How do I add a directional antenna? |
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Posted: 29 Oct, 2008
by: Dohn R.
Updated: 30 Oct, 2008
by: Dohn R.
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At RV2internet we get a lot of inquiries about how to add range to an iAntenna using a directional antenna.
A customer (Charlie Pickett, 401-639-0120 ) was kind enough to take photos of his build-up. Enjoy the photos and comments below.
"I started working on this a couple of years ago at an air show in FL (Sun n Fun), The best parking spots were too far away from the wifi so I mounted a directional flat antenna on a pole and aimed it at the location. It worked OK but got knocked over in the wind a few times or moved or had to relocate because another motor home would come in the path. That is when I started think about a top mount. First, I was going to buy a new TV antenna and mount the beam on it but it would mean another hole and "there would be no roof support for it" the RV manufacture said so, I started thinking of using the one that was there and this is what I have been using.
The link in FL is almost a mile away and never a clean shot but I got at least 3 and 4 lights on the LinkGauge and never a lost signal I can most always find a wifi signal every where I go, even in places that I cannot see what I am picking up. At my home I have a friend 1/3 mi in the woods across the street and I can pick him up with no problem.
Here are some photos:
Purchased yagi type directional antenna and made PVC pipe mounts for it.

Mounted to top of TV antenna using PVC epoxy


I used a low loss cable about 6' long to iAntenna dome. Radio Labs is where I got all my antenna and cable. I found them to be very helpful on the phone when ordering the cable which they made to length and the ends to mach your input and the iAntenna's output. My next one will have a 90 degree connector on your input end as I have had it get hit with branches (see photo) http://www.radiolabs.com
Finished I remounted the TV antenna and now I can aim it from inside the motor home. I find that about 1/8 turn is a good search mode.
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