Recommendation for an external pole mounted MIMO cell antenna for plugging directly into a Verizon Jetpack?

[John E Davies]

Please, I need some education and suggestions. I already have a pole and mount, .... https://polesandholders.com/PNH-22-Deluxe-**NEW**-and-MOST-Popular-Flag-Pole-p206298627 .... and am hoping to find a lightweight OMNIdirectional antenna that I can plug directly into the Jetpack via a bulkhead through-fitting in the back of the hull and then through a short extension, to the rear center table. 

Something like this... Wilson Electronics 4G Omni Plus Building Antenna 700-2700 MHz, 75 Ohm (304423)

I need to know if that would be suitable, if I can extend the cable, and how far, and what kind of through hull fitting to use. I am next to clueless about this. “Mouse” has the factory installed WeBoost amplifier, it works but pretty marginally.... Here is my pole and mount. ... 

https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/3371-flag-pole-and-mount/

I could mount the antenna at the top and still fly wind art below it. Would the pole’s flexing be a problem for the cellular signal stability? I could keep it only half way extended if needed when it is really breezy.

Thanks for any suggestions and guidance.

John Davies

Spokane WA

Edited January 16, 2021 by John E Davies

[Overland]

That’s the one I was looking at when I was thinking about doing the same. Or the squarish version of it I think. I believe we had a thread about this a few years ago discussing options for both antennas and masts 🤔.

I ran into a campground host at Glacier who had an antenna setup, and said that it did the job. 

Edited January 16, 2021 by Overland

[AndrewK]

John, here is link to the Internet Resource Center's YouTube video, on a simple antenna you can just put in your window. 

If I needed an MIMO antenna, I would try this first. 

Netgear MIMO 6000450 Antenna for JetPacks & MiFis - Affordable Cellular Signal Enhancing - YouTube

Keeping is simple!

Andrew

[Frank C]

I’m considering the same setup for an external cellular antenna on a mast.  Found this one on Amazon that has a U-clamp setup to attach to a round pole.  I haven’t figured out the thru-hull connection yet though.  It comes with a 5 meter long cable so that should be plenty long enough. 

High Gain 10-12dBi External SMA Male/Dual TS9 3G 4G LTE Bracket Mount Signal Booster Antenna for Netgear Nighthawk M1 MR1100 Verizon Jetpack 8800L Mobile Hotpots Router MiFi Mobile Hotspot Router https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088FBV6HF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_2z3aGb6DGB749?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Edited January 17, 2021 by FrankC

[BackofBeyond]

1 hour ago, John E Davies said:

Please, I need some education and suggestions. I already have a pole and mount, .... https://polesandholders.com/PNH-22-Deluxe-**NEW**-and-MOST-Popular-Flag-Pole-p206298627 .... and am hoping to find a lightweight OMNIdirectional antenna that I can plug directly into the Jetpack via a bulkhead through-fitting in the back of the hull and then through a short extension, to the rear center table. 

Something like this... Wilson Electronics 4G Omni Plus Building Antenna 700-2700 MHz, 75 Ohm (304423)

I need to know if that would be suitable, if I can extend the cable, and how far, and what kind of through hull fitting to use. I am next to clueless about this. “Mouse” has the factory installed WeBoost amplifier, it works but pretty marginally.... Here is my pole and mount. ... 

https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/3371-flag-pole-and-mount/

I could mount the antenna at the top and still fly wind art below it. Would the pole’s flexing be a problem for the cellular signal stability? I could keep it only half way extended if needed when it is really breezy.

Thanks for any suggestions and guidance.

John Davies

Spokane WA

Really like the pic - for what the antenna costs - try it out - not satisfied - send it back.

RB

[Jairon]

52 minutes ago, AndrewK said:

If I needed an MIMO antenna, I would try this first.

I agree with Andrew. If you can't get a signal with the Netgear antenna, you'd probably need a directional antenna to pole mount. It gets clunky (wind, signal search, gain/loss, additional coax, etc) so I'd opt for the Netgear solution whenever possible.

 

If you do opt for a directional, here is some info about the setup. 

 

Edited January 17, 2021 by Jairon

[SeaDawg]

If you're not camping in an area with a lot of gnats or mosquitoes,  you could just run the wire through the sliding screen and window to try it out. 

[mossemi]

On 1/16/2021 at 4:59 PM, John E Davies said:

I could mount the antenna at the top and still fly wind art below it. Would the pole’s flexing be a problem for the cellular signal stability? I could keep it only half way extended if needed when it is really breezy.

I would suggest that you never fly wind art or a flag of any kind while having an antenna deployed on your mast.  The antenna itself will create enough deflection in the mast to affect the cellular performance.  MiMo technology would certainly help, but why add to your problem with a moving antenna.  And if you are in a cellular signal challenged area, you may not have the benefit of the latest cellular base station equipment suppling your signal.

Mossey

Edited January 18, 2021 by mossemi

[JRK]

A moving mast will not work well with a directional antenna. Think of a flashlight - the radio signal is focused. The width of the radio beam depends upon the design of the antenna.

An omnidirectional antenna is less problematic on a moving mast, and will probably work fine. The radio wave pattern is dependent upon the installation and antenna design, also. An omnidirectional antenna sends the signal out in a 360 degree pattern, or at least that's the theory, but again dependent upon installation factors. The radio signal won't be as "intense" as with a directional antenna, but with a directional antenna you need to know where the cell tower/weefee antenna is located. If you know that, then the window mount mimo directional antenna might be adequate. 

Still, it depends upon so much more, such as is the physical terrain open, trees, campsite in a valley, boondocking, in a park with a known internet connection and cell tower, etc. I play ham radio, at the frequency ranges of weefee and cell phone at times. I regularly put up 20' antenna masts for a few hours. I use both directional and omnidirectional antennas, depending upon what i want to do. Even directional antennas have a variety of radio wave pattern, which controls the effective gain of the antenna.

[Galway Girl]

I think this thread from the Mobile Internet resource center may lead you to some ideas: