What do you all think. I have little experience in the 900mhz world, so im checking here first before i go out and start buying... What do you guys suggest for a good omni manufacturer? For the 900mhz frequency what do you suggest as for the Dbi setting. Elevation of tower is 100 feet above ground level. Either using sr9 or Xr9 Or Zcom900 . Please leave your feedback on this before i go buy. Greatly appreciated -Jordan

Call Scott at this number http://www.tedi.us/

and tell him You want the same 900 omni antenna scott from Brevard Wireless bought. It worked very well. The only antenna that has compared to it was 3 times the price, 3 times the size and 3 db more gain.

It was an antennex or pctel/maxrad something - I forget its in my office I just took it out of service so I can look it up if need be. It was 8 or 9db. The one I mention above was a pac wireless 11dbi antenna. It has also worked extremely well - but as stated was much larger and much more expensive (2-3 times).

Scott

Call Scott at this number http://www.tedi.us/

and tell him You want the same 900 omni antenna scott from Brevard Wireless bought. It worked very well. The only antenna that has compared to it was 3 times the price, 3 times the size and 3 db more gain.

It was an antennex or pctel/maxrad something - I forget its in my office I just took it out of service so I can look it up if need be. It was 8 or 9db. The one I mention above was a pac wireless 11dbi antenna. It has also worked extremely well - but as stated was much larger and much more expensive (2-3 times).

Scott

Thanks Scott. I will give him a call and ask him about it. But just being curious What were the ranges your got with these antenna's? Thanks -Jordan

P.S anybody else have any input on antenna's? thanks

The range is completely dependent upon your environment. I was penetrating miles of vegetation. I've gone as far out as four miles with usable links when thre are less obstructions but with a 60 foot tower.

With 100 feet and a low noise floor and near los you could go *much* further. 900Mhz really travels a long way.

Scott

If wind loading and weight is not a factor, I've had good luck with Pac Wireless H-pol sector SAH9-12 and the omni ODH-9-9. They are big and beastly. If you have the structure to mount them, they work great.
I have one client at 6 miles through several miles of timber along a river getting -75dbm from the 9dbi omni. 1.5M up/down with speedtests.
I had a v-pol omni that had great distances but didn't compare with the H-pol through obstructions.

If wind loading and weight is not a factor, I've had good luck with Pac Wireless H-pol sector SAH9-12 and the omni ODH-9-9. They are big and beastly. If you have the structure to mount them, they work great.
I have one client at 6 miles through several miles of timber along a river getting -75dbm from the 9dbi omni. 1.5M up/down with speedtests.
I had a v-pol omni that had great distances but didn't compare with the H-pol through obstructions.

On one tower i do that can take that load but my other tower NO Light and little as POSSIBLE!!! Here is a pic of the tower im mounting the light and tiny one on with 2.4ghz. -Jordan

I looked at the omni I had tonight when I went by office. Its a maxrad mbp 9157 7db omni

The first mbp part might be mixed up a bit but anyone that handles these will know what you mean.

Thats 7db - not dbi like pw antennas are rated so its a bit more than it appears - maybe 9dbi

Any way, doesnt matter what stickers they put on the antenna - I had this antenna where 3 more were before it and this one was my favorite all around / price / size / beamwidth / mounting / performance etc...

Scott

Question is what is best 900MHz Omni antenna.

Hands down, MTI MT-243003/NH
Omnidirectional Slotted Array, 11.5dBi
Horizontal Polarization
77"x12"x2" at 25+ pounds

Comes with mounting plate fixture. Advise torquing every bolt to max. Only had one antenna bend over due to very large wind load in bad storm on a day we had tornados in area. That was one too many, but the thick steel plate looked pretty comical crinkled like tin foil , after I replaced the mount and could actually laugh at the situation. Fortunately it was in the middle of a roof, and it just broke my stuff.

Yes, its has a high purchase cost, but in long run, not actually expensive and worth every dollar. Uses sophisticated broadcast technology. Will outperform any of above mentioned wannabe antennas. Physics should tell you it must be at least this big to get out like a ton of bricks (really). Tested higher cost Antel 900MHz 12ft vertical pol heavy duty high power commercial antenna against this. Horizontal pol is no doubt better in crowded RF environments, but also installed it 100 miles outside of urban area on a 180 ft modern water tower with about a 35ft diameter tank (very large base). Had to fabricate unistrut mount, 1/2" hardened stainless bolts, very large beam clamps, if you dont want to see it on the ground again. Just drove past this install last week a year after installing it, and it isnt leaning a bit! This antenna was tested against the Antel it replaced at 5+ miles line-of-sight. For whatever reason, signals at CPE with same yagi changed to horizontal pol were 20dBm louder. Hard to believe, but saw it myself. Possible that RF conditions at CPE in small town had some other RF in band, but SNR made radio work at max bitrate. Typically could get 12-15 mile range, never totally line-of-sight. Through medium density piney woods, 7 miles possible with signals peaking about -69 to -66dBm. Achieved this performance with about 50 customers off water tower AP. Granted, water towers are at the top of the terrain, but the empirical evidence proves that this antenna will pay for itself easily in revenue, thats why I dont think its expensive. More expensive when unable to install willing customers. Just make sure you have a gorilla torque those bolts.

