Using Directional Cellular Antennas: Pros & Cons, Aiming and Tips

Released initially exclusively for MIA Members and now available to the public. !
For mobile RVers, directional antennas are not likely to be the default choice. In this video we overview the pros & cons of directional vs omni-directional antennas - and share some tips for aiming, testing and using antennas in your overall setup.
For more on selecting cellular antennas:
www.mobileinternetinfo.com/cel...
--------------------------------
The Mobile Internet Resource Center is dedicated to helping mobile travelers (RVers, cruisers, nomads, etc.) keep connected!
Join us over at: www.mobileinternetinfo.com
We are primarily funded by our premium members, who allow us to make this our focus! Interested in helping keep us funded to continue creating content like this and more? Consider becoming a member at: www.mobileinternetinfo.com/mem...
Our members get a bunch of extra access to our Q&A forums, in-depth guides, product reviews, insider tips and webinars.

[@servingme09]

Thanks for the helpful information, I also am in the process of setting up a dirctional antenna at a remote location.

[@rja12]

Loving your videos. The information is proving to be invaluable. Thank you so much.

[@cornelbuckley]

Very informative, and a well done video. Both of you are a super team!

[@vothry]

Your channel and info really helped me get setup as a telehealth counselor now on the road. Thanks!

[@DnSAdventures]

Lol love it, literally in the process of showing my own install, but you all go into much more depth. :) I'll be sure to include this as more info in the blog post I'm writing as well. Thanks for sharing all the helpful info guys! - Shane

[@jerryhack5192]

Thank you! This channel is the best most reliable source of information I have found🤙

[@jcf6597]

Excellent video. Thanks for posting.

[@TheMeatballSwede]

Wow, you have some huge RV's over there. Thanks for the video!

[@MatteusClement]

this is an old video but still really relevant and good for info today in 2023

[@DANIEL-ls5ku]

14:42 This part is probably what would influence our decision on what we should get, thank you for sharing your experience 👍

[@IFLAMES300]

Thanks for the information really helped me out thanks!

[@user-dj5ni9he6r]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@jimanddiana4103]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@RomelTVGuide]

Good morning my friend, thanks for this info

[@markthornton3007]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@loumenger5472]

This is very helpful.

[@E3CB]

Cool channel! Subscribed! :)

[@KauaiMike1000]

On-board communications, entertainment, helpful apps, & security - - - so many systems & devices now available to 'the common man' to smooth out nomadic living. It is overwhelming however, so your breaking it down to digestible segments helps us tremendously. Thank you!

[@mmarielle07]

can you connect multiple antennas together ? is there a benefit, or a loss ?

[@slimbeaux]

As always great information. Couple of questions though. Do you use the Ookla app or try to go to their website. How much speed do you need just to surf the net? Stream videos? Again thanks for your time and appreciate the invaluable information.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We actually just published a new guide to that: www.rvmobileinternet.com/resources/testing-understanding-your-mobile-internet-speeds/

[@slimbeaux]

Perfect. Answers all my questions plus the Benchmarks part gave me some good numbers to look out for. And now I will be able to do some more in depth research. Again, thank you. #Grateful. Slimbeaux.

[@glutenfreebear976]

I have two Yagi's coming with the coax/adapters to plug into my MiFi in Mimo. From your video, it looks like you're using them passively without a booster, that is my hope as well. Has that worked well?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

In this spot, we were actually comparing two different wideband directionals with boosters. Using two for MIMO is possible.. but not something we usually find we need. But for a stationary remote location, might be worth the effort.

[@kenknutson4684]

great video! I have a 7730L and I bought the little MIMO antenna and it works better than my Wilson RVX booster! So then I thought maybe that I could do a MIMO upgrade if I did two of the Yagi directional antennas? But I couldn't get it to work well if at all? And the connectors to the 7730 are a pain to keep in the holes. But where I'm at Verizon is not good and little MIMO antenna helps but at times the signal will go out. That's why I thought maybe the two Yagis together would be better. One isn't even as good as the little MIMO...almost but not quite. It's a difference of -104 (Yagi) vs -102 (MIMO). Is there a way to put two of the Yagis together to make a MIMO?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Yes, two individual antennas can be used for MIMO. It's more generally a setup for stationary use (so we really don't focus on it) - but if you google you'll find recommended positioning for using two Yagi style antennas in a MIMO setup. There are even mounting brackets for it.

