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Introduction
We at E-mobile provide you as best, a solution as possible with all the testing, (former & continued) customer data and research we have compiled for some time now.
Many times selecting the right mobile antenna for many people is a bit of a guessing game. There are so many variables that, it's difficult to determine what is going to work best in all of the locations you live, work and travel. Geographical layout, atmospheric conditions, obstructions and operating frequencies are just a few things that need be considered when choosing the right
mobile antenna for the job.
Sadly, many people have allowed the type of mobile antenna they "like" to be the deciding factor on what they should purchase and not the "terrain" of the desired application. This includes hidden, portable, magnetic-mount on your car, glass mount, pole mount etc. The lack of conclusive information or knowledgeable advice on the part of many "cell phone dealers" today, have not made things any easier for the customer who needs to maintain a sure link of communication on a daily basis.
Many have tried several options before finding something that works for them while others are in locations that nothing will help. We have provided this information to help you understand a bit more why getting the "right tool for the job" is so necessary.
Many times just selecting an mobile antenna that is convenient for the way you plan to use it (hidden, portable, magmount on your car, glass mount, pole mount etc.) works just fine. Most customers use the few tips we have here and select an antenna that works for them on the first try. A few customers have tried several options before finding something that works for them while others are in locations that nothing will help. We have provided this information to help you make an educated guess on what type of
mobile antenna might work for you.
1. What does Omni directional mean?
It means that the mobile antenna will receive signals from all possible directions for the mobile phone to work at its best. The original mobile phone stub antenna is nothing but an Omni antenna. (Followed by Image with Phone & Internal Stub Antenna)
2. What is dB gain?
Gain is defined as the compressing of the vertical component of the
mobile antenna pattern, in effect causing the radiation pattern of the antenna to reach out further toward the horizon. It is not the creation of power, but rather a simple refocusing of energy from all directions to a specific direction. Gain is measured in decibels (dB). Vertical antennas are in fact quite directional, except in the horizontal or azimuth plane.
3. What is the difference between dBd & dBi?
Gain can be expressed in many different ways. The two most common are dBd and dBi. Gain expressed, as dBd is a measure referenced to a half wave dipole. The dBi measure is referenced to a theoretical, dimensionless point source with a completely spherical radiation pattern. Since it has no directivity, any real antenna without excessive loss will provide some amount of gain when compared to the isotropic. E-MOBILE antennas are all rated in dBd measurements.
4. What's the difference between 0db (unity), 3db, 6db gain?
0-dBd gain mobile antenna radiates more energy higher in the vertical plane to reach radio communication sites that are located in higher places. Therefore they are more useful in mountainous and metropolitan areas with tall buildings. A 3-dBd gain antenna is the compromise in suburban and general settings. A 5-dBd gain
mobile antenna radiates more energy toward the horizon compared to the 0 and 3 dBd
mobile antennas to reach radio communication sites that are further apart and less obstructed. Therefore they are best used in deserts, plains, flatlands, and open farm areas.
5. My Mobile phone shows 1 or 2 bars but I still can't make a call. Why?
Although the phone shows some signal, it isn't strong enough to make a connection due to congestion in the network.
6. I can sometimes make a call but at other times I cannot connect at all. What do you recommend?
You might just need a little help. Try a Omni Power Mobile
Antenna. Search for your phone's make and model (using the menu on the left) to see if one of these kits is available for your phone.
7. I live in a rural area and have to travel a Km. or two from home to be able to make a call on my phone, will an
mobile antenna help?
An antenna might help. If you're in an area with large hills or mountains, it's most likely nothing will help. But if the terrain is flatter, we would recommend a
Omni Power Antenna or a Yagi
antenna. The 6db is easier much easier to set up than the Yagi and most people get great results with one. Analog phone and service is your best bet in rural until more digital towers are installed. A Yagi antenna is your best bet in rural areas alongwith a very high pipe or a tower taking full advantage of height.
8. I used to be able to make calls with my old phone from home but now I can't make any with my new phone.
An Yagi Antenna will help, If your old phone was a GSM phone with a Stub Antenna and a External Antenna Adapter you have the advantage of an Antenna Adapter which would physically connect to your mobile phone without any signal losses. However, with the new trendy phones, most of which have internal antennas and no sockets for external antenna the only way out to connect an External Antenna is by using a Plastic Adapter which is not so efficient as compared to the older connector. Here the signal transmitted from the external antenna to the mobile phone is indirect and therefore only 80 to 90% efficiency is achieved.