You get what you pay for. Have installed several of these monsters and every one of them exhibits drastically improved performance over any other antenna. Not only that, it is a sight to behold when you see that odd looking 'plank' of antenna on a water tower, or roof of a tall building. No one can figure out what that thing is

Question is what is best 900MHz Omni antenna.

Hands down, MTI MT-243003/NH
Omnidirectional Slotted Array, 11.5dBi
Horizontal Polarization
77"x12"x2" at 25+ pounds

Comes with mounting plate fixture. Advise torquing every bolt to max. Only had one antenna bend over due to very large wind load in bad storm on a day we had tornados in area. That was one too many, but the thick steel plate looked pretty comical crinkled like tin foil , after I replaced the mount and could actually laugh at the situation. Fortunately it was in the middle of a roof, and it just broke my stuff.

Yes, its has a high purchase cost, but in long run, not actually expensive and worth every dollar. Uses sophisticated broadcast technology. Will outperform any of above mentioned wannabe antennas. Physics should tell you it must be at least this big to get out like a ton of bricks (really). Tested higher cost Antel 900MHz 12ft vertical pol heavy duty high power commercial antenna against this. Horizontal pol is no doubt better in crowded RF environments, but also installed it 100 miles outside of urban area on a 180 ft modern water tower with about a 35ft diameter tank (very large base). Had to fabricate unistrut mount, 1/2" hardened stainless bolts, very large beam clamps, if you dont want to see it on the ground again. Just drove past this install last week a year after installing it, and it isnt leaning a bit! This antenna was tested against the Antel it replaced at 5+ miles line-of-sight. For whatever reason, signals at CPE with same yagi changed to horizontal pol were 20dBm louder. Hard to believe, but saw it myself. Possible that RF conditions at CPE in small town had some other RF in band, but SNR made radio work at max bitrate. Typically could get 12-15 mile range, never totally line-of-sight. Through medium density piney woods, 7 miles possible with signals peaking about -69 to -66dBm. Achieved this performance with about 50 customers off water tower AP. Granted, water towers are at the top of the terrain, but the empirical evidence proves that this antenna will pay for itself easily in revenue, thats why I dont think its expensive. More expensive when unable to install willing customers. Just make sure you have a gorilla torque those bolts.

You get what you pay for. Have installed several of these monsters and every one of them exhibits drastically improved performance over any other antenna. Not only that, it is a sight to behold when you see that odd looking 'plank' of antenna on a water tower, or roof of a tall building. No one can figure out what that thing is

Thanks for the post. I will take a look at it. What kind of 900mhz cards do you use? -Jordan

There is no hands down best antenna for anything. Its like picking a tool out of your toolbox. You can pick out the best pair of wire strippers you have ever seen and try to drive a nail with it.

The antennas listed here are *good omni antennas we have had success with*

Scott

There is no hands down best antenna for anything. Its like picking a tool out of your toolbox. You can pick out the best pair of wire strippers you have ever seen and try to drive a nail with it.

The antennas listed here are *good omni antennas we have had success with*

Scott

OK...Your are right...Putting that antenna in an apartment complex wouldnt be the right antenna. I have seen other 900MHz horizonal omnis that have potential. In fact I have used a Hyperlink 42" vertical at 300ft that performed really well. I guess I always think in terms of 'DX' or getting out as far and loud as possible. This is just a ham radio thing. I should have qualified it without 'hands down', or 'If price is no matter, and you have to hedge your bet on getting the best signal out to the largest Non-line-of-sight coverage area, and you have a place to mount the beast'.
I too will be ecstatic when I build a home brew antenna for a few dollars and it blows away the heavy hitters. So, there always is the right price/performance ratio for each RF environment, and sometimes you will find that 42" vertical with many satisfied customers on it, including on my network. I was just blown away with how well that MTI worked. I didnt believe my field techs when they were telling me what they were able to do until I saw it for myself. So when a product has such high technology that it stands out, and performs beyond expectation, I guess I turned into an advocate for the product...Point taken...

However, znet is correct.

The difference being a kids toy wire strippers and a pair of Klein wire strippers.

You can't compare the antennas. Comparing MTI to Pacwireless or Maxrad would be like comparing a SR9 to Canopy - there is no comparison.