[@decastring]

Do the omni-directional antennas you have mounted on the bus roof interfere with each other given their proximity?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

No, they're far enough apart for LTE frequency bands.

[@young.adolescent.youth.ent4400]

Great video! Trying to set up my office so quick question...If I'm in a rural area (stationary) and there are a few Towers in my area, you are recommending an Omni-directional or MIMO? Also, when looking for ideal strengthens do I do a bandlock or leave open?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Directional vs Omni and single vs MIMO are two different specifications. For a specification location, it's hard to guess what will best.

[@young.adolescent.youth.ent4400]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter, so how do I determine what I would need without buying all options and testing?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We are focused on mobile, not stationary. Here's our guide to stationary: www.rvmobileinternet.com/stationary

[@tompeter7482]

Hey thanks for the video. Question: The Mimo... should it be actually in a vertical position? Do I reduce the signal in horizontal position?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Depends on the specific model and how it was designed.

[@tompeter7482]

Sorry, yes, its the Netgear Mimo. The one you have.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Experimenting with placement is sometimes worthwhile. Signal conditions vary quite a bit by location.

[@shravanm3076]

Does yagi antenna works in rain

[@kevinhermes]

What would be my best opinion if I have good reception outside my rv and I just want to improve the reception inside the rv for video streaming?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Here's our full guide to optimizing cellular data performance: www.rvmobileinternet.com/performance If you are a member, feel free to ask questions in our forums so our team can better address your unique situation.

[@kennygrigsby3964]

Very explanatory except for what device that you need to have to get the signal coming from the antenna and coaxial cable to turn it into actual wifi or cell phone signal

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We have tons of content on routers and hotspots.

[@richardgenz7406]

Hi and thanks for all of your great info. I just installed a Yagi directional antenna with the goal of supplementing my Omni antenna when necessary. It has not worked out. The people at weBoost are now saying that my DriveSleek booster cannot handle a directional antenna's power. I get no improvement in signal when I switch from Omni to Yagi. Any thoughts? Yagi is hooked up and mounted to rotating TV antenna mast & I'd like to get some use out of it...short of spending $650 for their Destination RV booster system.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Each location will vary as to what works best.. usually you have to do a bit of experimentation to optimize performance. Here's our guide to the things that impact performance: www.rvmobileinternet.com/performance

[@richardgenz7406]

Thank you! The article you linked has tons of info I didn't know. Maybe the Yagi + DriveSleek booster will deliver results in a different location. weBoost tech didn't think so. Soon I'll hit the road and find out.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

In general.. MIMO will work better than boosters anyway.

[@coreypenn6488]

NIce video. What adapter are you using to connect your mobile hotspot to the directional antenna? I ordered a sma-ts9 adapter but the coaxial end is much too small to connect to the antenna pigtail.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Depends on what ends are on your directional.

[@coreypenn6488]

I have a Wilson directional antenna with the stock pigtail. I’m trying to connect it to both antenna ports on a M1. I have purchased a sma-ts9 adapter but the sma end is much smaller than the pigtail from the antenna and much smaller than standard coaxial cable. The instructions say that the connector is 50 ohm-N-Female-75 Ohm -F-Female

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Then you need to find the correct connectors.

[@D-OveRMinD]

Another thing to note is that directional antennas require an unobstructed clear line of site to the towers. If you are surrounded by trees or other obstructions, an omnidirectional or panel type will be far better than a directional in those situations.

