Beth, there is two radio signals involved in your device. There is the Wi-Fi signals used to operate other other lap-tops through the modem ("Supports up to 5 users / wi-fi enabled devices") There also is the Next-G radio signals that are used to connect you to the Telstra Next-G mobile radio network and from there out to the WWW.
Are you really wanting better signals so your neighbours can enjoy your internet connection. I think perhaps you are looking for a better connection to the WWW. The search terms you should be using are something like "mobile telephone antenna" or " next-g antenna."
Here is the style of antenna I use - http://www.mobileextras.com.au/ProductDetails/tabid/65/CategoryID/113/ProductID/356/Default.aspx - I think DSE may be getting out of selling the antenna (I have seen shops without them.) Jaycar or any shop selling CB equipment usually have them. You will also need a patch cable to plug into your modem to connect to the antenna cable. You may be able to get them from a Telstra shop or a mobile phone accessory store.
edit - looks like JC and I were typing together.
-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 7th of September 2012 02:39:46 PM
Beth54 said
04:36 PM Sep 7, 2012
Thanks Jim. Yes, apparently there is an external antenna available. I was just confused when I googled. There was so many weird and wonderful antennas!
Thanks Peter. You were right...I don't really want to 'share' my internet. Thanks to your suggestion of wording for the search box, I came across a thread from April - computer while travelling - which has been most helpful.
-- Edited by Beth54 on Saturday 8th of September 2012 11:12:29 AM
-- Edited by Beth54 on Saturday 8th of September 2012 11:13:23 AM
Beth54 said
07:06 PM Sep 7, 2012
I know there was a thread on this subject, but I'm obviously using the wrong wording in the search box, as I can't find it.
While out west this week, I found my Telstra Elite Wi Fi
may have done better with an antenna on the roof of the van. The van came with a pole and TV antenna so I wondered if I could also attach an antenna for the WiFi to this pole. (I'm currently not using a TV in the van, but I may in future.)
I've googled and found all kinds of home made antennas, but do they really work?
Beth54 said
08:41 PM Sep 7, 2012
PeterD wrote:
Froggy wrote:Multi band aerials are never a good option and not a good investment. Sadly only people void of technical knowledge would buy or even worse recommend an aerial of this type.
Well Froggy you made a real goose of yourself there. You start your reply by making a big wrap up on a multiband antenna. You then you denigrate an antenna that is nearly identical manufactured by an alternative supplier and call into question my technical Knowledge. How long is it going to take you to scrub the egg off your face.
Well said Peter. I did see your qualifications at the bottom of your comment.
-- Edited by Beth54 on Friday 7th of September 2012 08:41:40 PM
justcruisin01 said
09:35 PM Sep 7, 2012
Beth54 wrote:
I know there was a thread on this subject, but I'm obviously using the wrong wording in the search box, as I can't find it.
While out west this week, I found my Telstra Elite Wi Fi
may have done better with an antenna on the roof of the van. The van came with a pole and TV antenna so I wondered if I could also attach an antenna for the WiFi to this pole. (I'm currently not using a TV in the van, but I may in future.)
I've googled and found all kinds of home made antennas, but do they really work?
Providing your modem has the provision to receive the ant cable then its a good improvement to have an external ant fitted. A normal phone ant is what we use, just need the patch leads to connect to either the phone or the modem. The modem needs a small plugin facility the same as your phone has.
JC.
Froggy said
12:04 AM Sep 8, 2012
http://www.zcg.com.au/data_link_nextg_gsm_band_antennas.htm depending on where you want to mount the aerial, these are the NextG aerials technically correct for NextG 850Mhz. These aerials are available in various base mounts. The AN1600 is a NextG aerial with marine fold down base which is ideal for maximum performance in rural areas to mount on your caravan. The ZCG AN1600 is the aerial of choice and most popular among travellers.
The aerial mentioned http://www.mobileextras.com.au/ProductDetails/tabid/65/CategoryID/113/ProductID/356/Default.aspx will not perform well being a multi band aerials. Multi band aerials are notorious for been poor performers in the frequency band you want for NextG. Multi band aerials are never a good option and not a good investment. Sadly only people void of technical knowledge would buy or even worse recommend an aerial of this type.
