis+Gyr E350 meter in, but hadn't noticed that the 'antenna' seemed to be attached to the top instead of the bottom like the past. Turns out it's actually a combined external modem/antenna and looks like below. Did some digging on the FCC numbers, and it's a Aetheros Inc ESRM (SKU2 if looking at the links) with a Telit ME910C1-P1 LTE modem (https://fcc.report/FCC-ID/2AWD3ESRM/4769419 shows how it connects into the meter, which is all sealed off). Reckon it'd be far more reliable than the previous type of antennas they used to use, also looks like it supports most of the main LTE bands for NZ.

Our antenna is the same as this and sits on top of the meter box. Just to clarify my recent comment, we get hourly readings for the previous days, not as they are generated.

CYaBro

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#3304065 1-Nov-2024 11:45

We had a smart metre installed a few months ago and they put one of these on top of our metre box.
We have almost no signal from any provider here and rely on wifi calling but it seems to be working with that bigger external antenna OK.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

timmmay

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#3304139 1-Nov-2024 15:42

My smart meter is inside a metal meter box, mounted inside. It has an antenna, which the smart meter installer must have installed as I haven't touched it. From memory (I didn't get my ladder out) the cord is long enough to put the antenna outside the meter box, but it turned out not to be necessary. The comms module in the meter was upgraded recently, from 2G/3G to 4G, I assume the antenna is still connected.

KiwiSurfer

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#3304229 1-Nov-2024 22:00

Yep I have that same antenna, also mounted within the electric metal box.

pdh

338 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3310797 20-Nov-2024 00:36

OK - an update on my original problem.

Today Wells sent a nice (and very experienced) guy to upgrade my 2/3G Metrix meter .
(Problem was periodic failure in sending data.)

We discovered that it'd been using a flat antenna (like Timmmay's in #3304139).
It was mounted horizontally, stuck to the flat base of the meter.
This was only obvious once he'd uninstalled it.

My man stated that this might have worked better - had it been mounted vertically, as designed.
I have no knowledge of the rightness of that...

So he installed a brand new meter with a 4G (Spark) modem - as per his work-order from Meridian.
It's an EDMI Atlas Mk7C.
Unfortunately it registered a zero on signal strength - even with its big stick antenna (like CyABro's in 3304065).

Our cellphones & the Well's chap's cellphone were all Vodafone - so we had no way to assess the Spark 4G signal level.
For reference, at 1m from the meter, the Voda 4G signal is good enough for voice calls.

My neighbour popped his head in and said his smart meter had been improved a few years ago and was now trouble-free.
Apparently it also has a small antenna - but this suggested to my Wells chap that it might be the 'other' type of new meter - which bypasses the cell system and uses a mesh network on a dedicated frequency. He carries both on the van - but must install what he's told to on each site.

He suggested that he would frame his notes (on the lack of success of today's install) to prompt Meridian to look into their maps of nearby properties (and the hardware installed therein) - as it seemed like I might do better with one of the 'other' meters.

If a mesh exists, I'm about 30m away - with only a lemon tree and two driveways between us.

So I live in hope that the 'head office' will decide to try again...

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