The Helium network offering low power coverage across the world is rapidly growing in popularity. Across the world, as Helium miners are being deployed, people are looking at outdoor omni-directional antennas to optimise coverage from each miner installed.
This brief comment is going to focus on build quality.
There are quite a few outdoor antennas on the market, but selecting one with build quality good enough to be permanently installed outdoors without falling apart is critical.
Many low (and very low) cost antennas are available from online market places. Ignoring poor RF performance for now, many of these low cost antennas suffer from poor build quality or inferior materials and are unlikely to survive one average winter outdoors.
Our suggestion is to look for European-manufactured Helium outdoor antennas that tend to focus on quality materials and not solely on price. One particular area to focus on is the sheath or tube as poor materials weather and crack very rapidly leading to unit failure. A proven, durable option is an antenna with a fibreglass tube which will withstand many winter’s deployment without suffering weather or UV-degradation.
Also check the brackets/clamps that come with antenna. Are they fit for purpose? Is the antenna secure enough when mounted?
There is nothing worse than having to replace the antenna you took the trouble to install three months ago due poor survivability of the materials.
Just in case you’re interested, here is a link where you can purchase quality fibreglass tube 868 MHz antennas.
Three new antenna products worth checking out from Laird, Smarteq and Sirio respectively. QAD is pleased to introduce another set of innovative, best-of-breed antenna products.
Firstly, the Trigger antenna from Laird is a MIMO LTE, GNSS and WiFI covert antenna. Designed for “under-the-dash” applications, it offers a very unique form factor which lends itself well to stealth installations.
Secondly, the MiniBlade from Smarteq is a compact dual band, WiFi blade antenna.Tape-mounted, omni-directional and ultra-wideband from 2.4 GHz to 6 GHz, this innovative antenna is ideal for indoor WiFi coverage, internet onboard buses and Wifi zones.
Last but not least, the SMP-5G from Sirio is a 5G directional panel antenna intentioned for continuous outdoor use with robust gain figures and a durable radome to withstand the elements.
These antennas are new stable-mates to our excellent, wide portfolio of quality antenna products from world-class antenna manufacturers covering frequencies from 150 Mhz to 6 GHz. For more information, pricing and availability on the above new antennas, please contact us.
RF400 offers LMR400 alternative for very low loss cable runs to complement 4G and 5G router installations. It is quality 50 Ohm coaxial cable manufactured in Europe and directly comparable to LMR400.
For custom cable runs beyond 10m, RF400 is a cost-effective and high performing cable solution. Here at EAD, we measure and the cut the RF400 cable to your desired length and terminate with your choice of connector. We typically terminate with N-Type, SMA, TNC, RP-SMA, RP-TNC or BNC.
For finished RF400 custom cables, we offer competitive pricing and rapid turnaround from point of order. Ideally suited to complement high gain outdoor antennas, either directional or omni-directional, using RF400 enables you to install the antenna further away from the router.
RF400 is not only used for 4G / 5G installations. RF400 offers LMR400 alternative for LoRa at 868 MHz or 915 MHz, for GNSS or UHF applications.
For specific requirements, please contact us. Alternatively, you can order selected RF400 cables online here.
Please note we do not supply bulk cable, only finished and terminated custom cable assemblies.
For smaller diameter cables, check out RF195 or RF240.
The MiniBlade wideband compact WiFi blade antenna from Smarteq is a new release covering 2.4 GHz to 6 GHz. It is an adhesive mounted omni-directional ultra-wideband antenna. Ideal for applications such as indoor WiFi coverage, internet onboard buses and Wifi zones, it can be easily installed on on glass or other non-conductive surface.
With compact dimensions of 55.6 x 23.6 x 6.6mm, the MiniBlade offers gain ranging from 3.8 dBi at 2400 MHz to 7 dBi in the 5 GHz band. It’s flexible and slim construction makes mounting straightforward, even on curved surfaces.
For more information and pricing on the MiniBlade Wideband compact antenna and other Smarteq products, please contact us.
Check out other Smarteq antennas like the AllDisc and the SmartDisc.
The 5G AllDisc High Performance low profile antenna is in stock. Manufactured by Smarteq, this antenna is best in class for its gain vs. size raito. Measuring 138mm in diameter and 55mm in height, the AllDisc offers peak gain, when mounted on a groundplan, from 3.5 dbi to 7 dBi.
This antenna covers 4G, 5G as well as 2G and 3G frequencies from 690 MHz to 3800 MHz. It is ideal for applications where a permanently mounted antenna is required. It is especially suited to kioks, outdoor enclosures, wireless CCTV and security delpoments. If you are looking for a low profile antenna with optimal gain, then look no further. When mounted correctly, the IP rating of the antenna is IP6K9K class.
The standard model we are stocking has a 2.5M RG316 cable and SMA-Male connector.
For quoations on the 5G AllDisc High Performance low profile antenna, please contact us. Small quantities can be ordered via the Connex webshop.
For a smaller 4G antenna, check out the SmartDisc.
A Compact 5G outdoor omni 4 port MIMO antenna has been introduced by EAD. The LPO6938-4P antenna offers an innovative solution for 5G/4G access where a discreet, but high performing antenna is required.