The external aerial patch lead you need is a TS9 plug for the MF60 ZTE. Many will sell you a patch lead with a CRC9 plug which does not fit correctly and will fail and prevent you from getting maximum performance.
PeterD said
03:28 AM Sep 8, 2012
Froggy wrote:Multi band aerials are never a good option and not a good investment. Sadly only people void of technical knowledge would buy or even worse recommend an aerial of this type.
Well Froggy you made a real goose of yourself there. You start your reply by making a big wrap up on a multiband antenna. You then you denigrate an antenna that is nearly identical manufactured by an alternative supplier and call into question my technical Knowledge. How long is it going to take you to scrub the egg off your face.
Now to all the others watching this thread. Multi band antennas are not necessarily poor performers. Both of these antennas are manufactured by reputable companies with good engineering backup. I know RFI do test their antennas on an antenna range, you can thus trust their claims.
For the technical details:
RFI
Ideal for all new 3G networks with true multi-band coverage
6.5dBi gain across 824-960MHz suiting fringe and rural applications
Min. 3dBi gain at 2100MHz to suit metropolitan applications today and future proofing for network expansions
ZCG Scalar
Gain 6.2 dBi at 825 to 960 MHz 3 dBi at 1710 to 2190 MHz
I can recommend both antennas. They are fairly similar, both specifications were copied and pasted from their respective web sites.
Webmaster said
05:19 AM Sep 8, 2012
Hi all, Interesting discussion here. However, just a reminder to keep posts limited to the issues rather than straying into personal digs. We pride ourselves as being a friendly and positive place to be and hope everyone will treat each other with respect and courtesy. Thanks.
Froggy said
03:46 PM Sep 8, 2012
The turkeys are out in force gobbling and grovelling in the dirt to try and score points to demonstrate their technical ineptness.
No wonder so many in the RV industry buy equipment 2 or 3 times before they get the correct equipment. Sadly the technically bereft take poor and not the optimal advice from the techically ignorant and then wonder why when they get to a NextG low signal area others have reception and they don't. A multi band aerial is never a good choice against a dedicated frequency aerial. For maximum performance in low signal areas the only choice is a dedicated frequency aerial. Travelling in areas that are low in signal strength I see travellers all the time with these multi band aerials and then they wonder why they cannot get reception. No need to tell you the rest of the technical story and confuse you with facts as your tainted minds are made up.
Happywanderer said
05:40 PM Sep 8, 2012
Wow, that didn't take long.
Brenda and Alan said
06:01 PM Sep 8, 2012
Froggy must have got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning!
Beth54 said
06:20 PM Sep 8, 2012
As I'm one of the 'technically bereft', I was after a simple reply, which I found in 'computer while travelling'.
Someone needs to go to the naughty corner or back to the swamp maybe.
Beth, there is two radio signals involved in your device. There is the Wi-Fi signals used to operate other other lap-tops through the modem ("Supports up to 5 users / wi-fi enabled devices") There also is the Next-G radio signals that are used to connect you to the Telstra Next-G mobile radio network and from there out to the WWW.
Are you really wanting better signals so your neighbours can enjoy your internet connection. I think perhaps you are looking for a better connection to the WWW. The search terms you should be using are something like "mobile telephone antenna" or " next-g antenna."
Here is the style of antenna I use - http://www.mobileextras.com.au/ProductDetails/tabid/65/CategoryID/113/ProductID/356/Default.aspx - I think DSE may be getting out of selling the antenna (I have seen shops without them.) Jaycar or any shop selling CB equipment usually have them. You will also need a patch cable to plug into your modem to connect to the antenna cable. You may be able to get them from a Telstra shop or a mobile phone accessory store.
edit - looks like JC and I were typing together.
-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 7th of September 2012 02:39:46 PM
Thanks Jim. Yes, apparently there is an external antenna available. I was just confused when I googled. There was so many weird and wonderful antennas!
Thanks Peter. You were right...I don't really want to 'share' my internet. Thanks to your suggestion of wording for the search box, I came across a thread from April - computer while travelling - which has been most helpful.
-- Edited by Beth54 on Saturday 8th of September 2012 11:12:29 AM
-- Edited by Beth54 on Saturday 8th of September 2012 11:13:23 AM
I know there was a thread on this subject, but I'm obviously using the wrong wording in the search box, as I can't find it.
While out west this week, I found my Telstra Elite Wi Fi
https://www.telstra.com.au/online-shop/mobile-broadband-product.cfm?flow=prepaid&device=telstra-elite-wifi&ti=TR:TR:Sep12:elitepricedrop:prepaidbroadband:banner
may have done better with an antenna on the roof of the van. The van came with a pole and TV antenna so I wondered if I could also attach an antenna for the WiFi to this pole. (I'm currently not using a TV in the van, but I may in future.)
I've googled and found all kinds of home made antennas, but do they really work?
-- Edited by Beth54 on Friday 7th of September 2012 08:41:40 PM
Providing your modem has the provision to receive the ant cable then its a good improvement to have an external ant fitted. A normal phone ant is what we use, just need the patch leads to connect to either the phone or the modem. The modem needs a small plugin facility the same as your phone has.
JC.
http://www.zcg.com.au/data_link_nextg_gsm_band_antennas.htm depending on where you want to mount the aerial, these are the NextG aerials technically correct for NextG 850Mhz. These aerials are available in various base mounts. The AN1600 is a NextG aerial with marine fold down base which is ideal for maximum performance in rural areas to mount on your caravan. The ZCG AN1600 is the aerial of choice and most popular among travellers.
The aerial mentioned http://www.mobileextras.com.au/ProductDetails/tabid/65/CategoryID/113/ProductID/356/Default.aspx will not perform well being a multi band aerials. Multi band aerials are notorious for been poor performers in the frequency band you want for NextG. Multi band aerials are never a good option and not a good investment. Sadly only people void of technical knowledge would buy or even worse recommend an aerial of this type.
The external aerial patch lead you need is a TS9 plug for the MF60 ZTE. Many will sell you a patch lead with a CRC9 plug which does not fit correctly and will fail and prevent you from getting maximum performance.
Well Froggy you made a real goose of yourself there. You start your reply by making a big wrap up on a multiband antenna. You then you denigrate an antenna that is nearly identical manufactured by an alternative supplier and call into question my technical Knowledge. How long is it going to take you to scrub the egg off your face.
Now to all the others watching this thread. Multi band antennas are not necessarily poor performers. Both of these antennas are manufactured by reputable companies with good engineering backup. I know RFI do test their antennas on an antenna range, you can thus trust their claims.
For the technical details:
RFI
ZCG Scalar
Gain 6.2 dBi at 825 to 960 MHz
3 dBi at 1710 to 2190 MHz
I can recommend both antennas. They are fairly similar, both specifications were copied and pasted from their respective web sites.
Hi all,
Interesting discussion here. However, just a reminder to keep posts limited to the issues rather than straying into personal digs. We pride ourselves as being a friendly and positive place to be and hope everyone will treat each other with respect and courtesy. Thanks.
The turkeys are out in force gobbling and grovelling in the dirt to try and score points to demonstrate their technical ineptness.
No wonder so many in the RV industry buy equipment 2 or 3 times before they get the correct equipment. Sadly the technically bereft take poor and not the optimal advice from the techically ignorant and then wonder why when they get to a NextG low signal area others have reception and they don't. A multi band aerial is never a good choice against a dedicated frequency aerial. For maximum performance in low signal areas the only choice is a dedicated frequency aerial. Travelling in areas that are low in signal strength I see travellers all the time with these multi band aerials and then they wonder why they cannot get reception. No need to tell you the rest of the technical story and confuse you with facts as your tainted minds are made up.
As I'm one of the 'technically bereft', I was after a simple reply, which I found in 'computer while travelling'.
Someone needs to go to the naughty corner or back to the swamp maybe.
I'm happy for you to close this thread Cindy.