[@tarakivu8861]

You dont. If an omnidirectional can get the signal, so can a directional one. But the best path might not be the direct one, but one which maybe reflects of a nearby hill

[@bettertoaster]

Are there directional antennas that I can put on the roof of my van and then rotate until they point into the right direction? Probably under a dome, to make the wind proof. Don’t want to remove them while driving.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We are not aware of any products like that - but would be awesome if someone invented such a device.

[@theantennaguy4620]

You can use a handheld RF cellular signal analyser to give you details of all networks detected in the area. The one I have has a livecan feature which gives you live signal data of the network you select. Very useful for omni antenna positioning and especially for setting up directional antenna equipment.

[@derekdauzat]

i have 1 Wilson 314411 50 Ohm & 1 Wilson 314475 75- Ohm.. both have 25ft of rg6 to the mofi.. (rg6 is 75 Ohm i think) is this problematic enough to go to the trouble to change it both the same antennas and the proper cable to match? will I notice that huge of a difference?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Hard to say - might want to contact Wilson.

[@Iamgarwood]

The price of the Netgear Mimo must have jumped, everything I am seeing is $100 and up. Everything on Ebay is shipping from outside the U.S. At the price point mentioned it met the trifecta of all gear Simple-effective-afordable; at $100 I wonder if 2 out of three is still worth it or if other options offer similar performance for less.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

It's currently out of stock... we have alternatives reviewed in our guide to it - www.rvmobileinternet.com/netgear-mimo

[@noconz0727]

Can you run two directional antennas for MIMO on your jetpack?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Yes

[@vicinitydigitaldesig]

So you’re saying all those 4g antennas that come with long and thin cables are hopeless?

[@Snows_Cold]

what type of cables and connecters to i need to connect my 2 yagi antennas to my verizon jetpack 8800l im running my antenna about 50-100 feet in the air could someone please provide me links id apreaciate it so much

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

The 8800L needs TS9.

[@muhammadnawaz1293]

What is the name of device in your hand? It shows -dbm power, RSRP, RSRQ and SNR values of 1800mhz 4GLTE

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Are you referring to the signal meter? www.rvmobileinternet.com/gear/wilsonpro-signal-meter/

[@a67mino]

Hi, I have a Yagi 314411 antenna. I ordered aLMR 400 cable with SMA Female connector. They don’t fit. Can you tell me what I need to make them connect.?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Depends on what you're connecting to them, we have a guide to cables & connectors for our members here: www.rvmobileinternet.com/guides/cables-connectors-and-adapters/

[@a67mino]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter Hi, I have a Yagi 314411 with a SMA Male straight connector that has to go to a SMA FEMALE but the female end is to slim to fit in the male end. So, I need an adapter that will be “fat” enough to fit into the SMA Male end.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

You're probably best contacting weBoost for customer assistance.

[@a67mino]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter Thank you for your help and thank you for your videos.

[@williamwhitaker5951]

about 2miles from us cellular tower from our place we have trees and more trees around us we tryed it all. now looking starlink JUST maybe got cheaper idea

[@kelseylee135]

Hi there! Can this method also work on a house across the street from internet? I'm looking to use my work's wifi in my home (which is owned by my work). I have the password for the wifi and I am able to get a weak connection at the bottom of my yard. Can you offer any imput? What would I need to purchase to do this if its possible?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We are focused on mobile internet in RVs and boats, not stationary setups.

[@kelseylee135]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter But could a similar set-up work in a home?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Most of the antennas in this video are cellular, not Wi-Fi. We have a guide to using WiFi at www.rvmobileinternet.com/wifi

[@danielpayne8943]

I have a netgear nighthawk mr1100 with the ethernet port. I was wondering what you thought about this idea I've been rolling around after listening to you guys and many others. What if you had the dual yagi at 45° set up on a mast, but right on the pole build a box to put the router in. Then the length of the wire from antenna to device can be very short. Then get a 25-50 ft cat7 cord and plug into the ethernet port and run it to where ever to a regular router set up as a repeater? Any thoughts?

[@danielpayne8943]

Also, i have the netgear mimo antenna too and i noticed on the packaging that they have it pointed on 2 opposite sides. One way when they have it on the laptop, and the other way when stuck to window. Is there a right or wrong way, there must be right?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

If you can supply power and weather proofing.. sure.

