A broadband antenna is an antenna capable of covering a wider or broader distance of frequencies. In choosing a broadband antenna for your Internet use, it is often necessary to know what kind is appropriate for your installation area and environment. You should then know your computer set up before making a purchase. It is also advisable to choose a broadband antenna that can easily be maneuvered, and one that you can place not too far from the modem.
Surveying your installation area and existing equipment is a good idea before checking out available broadband antennas. A wireless antenna can come in varying shapes and sizes including circular antennas, helical antennas, and parabolic antennas. Each of these antennas have features that may depend on your location, the obstacles in your area and the distance between the antenna and the devices that will be using the Internet connection.
If you have decided to use a mobile antenna to get a broadband signal, some broadband or 3G signals can only cover a limited area. This means you have to make sure that you will always have coverage wherever you will be using this antenna. It will sometimes become useless if you happen to be in a dead spot or in an area where the 3G signal is always weak.
Another thing to consider before purchasing a broadband antenna is your current computer set up. You must determine if your computer is ready for a broadband connection. If not, it is recommended that you determine what accessories, devices, or software you may need to install before you connect a broadband antenna to your current set up. One of the things you also need to check is if you already have an adapter that will let your broadband antenna interface or interact with your modem. If you still do not have the appropriate adapter, it is often beneficial to look for an antenna that includes the required adapter.
Looking for a broadband antenna that can easily be maneuvered is also necessary. Broadband signals may not always be reliable and you will sometimes get weak signals. In these situations you may need to re-adjust the position of your broadband antenna by moving it to another location, by adjusting its height or by simply turning it to point in a target direction.
Distance between the antenna and the modem will definitely affect broadband gain. It is therefore recommended that you keep the antenna as near as possible to the modem to get maximum gain. You may also check the cables and wires that you will be using to see if they are compatible and if they are optimal accessories for both modem and antenna.