9. I want something portable that will improve my signal strength and I can use in my home or office.
Try the Omni Power Antenna with the 2.5 metre cable.
10. I want a mobile antenna that I can hide. What do you recommend?
In reality there are sticker Mobile Antennas available in the market costing from 50 to Rs. 500/- and improving the signal from 0 to 3% only, which is negligible as compared to our Omni Power Antenna giving 80 to 100% increase in signal strength. Our company believes in delivering real quality and performance and therefore we only deal in Omni & Yagi Antennas.
11. How do I connect an external cell phone antenna to my phone?
You can connect most phones to an cell phone external antenna by using an installable hands free kit that comes with an external antenna adapter. You can also purchase an external antenna adapter that allows you to connect the antenna directly to your phone. Some phones have an external
cell phone antenna port. Other phones require that you remove your fixed antenna and insert an
cell phone external antenna adapter to that port. Still other phones have no way to connect an external
cell phone antenna to it at all.
12. Can I improve my signal without connecting an external cell
phone antenna to my phone?
Not to our knowledge.
13. Reception is poor inside my home or office. Can I use an antenna made to mounted on a car?
Yes, most cellular and digital mobile antennas are manufactured for use on cars and trucks. The car or truck acts a ground plane for the antenna. To get the most from your
mobile antenna, you should supply a ground surface if using the antenna away from the vehicle. Many of our customers have had good success using these car
antenna inside their home without a ground plane but we recommend providing a ground plane such as putting the antenna on top of a piece of metal (about 8 inches x 8 inches would be fine) and placing outside or near a window.
14. I'm in a basement with no windows. What are my options?
Some of our customers have seen increases in signal strength by just connecting an
mobile antenna to their phones and placing the antenna as high as possible. We would recommend getting it as close to the outside as possible without adding to the cable length.
15. I need an antenna with a 100 foot cable?
Adding to the cable length will greatly reduce the signal getting to your phone. As a general guide, you'll lose about .1db gain for each additional foot of cable with analog networks and .15db gain in digital. You'll also lose about .1db gain for each additional connector you use. You will compulsorily have to use the 15db High Gain Yagi antenna.
16. How does a glass mount antenna attach to the glass?
One portion of the mobile antenna is glued to the outside of the glass and another is glued right behind it on the inside of the glass. The signal is transferred through the glass.
17. Since the glass mount antenna has to transfer the signal through the glass, does that mean it is not as powerful as the magnetic mount antenna?
No, the glass mobile antennas are rated passing the signal through the glass.
18. I have window tint on my rear window. Will this interfere with the antenna?
If metal is used to tint the glass, it will interfere. Many professional installers will cut off a piece of the tint so that it does not interfere with the
antenna booster cell phone.
19. Drill a hole… Not on my vehicle! What options do you have?
"On-Glass" mobile antennas are easy to install and do not diminish a vehicle's value by drilling a hole. Care must be taken during installation to ensure that the antenna
booster cell phone is mounted high up on the glass and not over defogger wires or on reflective window tint and this could impede performance.
"Rear-Dash" is also another option, however performance losses will occur. "Magnetic-mount" This step-up, allows the easy placement and removal of your antenna
booster cell phone on the rooftop of your vehicle. Very useful for multiple vehicle applications.
20. Where should I place my antenna?
In applying all the information provided for the maximum benefit of the radiating pattering of your
mobile phone antenna it would be wise to position the whip as vertically and as high as possible.
If the mobile phone antenna is tilted, some of the signal will be wasted because it will be directed up to the sky or into the ground.
If the mobile phone antenna is much lower than the vehicle's roof, the signal will be blocked and the radiating pattern will be distorted.
21. Can I use a Vehicle Magnetic Mount Mobile Phone antenna anywhere else?
Yes, most magnetic mount cellular antennas are manufactured for use on vehicles, as the roof of the vehicle acts a ground plane for the
mobile phone antenna. However to get the most from your magnetic mount antenna, you should place it on a metal ground surface when using the antenna away from the vehicle. These antennas work great indoors once a sufficient ground plane is provided, such as placing the antenna on a filing cabinet or on a piece of metal (about 8 inches x 8 inches) and placing it outside or near a window. |