[@duckthis17]

I am going try directional dual yagi's indoors first,to see what improvement I can get with the antenna's indoors.I have the nighthawk too and it is leaps and bounds above any other hotspot I have had in the past 20 yrs.The cat 16 is the difference from what I'm told. I live in a very rural and wooded area in central WI.My ATT tower is just over 4.5 miles away.I also have the netgear mimo antenna which does help but I am curious to see how much more speed I can get with a dual directional set-up indoors and I may run a short length of lmr through my window with a flat coax adapter and mount the antenna's on the side of my house or roof with a short cable run of 8'. By the way,the flat side of the netgear mimo antenna is the side to point towards your tower.

[@danielpayne8943]

Nunofyour beesiness I too live in Wisconsin, Clintonville. Thanks for the confirmation on which side to point with the netgear mimo. I figured it was that, but wasn't entirely sure. I have been pricing the dual yagis with the 45° slant. I hate buying things twice and i try to future proof as much as possible. It seems that the cheaper Yagis are not future proofed. Best i found price wise with proper specs and accessories is on Amazon. The Tupavco TP545. Comes with brackets that can 45 and also TS9 couplers. 700mh-2.7gh $44.99. But the Poynting ones are like $95, seem future proofed, are much bigger, and come with 25' of cable. But it just seems to me easier to keep the cable short and to mount the Nighthawk with it and run the cat7 wire from the ethernet port. Cheaper, effective, and much easier to work with. They have a flat version too.

[@duckthis17]

What kind of speeds are you getting with the nighthawk by itself,How far from the tower are you? We lived for years with 2gb down and 1 up which is liveable for surfing the web,but not much more especially with 4 of us in our household with many phones and computers.I've only had the nitehawk for 2 months and have seen speeds as fast as 43 gb down and 12 up so its a major leap that quit frankly shocked me considered our secluded thick woods location.This new cat 16 is unbelievable.I think what your planning would work but I am real curious on your speeds right now with mimo antenna.Do you know where your tower is and do you have the nighthawk and antenna near a window facing that direction? This nighthawk is so good that my wife can work from home now.Not sure what you mean from future proof? Im thinking 5g is what you mean.Keep in mind that 5g will not be available for quit sometime and possibly a long,long time if your like me in a rural area.From what Ive read 5g signal is even weaker than 4g and will most likely only be in the cities and rural areas will stay 4g because of the better long distance signal.

[@RioGrandeValleyPolitics]

Have you considered mounting the directional antenna to the regular over the air tv antenna pole. It can be raised and rotated from inside an rv.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Those with batwing antennas have utilized that mounting option. Our personal RVs don't have that style of antenna.

[@ysgi]

Which hotspot do you have?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We have most current models available ... we test them all as part of our 'job' running this resource.

[@a67mino]

When I connect antenna it cuts off my internet.

[@byronewhite]

Some of these poles concern me. Lighting attractors!? Maybe?

[@Seventh7Art]

How about replacing all that stuff with Starlink satellite internet?

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Starlink is a great option - but it has lots of considerations. Here's our guide to it: www.rvmobileinternet.com/stalrink

[@EarlBalentine]

As always excellent videos. I hope we run into each other on the road and talk tech trash : )

[@Fennec1919]

Your setup is totally wrong for MIMO antenna you have to put both antennas at the same direction for the closest tower and you put 1st antenna +45° and the 2nd - 45° for polarization

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We weren't setup for MIMO in this video.. we were testing two Yagi-styles antennas with boosters independently.

[@duckthis17]

Depends who you talk to.I got conflicting answers directly from companies like wilson,repeaterstore,ect.

[@slycollins6029]

How much are u paying for the Verizon plan

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We have now retired plans that are no longer available.

