Selecting a right antenna for your application can be
tricky. Most probably you know what frequency the antenna will operate at, but
what about the other antenna characteristics such as durability, gain, mounting, and waterproofing? So in this article, we'll take a look at the
things to consider when choosing a magnetic antenna for
4G and 3G applications:
1. Durability - by definition magnetic antennas are usually
deployed in mobile applications where knocks and scrapes are often unavoidable.
Consider a robust antenna that can take a bit of a beating! Even if you pay a
bit more for the antenna in the first place, a robust antenna will last a lot
longer than a lower-cost alternative.
2. Pull strength - selecting a magnetic antenna with a high pull
strength magnetic mount means that your antenna won't go missing when you hit the
motorway (freeway, autobahn, autostrada......). It also means that in fixed
applications the antenna is very unlikely to be de-mounted by wind or driving
rain making sure you stay connected.
3. Height - a low profile magnetic antenna is more discrete
and less visible than a long whip type antenna, by definition is more robust
and can be less prone to accidental damage or vandalism. You don't have to
compromise on performance when choosing a low profile magnetic antenna.
4. Gain - Having a reliable connection is often a function
of antenna performance and the gain characteristic of the antenna is a key
parameter. Higher gain magnetic mounts ~ 4 dBi gain in 4G and 3G applications -
generally tend to be priced a little higher than 2 dBi gain models, but the
difference in received signal strength can be significant, that is all too important if you
are on the fringe of the cellular network.
5. Environment - check that the antenna you select is the
correct one for the environment you are using it in. If you are using a magnetic antenna outdoors,
ensure that it is waterproof, ensure that the materials used are quality ones,
there is little point using a standard rubber magnetic antenna for an
application where the antenna is mounted outside and permanently exposed to the
elements.
Hopefully here I have offered you some pointers on what to
consider when looking at magnetic antennas. We have a wide range of 3G and 4G antennas, many are available to buy online at
Connex.
Our most popular magentic antenna, the
LTE-HIGAIN-MAG, is the one 3G/4G product on the market really does
address the outdoor, high gain, high pull strength magnetic antenna
applications. Our full range of antennas can be found at
www.ead-ltd.com and
www.specialistantennas.co.uk
