450 MHz Low Profile Magnetic Mount Antenna

A new robust magnetic mount antenna is now available. Suitable for 450 MHz  LTE applications, the 450-LP-MAG is based on the TRAB4503 rugged UHF low profile antenna from Laird Technologies. Coupled with a chrome high-pull strength magnetic base, the antenna offers consistent RF performance married with a rugged mechanical design. It is ideal for fixed and mobile applications where drilling a hole in a vehicle roof or metal enclosure is undesirable.

450-MP-Mag Antenna

Offering 3 dBi gain across the 450-470 MHz band, this antenna has 4M RG58 cable and a SMA-Male as standard.

For more information, visit our Specialist Antenna Solutions website or buy online at www.connextech.co.uk.

L-Mag 4G/LTE Mini Magnetic antenna now available to buy online

The new EAD L-Mag 4G/LTE Multiband mini magnetic antenna is now available to buy online at the Connex Webshop via the this link.

This innovative new magnetic antenna for 4G and LTE frequency bands is designed for fixed and mobile applications and comes with 3M RG174 and SMA-Male connector as standard.

EAD L-Mag antenna

The EAD product page for the L-Mag can be found here.

EAD introduces 700-2700 MHz compact magnetic mount antenna

EAD is pleased to announce the introduction and initial availability of the L-Mag antenna. The L-Mag is a 700-2700 MHz 4G/LTE, multiband, mini magnetic antenna designed for fixed and mobile applications.

L-Mag mini magnetic antenna

Measuring just 110mm in overall length and 30mm at its base, the L-Mag is a compact solution for deployments requiring global 4G, LTE and multiband capability. Available as standard with 3M RG174 cable length and SMA-Male connector.

Please contact EAD or your local EAD distributor for more information.

New 4G MIMO, GPS and dual-band WiFi magnetic mount antenna

The GPSHPDLTEMIMO-SF-MM from PCTEL is a 4G/LTE Multiband MIMO + GPS + Dual-Band WiFi heavy-duty magnetic mount antenna designed for professional telematics applications.

GPSHPDLTEMIMO magnetic mount antenna

Housed in an IP67 compliant radome, the GPSHPDLTEMIMO magnetic antenna is ideal for temporary vehicle, fleet and transit applications where 4G diversity combined with GPS positioning and WiFi connectivity is required. With high pull strength magnets in the base of the antenna, the GPSHPDLTEMIMO antenna is designed for applications where the antenna must be able to be mounted and "de-mounted" without damage to the vehicle.

For availability and pricing, please contact Specialist Antennas.

4G on the move - a simple guide for optimal reception!

Everybody knows that the 4G networks can bring huge advantages in terms of download speed over and above 3G and 2G networks, but users of 4G networks are just as likely to experience network coverage issues with varying levels of reception and signal strength depending on where they are. So what do we need to consider to ensure we get optimal reception when out and about or when we do not have access to fixed line infrastructure?

Typically, when using 2G and 3G networks, external antennas have been used to deliver increases in signal
strength to wireless devices in fringe areas of coverage. Active repeaters, amplifiers and boosters have licensing issues in quite a number of countries meaning that it can be illegal to use them without network operator consent notwithstanding the cost of the repeater, antennas, accessories etc. Using a passive (and this doesn't necessarily exclude high gain) antenna connected to the router, modem, donge or access point can provide tangible improvements in signal strength, but, depending on the type of antenna deployed, can come at a cost, so let's review the options.

There are a wide number of choices for mobile antennas depending on how or where you locate the antenna - antennas can be window-mounted via adhesive or suction cup, terminal-mounted i.e. fitting the antenna directly onto the router, modem or dongle, alternatively they can be magnetic-mounted on for example a vehicle roof. Two other slightly more permanent ways of mounting mobile antennas can be rail-mounting i.e. on a rail of a boat or screw/stud mounting where the antenna is mounted by way of an integrated stud through a hole in a flat surface (vehicle roof, product enclosure, narrowboat deck etc.).

The performance of such antennas can vary greatly. In most cases size does matter and as a rule of thumb the larger the antenna, the better performance (higher gain) that is on offer. Some antenna solutions such as magnetic antennas can be quite small, but pack quite a punch in terms of performance because they use the metal surface they mount on in order to radiate optimally (do a web search for the LTE-HIGAIN-MAG mag antenna as an example of a high gain, but smallish 4G magnetic antenna). But generally speaking, if you are deploying a very small antenna it is highly likely you will be compromising performance. Obviously though, when you are out and about the last thing you want to do is be lugging round a huge base station antenna on your back, but on the other hand you don't want to use something that is going to make little difference to your signal strength!

