Cheap Antenna for Telstra 4GX Modem (ZTE Mf910v - TS9)

FLICKIT on 31/03/2023 - 18:54
Last edited 31/03/2023 - 19:21

I'm heading off on another big lap of Aus in my campervan soon and I'm toying with the idea of trying a cheap 4G antenna to improve reception in rural & fringe areas… (often free-camp on the outskirts of remote towns and such where there's barely any reception)

Does anyone have any experience with cheap 4G antennas?, any recommendations?

Do things like this actually help or are they a bit of a gimmick? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/404184699744

Any advise greatly appreciated :)

The modem: http://zte.co.nz/MF910V.htm

Internet Antenna

Comments

  • GordonD on 31/03/2023 - 19:57

    If you're doing big lap of Australia in a campervan, this is an option you could consider. Yes, its expensive per month compared to a home plan, but it works anywhere in Australia, and you pay by the month and can pause it when you don't need it.

    https://www.starlink.com/roam

    • FLICKIT on 31/03/2023 - 20:23

      I've done 3 laps in the past 2017-2018-2019, internet isn't "that" critical, I'm happy to use discounted Telstra/Boost SIMs… It would just be nice to get slightly better fringe reception…

  • GordonD on 31/03/2023 - 20:04
    +1

    On the subject of cheap chinese made ebay antennas, you pretty much get what you pay for.

    You need to go to somewhere like The Antenna Shop to know with any confidence that whatever antenna you've bought will turn out, when you're out in the middle of nowhere, to actually improve your reception. I'm sure some ebay ones do actually work, but, sorry, like everything else sold there, its hard to know which is the real thing and which is the rubbish.

    https://antennashop.com.au/

    • FLICKIT on 31/03/2023 - 20:43

      That's about what I was expecting to hear thanks… That store has a couple of similar antennas at around $65…

      Magnetic mount would be easy:
      https://antennashop.com.au/product/lpbem-6-60-2-ts9/
      But a longer cable might be wise so I can throw it up higher on a pole:
      https://antennashop.com.au/product/b4be-6-60-5-ts9/
      (this on is also SMA with TS9 adapters which might make it more useful/universal when I eventually upgrade the modem)

      So, any comments on this style of antenna? .. I'm semi-keen on an omni-directional because at times you don't really know where the nearest or best tower is located….

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