Populated with four wideband 698-3800 MHz antenna elements, the antenna is housed in our popular LPO radome and is mounted on a very durable 316 Stainless Steel bracket for pole- or wall-mounting. Fed by 4 SMA pigtail cables, the antenna can be combined with RF195, RF240 and RF400 low loss cable assemblies according to the requirements of the installation.
Ideal for bonded applications, broadband access requiring multiple antenna ports and high bandwidth applications, the LPO6938-4P packs a punch despite its compact measurements. This 5G compact outdoor omni reduces the requirements for antennas enabling 4 port routers to use one antenna instead of two 2 port antennas.
For pricing and availability on the LPO6938-4P antenna, please contact us.
For a dual polarised MIMO Omni covering 698-3800 MHz, check out our LMO6138 antenna which is also available from our webshop.
EAD’s popular LMO 4G/5G MIMO antennas are now available from Unitronic, our distribution partner for these antennas in Germany.
The LMO product line from EAD encompasses the LMO7270 antenna, the LMO6138 antenna – the 4G/5G version, a LMO7270/G with an integrated active GNSS antenna and the LMO4547 antenna for LTE450 applications.
The LMO 4G/5G MIMO antennas are ideal for 4G / 5G access applications, wireless CCTV and security, bonded 4G deployments, lesiure marine and fixed or mobile broadband services. With a variety of mounting options including pole, wall and 1″ 14 marine mounts, the LMO antennas are robust, compact and offer consistent RF performance.
Unitronic can be found at www.unitronic.de, telephone +49 (0)211 95 11-0 and via e-mail info@unitronic.de.
EAD’s popular LMO7270 MIMO antennas are now available from Reweb, our distribution partner for these antennas in Italy.
The LMO product line from EAD encompasses the LMO7270 antenna, the LMO6138 antenna – the 4G/5G version, a LMO7270/G with an integrated active GNSS antenna and the LMO4547 antenna for LTE450 applications.
The LMO antennas are ideal for 4G / 5G access applications, wireless CCTV and security, bonded 4G deployments, lesiure marine and fixed or mobile broadband services. With a variety of mounting options including pole, wall and 1″ 14 marine mounts, the LMO antennas are robust, compact and offer consistent RF performance.
Reweb is based in Reggio Emilia in Italy. Phone: +39 0522 171 2600. Contact: Massimiliano Cavandol m.cavandoli@reweb.it
More information in Italian can be found here.
The LMO6138 Marine MIMO omni is a compact and robust dual polarized antenna 4G/LTE and 5G applications. It is based on our popular LMO antenna platform. Supplied with a marine mount adapter instead of the wall/pole mount bracket, it mates to common 1″-14 marine mounts.
It operates at frequencies from 617 to 3800 MHz covering 4G/LTE & 5G frequencies. Fed by two short SMA-Male cables, the LMO6138 Marine MIMO antenna can be combined with low loss RF195, RF240 and RF400 cables to fit the application.
Ideal for leisure marine, waterways and other marine-based applications using 4G and 5G routers, modems and access terminals where 1″-14 marinemounts are used, the LMO6138 is aesthetically discreet and compact and its white radome blends in with white marine furniture.
For more information on the LMO6138 please visit the product page.
LTE 450 antenna solutions are available from EAD. Based on our portfolio of innovative designs, antennas can be supplied for LTE 410 or LTE 450 networks.
Offering both MIMO and SISO antenna solutions, EAD has a range of omni-directional antennas to complete LTE 450 and LTE 410 deployments.
The LMO4547 antenna is a wall-mount, pole-mount or non-metal surface mount, dual polarized MIMO omni-antenna. With one vertically polarized element and one horizontally polarized element, the LMO4547 is compact and designed for permanent outdoor deployment. It can be deployed for fixed site access, mobile applications or off-shore marine environments.
The WCO-450-MIMO-WMB is a compact MIMO, durable and robust 450-470 MHz outdoor omni antenna. Based on our proven WCO (waterproof compact omni) platform, this antenna can be wall-mounted and is ideal for commercial and industrial applications requiring LTE 450 access. This antenna can easily be re-tuned for 410-430 MHz making it ideal for LTE 410 applications too.
The WCO-450-WMB is a wall-mount 450-470 MHz SISO antenna designed for continuous outdoor deployment. The UV-resistant LURAN sheath is mounted onto N-Female connector barrel which is attached to a stainless steel L-bracket.
All 3 antennas are terminated directly in a connector or a short pigtail so can be easily deployed with jumper cables such as RF195 or RF240.
For a mobile applications where a non-permanently mount antenna is required, the LP-MAG-450 is robust solution. Once again based on our proven WCO platform, the WCO antenna is married with a rugged magnetic mount thereby offering a durable installation for public service, industrial and commercial vehicles and systems.
For terminal mount the WCO 410 and 450 MHz antennas can be fitted with TNC Male / TNC-Female / N-Male and N-Female connectors to to provide terminal mount or through-hole mount antennas for fixed and mobile terminals and enclosures.
For more information and pricing on our LTE 450 antennas and LTE 410 antennas, please contact us.