When using 4G services, many devices are now MIMO i.e. they have two antenna ports to maximise performance, therefore it might be prudent to consider using a 4G MIMO antennas. It must be noted, however, that most 4G MIMO antennas are not that small or portable so this may prove to be a disadvantage of this technology. The WA700_2700 window-mounted MIMO antenna from Pulse is one exception to the rule and can be suction cup mounted to a vehicle window.

Moving the signal is also an important concept. In a lot of cases it doesn't make sense to locate the 3G/4G antenna right next to the router/modem/dongle. Depending on your location, it might make sense to locate the antenna outside your vehicle, caravan, boat, narrowboat, yacht, cruiser etc and run low loss cable to the device - this means that the antenna picks up the optimal signal and whilst you may suffer a couple of dB signal loss across the cable, the net effect at the device is that the signal is stronger than if the antenna were located at the device. An example in a narrowboat is that a high gain magnetic antenna is located above deck on a metal surface (roof) where the signal is stronger and the router/modem/dongle is located below deck near the user. The much stronger signal above deck is then moved below (minus a couple of dB loss across the cable) to device meaning a net improvement in received signal strength, stability of signal and more often than not improved download speeds.

Another consideration is to locate the antenna and router/modem/dongle in an area of good signal and then use WiFi  (or even Ethernet cable) to distribute the internet access to other areas. Thereby the 4G reception is optimal and users elsewhere in the vehicle/on the boat/in the caravan use WiFI to connect.

It is also wise to check (if possible) what frequency your 4G is operating at - across Europe 4G services are being offered at a variety of frequencies including 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz - so it is vital to make sure that the antenna you select does indeed support the 4G frequency you are using. For example, some 4G antennas do not operate at 800 MHz which means that in some locations you will not pick up 4G reception at all.

For further advice on your mobile 4G antenna selection, please feel free to visit our websites for a full portfolio of antenna products and RF accessories.

Popular LTE-HIGAIN antenna now offered with integrated mounting stud.

A new low profile, permanent mount LTE/4G Multiband antenna is now in stock. The LTE-HIGAIN-STUD antenna is rugged and robust through-hole mount omni antenna that is mounted via a N-Female connector. Similar to the market-leading LTE-HIGAIN-MAG antennas, this antenna is based on the same radiating technology, but an integrated stud is an alternative to a magnetic mount.

This antenna should be mounted on a metal surface such as a vehicle or narrowboat roof and does require a jumper cable terminated in N-Male to mate with the antenna.

LTE-HIGAIN-STUD Antenna

The performance specs are as follows:

Frequency Range:  700-2700 MHz
Impedance     50 Ohms
Antenna Gain (Peak)
            698-960MHz: 3.5dBi
            1575.42MHz: 5.1dBi
            1710-1990MHz: 5.5dBi
            2100-2700MHz: 4.6dBi

This antenna is manufactured by Laird Technologies under part number:  TRA6927M3PW.

This antenna can be purchased online at www.connextech.co.uk 

Broadband internet access on the move - how to stay connected with the right antenna...

High speed internet access on the move is becoming ever more a necessity as people wish to stay connected to family and friends, conduct business as well as needing to access information about local services. In mobile leisure applications, internet  access is increasingly important to the owners of boats, narrowboats and caravans, but due to the transient nature of the application having fixed line access or fixed wireless access is not appropriate, so owners have to turn to wireless services

There are a number of methods of wireless access, but 3G and 4G services are increasingly popular due to ever higher download speeds on offer. With a new generation of routers or personal hotspots, users can use 3G or 4G wireless to access the network and use WIFI capabilities to distribute the internet to devices on the boat or in the caravan. However, when parked or moored up in more remote areas or in weak signal areas, embedded antennas or simple "rubber duck" type antennas as supplied with the router or modem hardware might not be enough to establish a reliable 4G network connection. Therefore it makes sense to use a high quality 3G/4G antenna to connect to the network.

There are a variety of 3G/4G antenna options from mobile to magnetic, from permanent mount small or low profile antennas to high gain antennas for wall or pole mount. Which antenna to choose and how to use them can be daunting for the uninitiated! I'll try to help with a few pointers.....

