Signal strength dependant on CAR?

Rotifer · 01-03-2003

Hey i was just wording when i stumble in my caddy I seem to pick up ALOT more aps in this area than when i ride around in a buddys truck......i originaly wanted to use the truck because its taller and figured would do better......what gives?

using a orinoco gold with omni.

Thorn · 01-03-2003

Better ground plane.

Rotifer · 01-03-2003

Thanks for the info but are you refering to the ground plane on the antenna? or the power system.......in caddy i have a permantly mounted coleman powermate 800watt inverter.......when i ride with other folks i use a cheaper and crappier walmart issue 100watt portable for electricity.

DigitalMDX · 01-03-2003

I would also look at interference.
Park the caddy next to the truck in front of your house or someplase you know there is an AP. Then compair the signal strength and noise levels and see how the two compair. Try a couple of tests... one with the vehicles running and one with them shut off... (when your in the Caddy make sure the truck is turned off, and visa versa)... then finally, if you have decent results in the Caddy... start the truck while it is next to the Caddy and see if the results taper off... could be the truck causing interference. Let us know.
-Jay

Thorn · 01-03-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Rotifer
Thanks for the info but are you refering to the ground plane on the antenna? or the power system.......in caddy i have a permantly mounted coleman powermate 800watt inverter.......when i ride with other folks i use a cheaper and crappier walmart issue 100watt portable for electricity.

RF ground plane in relation to the antenna.

My thinking is that the Caddy has about a 5'x5' roof, compared to the 2'x5' of a pickup. Additionally, the Caddy's hood and trunk are closer to the roof than a pickup's hood and bed. This all translates to a much larger ground plane for the antenna.

Better ground plane = better signal to the antenna.

It could be the power source is cleaner, but I'm more inclined to think it's the ground plane.

Rotifer · 01-03-2003

Interesting, i do have a known ap I usually do a fly by on before i go anywhere im gonna try a buddys 75' oldsmobil wagon if fat and wide is whats helps. thanks for the help folks...

db8tr · 01-04-2003

I would second Thorn's idea of the groundplane, and add the idea of different levels of rf noise created by the different vehicles. I know that at the lower frequencies used in amateur radio, rf noise from car componets can be a major problem in a mobile installation. Often, the fuel pump is the culprit. I don't know how much rf a car outputs at 2.4gHz, so I may be barking up the wrong tree... but it is another idea.

01-03-2003	#1 (permalink)
Rotifer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 42	Signal strength dependant on CAR? Hey i was just wording when i stumble in my caddy I seem to pick up ALOT more aps in this area than when i ride around in a buddys truck......i originaly wanted to use the truck because its taller and figured would do better......what gives? using a orinoco gold with omni. __________________ When the Going gets tough, Lower your standards.

01-03-2003	#2 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,358	Better ground plane. __________________ Thorn "Read Altas Shrugged. Compare it to today. Repeat as necessary"

01-03-2003	#3 (permalink)
Rotifer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 42	Thanks for the info but are you refering to the ground plane on the antenna? or the power system.......in caddy i have a permantly mounted coleman powermate 800watt inverter.......when i ride with other folks i use a cheaper and crappier walmart issue 100watt portable for electricity. __________________ When the Going gets tough, Lower your standards.

01-03-2003	#6 (permalink)
Rotifer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 42	Interesting, i do have a known ap I usually do a fly by on before i go anywhere im gonna try a buddys 75' oldsmobil wagon if fat and wide is whats helps. thanks for the help folks... __________________ When the Going gets tough, Lower your standards.

01-04-2003	#7 (permalink)
db8tr Wireless Widget Whacker Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 145	I would second Thorn's idea of the groundplane, and add the idea of different levels of rf noise created by the different vehicles. I know that at the lower frequencies used in amateur radio, rf noise from car componets can be a major problem in a mobile installation. Often, the fuel pump is the culprit. I don't know how much rf a car outputs at 2.4gHz, so I may be barking up the wrong tree... but it is another idea. __________________ -Db8tr

01-03-2003	#4 (permalink)
DigitalMDX Digital Stumbler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 236	I would also look at interference. Park the caddy next to the truck in front of your house or someplase you know there is an AP. Then compair the signal strength and noise levels and see how the two compair. Try a couple of tests... one with the vehicles running and one with them shut off... (when your in the Caddy make sure the truck is turned off, and visa versa)... then finally, if you have decent results in the Caddy... start the truck while it is next to the Caddy and see if the results taper off... could be the truck causing interference. Let us know. -Jay

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