Phone / modem extention aerial.

[Craig]

I am setting up the camper with an extention aerial and was wondering what people's thoughts were with regard to the standard fibreglass whip compared to a yagi. I currently have a fibreglass whip aerial fitted to the MH but was hoping the yagi may give me better distance. Am I incorrect in this thinking?

Craig

[jon_d]

A yagi is directional, so you will need to know where the tower is.

[Craig]

Thanks Jon, I understand it is directional. My question was will the yagi give me better distance?

[jon_d]

Yes, providing it's pointing at the antenna at the other end.

If it's on a lobe and not direct, you could be worse off.


How many times have you camped and 'just been' out of range?

[Craig]

Where the camper will be used around Georgetown I am just out of range. I have to drive about 2 kms to get signal. I do try to prospect close to the bigger mines in WA as they generally have their own telstra tower but here in Qld so far I haven't been that lucky.
Is the yagi better suited to flatter country or is it ok in the hills?

[T1 Terry]

On that now defunct forum I seem to remember someone who was acting as a camp minder in WA saying they could only get internet connection with a Yagi aerial, otherwise it was a few hundred km drive to the nearest signal. The fact you need to climb to the top of a hill says to me that it requires a straight line connection without hills in the way.

T1 Terry

[jon_d]

It's 3G or 4G.

3G freq's are 850 and 900 Mhz
4G ranges from 700, 900, 1800, 3500.

They basically need a line of sight.

A yagi might get you some more distance. Putting it on a post will make it even better.


Are there any hills between where you get reception and the camp? If not, it's probably just signal strength. (don't forget, both you and the tower might have problems). A yagi would help in this case.

Is your phone 3G?

[Craig]

The plan was to mount it on an extension handle like the extension wash broom type. Most of these outback areas are 3g and the phone I use is an older TU 500 and a samsung s5. The older tu500 has an antenna jack. The wife just bought the new telstra tough as it is a blue tick smartphone with the antenna jack. I will give it a go next time I'm out.
These are prospecting areas and can be hilly.