Antenna Identification

[knalley]

I've had this question on my mind for many years since purchasing my 97 Fleetwood Bounder. The previous owner installed some antennas on the coach and I'm not sure what they are all for. I know one is a CB antenna and I've already put it to use... but I have no idea what the others are for. I'm including some photos, any ideas? Ideally, I'd like to use one for an external wi-fi antenna for my router. I've tried using "Google" but I guess I'm not searching correctly because all I typically get are results dealing with cell towers.

[knalley]

Thanks again, looks like this might be my new mounting spot for a wifi antenna 🙂

[YC_1]

It needs to be tossed. You could use the coax as a pull cable for a new antenna if you wanted to mount something there. A new cellular antenna for a Wilson Sleek would do nicely there. Not the best but adequate.

[SCVJeff]

YC 1 wrote:
It definitely looks like 800 MHz band. Funny looking base of the actual stinger base. Looks like someone glued an 800 MHz Motorola mount to some sort of stick. Maybe an old fire stick CB antenna someone played with.

yep.. I still think thats an NMO mount, but attached to what I dont know. Its for sure not a Firestick since that would have been bottom fed on a bolt. This has coax running up it.

[knalley]

That would make sense, the coach is a 97, I bought it in 2004 and it was on there when I got it. Is that base pretty much useless? Can it be used for anything else more useful, or should it just be removed when convenient?

[YC_1]

It definitely looks like 800 MHz band. Funny looking base of the actual stinger base. Looks like someone glued an 800 MHz Motorola mount to some sort of stick. Maybe an old fire stick CB antenna someone played with.

[SCVJeff]

IMHO that's a 3db gain 800Mhz cell antenna (old school) on an elevated feed. The connector is a standard male TNC which used to be common on mobile cell mount assemblies. Some had amps, others with coil cords into the phone carrying coax and power.

[knalley]

Jeff, here are some more pictures... not sure if this helps.

YC, thanks for the links, I'll check those out.

[SCVJeff]

YC 1 wrote:
Jeff, you are probably thinking of a TNC connector.

The long antenna looks like an elevated feed point cellular antenna.

yep, tnx.. Ive got RP versions of TNC adapters in my connector bag too.
And I agree about the cell antenna, thats why i was curious about a better picture of what looks like the real base of the antenna.

[jorbill2or]

Under 100$ wifi booster
This may be what you want for boosting park wifi signal

[YC_1]

knalley wrote:
Chuck, as I looked at the connection a little closer I realized it's not a bnc connection on that middle antenna, but instead it has a connection that resembles a picture I saw on amazon (RP-SMA). I'll try to locate a ham operator and see what frequency the antenna is meant for, I suspect it may have been a cellular antenna.

YC1, I stayed at two different campgrounds this past weekend and was frustrated because their wi-fi was too far away. I'm running a linksys router using dd-wrt software to act as a wi-fi repeater. Most of the "boosted" antennas I've seen are usb that require a direct connection with your computer. I did locate one that simply boosted the signal (2W 2.4Ghz Wifi Wireless Broadband Amplifier). I was also considering the TP-LINK TL-ANT2424B 2.4GHz 24dBi Directional Grid Parabolic Antenna at amazon. My satellite dish is not currently being used so I was thinking about attaching the antenna to it... hopefully that will give me a much great range.

Check this item

You don't have to mount this outside but you could easily put it on a pvc pole as I have done in the past. Currently I removed the antenna and connected it to my outside antenna and keep the device inside next to my own Wi-Fi router. This is a strong device and works extremely well for me. You don't have to run it through a wi fi router, you can connect it directly through a cat 5 cable. You get one connection,. But then you can use software to turn your computer into a repeater if you want. The device is much stronger than your normal Wi-Fi repeater routers.

[YC_1]

Jeff, you are probably thinking of a TNC connector.

The long antenna looks like an elevated feed point cellular antenna.

[SCVJeff]

If that's an RP-SMA, it's likely a WiFi antenna. Cellular uses Mini-UHF, and another one I can't remember, but not either flavor of SMA. BNC is typically not used on anything in the cellular or WiFi service either.

Also, can you take a better picture of the base of the coil spike? I'm curious if it's drilled and tapped around that little hub. that's metal I assume?

[knalley]

Chuck, as I looked at the connection a little closer I realized it's not a bnc connection on that middle antenna, but instead it has a connection that resembles a picture I saw on amazon (RP-SMA). I'll try to locate a ham operator and see what frequency the antenna is meant for, I suspect it may have been a cellular antenna.

YC1, I stayed at two different campgrounds this past weekend and was frustrated because their wi-fi was too far away. I'm running a linksys router using dd-wrt software to act as a wi-fi repeater. Most of the "boosted" antennas I've seen are usb that require a direct connection with your computer. I did locate one that simply boosted the signal (2W 2.4Ghz Wifi Wireless Broadband Amplifier). I was also considering the TP-LINK TL-ANT2424B 2.4GHz 24dBi Directional Grid Parabolic Antenna at amazon. My satellite dish is not currently being used so I was thinking about attaching the antenna to it... hopefully that will give me a much great range.

[SCVJeff]

rk911 wrote:


could it be a mini uhf? this variety of mini uhf connectors are often found on cellular antennas.

Actually thats an 'N' Male, and Mini UHF Female on the back side