The current design connects an omni antenna to the RF500B. Signal strength is not optimal for some distant locations.
Is it possible instead to replace the omni antenna with two yagi antennas to obtain better signal strength ? The yagi antennas would need to point in two different directions.
If so, what are the specific components needed to connect the RF500B to the two yagi's ? What possible problems do we need to watch out for ?
Thanks!
It is possible to connect two antennas to a single radio. I believe you will need a power divider. However, I doubt you want to go down that road. You will be dividing your transmission power between two antennas.
If you are having signal strength problems, often the best approach includes one or more of the following. Implement systematically, making note of any observed improvements.
a) Do what you can to minimize the amount of obstructions within your radio path - sometimes something as simple as raising the antenna at either or both ends a few feet or trimming a few tree limbs can make a difference
b) Work to minimize your antenna cabling and connector insertion losses - i.e. try using less connections, shorter cables, or cables will lower transmission losses
c) Replace your existing omni antenna with a higher gain omni antenna - this will increase the ERP and RSS for your base
d) Place a high gain YAGI antenna at your remote site - point it towards the repeater or base
As Sam says try the easier solutions first. For omnidirectional antenna you can sometimes add an extra reflector (simple clip on rods) to focus the beam a little without going to a yagi. If you wish to use combined antennae you are probably best going to a specialist antenna supplier to get the ideal combination of aerials and combiner hardware.
Combining antenna loses you 3 dB in both transmit power and received signal strength. In addition you can sometimes get worse degradation if the two antenna pick up the same signal from remote stations, especially if by reflection. This is the equivalent of seeing ghost images on an analog TV signal and is a known risk of combining antenna.
* Last updated by: aps on 6/7/2010 @ 5:55 AM *