[@chidubemnwaka1051]

Does this increase download speed

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Many things impact the speeds: www.rvmobileinterne.com/cellsignal

[@stevegulick7656]

Why don't cell providers publish the GPS coordinates of all their towers? It seems like they want to keep it secrete. It would seem to benefit the cell company to make it easier for their customers to best position their antennas.

[@rsimch]

Spend your time fixing antennae than really being on the internet connected, streaming all you want :) :) :)

[@Billblom]

I'm 5.8 to 8.6 miles from the closest towers. This is farm country, with NO AT&T and most other services. T-mobile.. almost usable, but data? 1-3 meg down, 100-500k up in most cases. In the Durham area, the local ham radio group owns a bunch of towers (the Durham FM association) --- and they take in a bunch of money on tower rentals to cell operators. Unfortunately they don't own anything in the Four Oaks area. I may be forced to take Verizon on despite the horrible contracts and so on. Their signal at my house is at least 3 bars....

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

Verizon Wireless doesn't do contracts anymore. And if you don't want to deal with Verizon directly, there are resellers and MVNO's that utilize the Verizon network. More info: www.rvmobileinternet.com/planpicks

[@canman65]

Your Yagi's - 1. should both be pointed in the same direction and use both wires to your hotspot. 2. Your Yagi's are not cross polarized(they are straight up and down) and it will reduce your signal greatly. Mimo is the age we live in. Single Yagi's don't cut it anymore with 4G and higher. Each yagi should be canted in opposite 45 degree angles for correct installation.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

We were actually testing these with boosters.. not MIMO, at the time.

[@canman65]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter Using 2 yagi's canted at 45 degrees is Mimo. And I use mine on a Weboost 4G Home. Your speeds even canting 1 antenna is far better then straight up and down. When you pull signal with it up and down your upload speeds will suffer. I went from 9 Mbps down and 1 to maybe 2 Mbps up to 67 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up when I learned that trick, and 2 yogi's push it over 110 Mbps down and 35 Mbps up. BTW my tower is over 10 miles away thru some trees. Everyone's mileage may vary depending on topography of course. And this is in no way a hit on your video. I just wanted to add to that conversation. Great video.

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

MIMO doesn't work with a single booster, which is what we were testing here. We agree that MIMO antennas generally work much better than boosters in most situations. As always, it's best to test at each location to see what works best.

[@canman65]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter Dang that is what I get for listening to other people. lol your so correct Mimo doesn't work with boosters. Your other video I missed explains it much better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2XXiJx3qNaZgM0&feature=emb_logo . My issue of late (past couple of days) has been ATT playing with the power of certain towers around me. I had been using the flat panel Mimo antennas made for the netgear nighthawk mobile hotspots. They worked fantastic till 2 days ago. So long story short to get off a weak tower I started using my Weboost 4g home to force direction of the input/output signal. Thanks for your great videos and highly apologize for my error in information.

[@canman65]

BTW the Mimo antennas in the forest, work far better for me then weboost ever did. 1 or 2 bars still gets me a 1080P picture with no bonding. As they say place and time for everything lol.

[@xXRenaxChanXx]

Don't forget the deceptive "cell towers" that are actually owned by Wisps and not Cellular providers. (Wisps use similar technology thus their towers look extremely similar.) Note: I am not accusing Wisps of deception, rather the saying "looks can be deceiving".

[@_Amilio_]

I don't have bad internet. I'm just signally challenged :P

[@TheBigChill1]

With so many information an two antennas in the same pole you forgot completely about antenna polarisation... Dude, point the two antennas to the same side and put them one in vertical and other in horizontal polarisation and it would work much better...

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

The two different antennas on this pole were being compared and tested against each other - only one hooked up at a time. Indeed, if you wanted to use two directional antennas as a a pair you should cross polarize them in the same direction. We talk about that elsewhere.

[@TheBigChill1]

@@MobileInternetResourceCenter Thanks for the answer, as a Radio Telecom installer myself I only comment on that coz I thought was useful...

[@MobileInternetResourceCenter]

You were assuming MIMO.. which is correct. But these were being compared with boosters at the time of this filming, in SISO.