Sweet spot |
180' out |
next hill over |
Update: I purchased high gain yagi and grid antennas from ZDA. After testing them, I did not see much if any, difference between them. But I could use some opinions as to where to place the antenna...or any other advice. I plan to connect the antenna to a Jetpack 4620L with a Cradlepoint MBR95 router set up in WiFi as WAN mode to feed my desktop computers.
Best readings with antenna 4' off ground - RSSI SINR:
Next to house: -92, 16
100' from house in a sweet spot: -78, 28
10-20' from sweet spot: -91, 16
180' from house, other side of tree line: -74, 30
Next hill over: -76, 30
My main concerns with the 100' sweet spot are that it will get a much poorer signal once the trees have leaves next spring, and that the sweet spot is a small area. Also note the electrical lines that may cause some interference...I don't know for sure, but about 32' up on top of the chimney with antenna pointed in the same direction the signal was -85, 16.
1st pic: view from sweet spot
2nd pic: view from 180' but will cut limbs and small trees to get a clear LOS
3rd pic: view from next hill over.
I am considering putting the antenna 180' out. Mainly because it will be on the other side of the trees and the signal there is as good as I can get in this area. The small area of the sweet spot 100' out concerns me as well. Would an amplifier help the signal loss due to the cable length? Thoughts?