Best RBI antenna for rural 3G

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YourComputerGuy

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Topic # 242346 23-Oct-2018 14:17

Hello everybody,

I have a customer who is using Vodafone RBI connection. The nearest tower is about 5km away, transmitting on 900 Mhz. There is also another one about 10 km away, transmitting on both 700 and 900 Mhz. He has very marginal cellphone coverage that works in specific spots of his farm.

His connection was ok in winter, getting about 2.5 Mbps down and 1 up. With the trees having more leaves now, it deteriorated so it barely works most of the time. Speedtest shows about 1 Mbps down and 0.1 up, with pings increased from 80 to 300+.

The antenna he is using is this - https://www.gowifi.co.nz/700-directional/ant-100.html

Wondering if there are better options... Cellutronics website shows that 700 Mhz 4G coverage is better. We tried this antenna (

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/700-directional/ant-205.html) in winter and his speed was actually less than with the 3G only antenna.

Cellutronics also sells an exactly the same looking antenna here (https://www.cellutronics.co.nz/shop/directional-log-periodic-antenna-ay15) but they claim theirs is 15db. Has anyone tried it?

Rikkitic

Glurp
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Reply # 2112797 23-Oct-2018 14:44

I use this one. It used to be available from Gowifi but I don't see it any more. It looks similar to your second example.

I am on 4G RBI, about 20 km from the mast, not quite LOS. At different times in the past I have had a lot of trouble with speed and quality, but things have been much better for quite some time. A lot of my problems may have had to do with mast congestion. I now regularly get 30+ Mbps down, 40-60 ms pings, 5 or so Mbps up, almost never buffering and then only for very short periods.

What device is the customer using? I have a Huawei B315. There was a major firmware upgrade not too long ago which may or may not have made a difference. That may have also been tied to the mast. My knowledge about this is limited but there are some real experts here who can help you further. This is just my experience.

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wratterus

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Reply # 2112799 23-Oct-2018 14:47

https://www.gowifi.co.nz/700-directional/ant-205.html

Is generally pretty decent and is the most common one I've seen around. Did you try two of them?

YourComputerGuy

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Reply # 2112801 23-Oct-2018 14:54

Yes, we did. The cone antenna worked but because we couldn't really pick up 4G signal anyway, we tried the grid one and it was a bit faster. I know the upgrade is available now but can't even connect to his computer to do it due to his signal :( may have to do it on site and then try the cone antenna again.

Tempted to try the Cellutronics antenna but only if he agrees to pay for it.

wratterus

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Reply # 2112802 23-Oct-2018 14:57

Yeah that is not cheap and I've not seen it around before either.

@coffeebaron may be able to offer some more insight?

hio77

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Reply # 2112821 23-Oct-2018 16:28

If your on 3G, it's 900mhz not 700.

Vodafone have the power level reduced a fair bit on their 700 vs 900.

I've noticed the other providers be it 850 or 900 don't cut 700 nearly as early as VF.

if you can get 900 with a decent antenna you might be better to go 4G and force it (often network will prefer the higher signal from 900, but LTE will hold a connection and be faster)

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nakedmolerat

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Reply # 2112835 23-Oct-2018 18:08

@coffeebaron is the guy that install this stuff

SATTV

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Reply # 2112879 23-Oct-2018 19:53

You say the transmitter is only 5km and not great cellphone coverage, with this antenna https://www.gowifi.co.nz/700-directional/ant-100.html the signal should be romping in, I suspect that the aerial is either not in the correct location, polarity or there is an issue with the connectors or cable.

This antenna has only 18deg beam width so if your off by 9 degrees you signal is going to plummet.

Check and double check the direction, if you use a compass dont forget to account for magnetic variation.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

YourComputerGuy

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Reply # 2112883 23-Oct-2018 20:07

Forgot to mention, it's in a really hilly area

coffeebaron

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Reply # 2112885 23-Oct-2018 20:14

What area & can you post the signal stats from the RBI modem.

Chorus has spent $1.4 billion on making their xDSL broadband network faster. If your still stuck on ADSL or VDSL, why not spend from $150 on a master filter install to make sure you are getting the most out of your connection?
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