Firstly, you need to understand your router, modem or dongle device. Many will have one or two antenna connectors, and you will need to establish what type of connector this is. Common connectors include SMA, TS9 and CRC9, but there are many others. If your device has two antenna connectors, it is handy to know if the device has diversity or MIMO (multiple in multiple out) options - in simple terms sometimes using two antenna ports with 2 antennas (or a single MIMO antenna - it should have 2 antenna cables and connectors) will improve the download speed.

Once you have established your antenna connector, it is time to figure out your antenna mounting options.

Mobile antennas - Typically there are two ways to use a mobile antenna - either laptop-mount or window mount. For laptop mount, there is typically a plastic hook supplied with the antenna that can slide over the lid of the laptop and the mobile antenna can be mounted onto the hook.  Alternatively the antenna can be window-mounted with suction cups and then the antenna cable(s) can be routed back to the modem or router. See the WA_700_2700 as a good example of 4G 3G 2G (supports all bands) mobile MIMO antenna for laptop or window mount.

Magnetic antennas - There are usually two options for magnetic mount antennas. Low cost rubber style magnetic antennas like the Pentamag antenna (3G and GSM only) or full-on rugged, robust low profile antennas such as the LTE-HIGAIN-MAG (4G with fall back to 3G and 2G). Typically they have one cable and connector to connect up to the antenna port on the modem or router and are mounted outside the vehicle, boat or portacabin and mounted onto metal surface. So with the magnetic antenna’s gain and new location you are able to pick up a signal and through the cable route this down to the modem or router - for example, in a narrowboat the router is inside without signal and the magnetic antenna is outside picking up a 4G signal. A magnetic antenna is perfect when you do not want a permanent antenna installation (i.e wall-mount or stud-mount  i.e. drilling a hole through the skin of vehicle or boat) and would like to move the antenna around or remove it to avoid damage or vandalism. Bear in mind magnetic antennas are ideally mounted onto a conductive metal surface as they need the metal surface in order to radiate properly.

High gain antennas for Wall or Pole mount - there are number of high gain outdoor antenna options open to 4G users - high gain omni-directional (they radiate in every direction pretty much equally) antennas or high gain directional (work in one direction only similar to traditional house mounted TV antennas). High gain antennas can be wall or pole mounted, some can be both. What they offer is higher performance in terms of receiving the signal and then they pass this signal along a low loss cable to the modem or router. A fine example of a high gain omni antenna for wall or pole mount is the FGO antenna. This offers up to 5 dBi gain for 4G, 3G and 2G frequencies. A directional antenna will offer more gain than an omni, but is a bit more restrictive as you have to point it at the local 4G mast, but you will benefit from an increased gain of perhaps 9 dBi or 10 dBi - an example of this is the LPP7270 pole-mount antenna. In mobile applications, wall-mount antennas are not ideal, but it is possible to fabricate a temporary bracket on which mount a wall-mount antenna if pole-mounting a high gain antenna is not suitable.

Now we have understood the mounting options, there are always other considerations, some of these are:

Long cables = higher signal loss - unless you are using very thick low loss cable then as a rule of thumb, the longer the coaxial cable, the more signal loss (or attenuation) you are likely to get reducing the usable signal strength received at the modem or router and thereby impacting your download speed. In an ideal world, cable lengths should be no longer than really necessary.

Nearby objects - If possible try to mount your antenna away from large objects or obstructions and most importantly from any protruding metal surfaces (the metal surface on magnetic antennas are mounted excepted of course). Obstructions and metal objects close to the radiating element of the antenna can impact the propagation properties of the antenna and adversely affect antenna performance and in turn hinder download speeds.

Elevation - in many cases the higher up the antenna is mounted the better chances of signal reception - so do bear this mind when window-mounting or choosing a metal surface for the magnetic antenna. Needless to say, the better signal you get the better download speed is possible.

Antenna and Cable Quality – remember not all antennas are made equal and this can have an impact on your download speeds. Spurious claims about antenna gain are prevalent in the market so it is advisable to make sure that antenna you are purchasing is from a reputable manufacturer and vendor. Likewise choosing a quality cable such as BWL195 or BWL400 from a quality cable manufacturer should ensure that cable losses are minimised.

For a portfolio of 4G antennas, please visit our websites at EAD, SAS and Connex. A selection of these antennas can be purchased directly from our webshop at the Connex site.

5 things to consider when choosing a 4G magnetic antenna

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