Model CD1298  5dbi Marine Antenna designed for permanent or removable installation.  Uses a bracket for attaching to a stainless rail.  A 2 metre 9dbi permanent installation version is also available.  Cable is purchased separately for these two antennas

• These antennas have a gain of 3 dbi to 5 dbi.  The decibel level or gain improvement is logarithmic so a 5 dbi antenna will do much more than a 3 dbi antenna.
• Sierra cards, Optus Cards, Bigpond cards and Maxon cards all have different antenna cable connections.  We need to know the wireless card you are using to ship you the correct antenna fitting.
• Smaller movable  antennas come with either 5 metres or 10 metres of wiring.  If your boat requires a longer cable run, we have a special optional "low loss" cables for this that can be ordered at the time of purchase.
• Larger permanent fibreglass antennas require cable to be purchased by the metre.
• The antennas are tuned for 800-950Mhz frequencies.
• Different aircards cards have different external antenna fittings.  We supply ONE adapter fitting with each aerial.  You can order additional adapters for different aircards.  Any adapter will fit the antenna cable.
• Size equals performance!  In general, the longer the aerial the better the reception and transmission.
• Performance on sailing boats can be impaired by the list of the boat under sail.  Antenna performance is restored when the boat is at anchor.
• Antennas with cable runs over 10 metres can suffer loss of signal.  If your cable run is over 10 metres you will require a thicker "low loss" cable.  This is at additional expense.  (We will not sell you a system that only half works!!!!!)

Scenario 1:

Occasional recreational use of computer in more remote areas where the broadband card is marginal and user has  no general requirement for a longer external antenna. 

Recommendation: Purchase CD1225- best value small size 450mm high antenna.  Gain is 3 dbi.  This antenna can be disassembled for easy transport and stowage.  Works with all aircards except Minimax.  Bundled with both laptop bracket and desktop base.

Scenario 2:

Cabin cruisers or sailboats where a laptop is brought on board occasionally by a business person.  Boat is operating in fringe areas such as Pittwater or Broken Bay and operator wishes to have "the best possible business communications" on board. 

Recommendation 1: 

Purchase SW1496.  This is a  5 dbi antenna with a magnetic base.  Useful in temporary locations and will not blow over in the wind. This antenna requires a metal ground plane (such as a car roof) or metal ground plate for optimum radiation performance.   This antenna can be used without the ground plate, but performance will be reduced somewhat depending on the environmental conditions.  Bundled with the ground plate.  Can also be mounted to a car roof.

Recommendation 2:

Purchase CD1298.  This is a standalone 5dbi 450mm fibreglass rod antenna that mounts onto a boats structure using clamps or brackets.   Requires pole mount to suit which are available at chandleries.

Recommendation 3:  Purchase CD1250.  This 5 dbi antenna bundled with a desktop base.  Not suitable for laptop bracket.

Scenario 3:

Sailing boats or trawlers cruising near the coast:   CD1298 Permanent Mount 5 dbi Marine Antenna.  Mount as high up as possible.  Special cable and fittings for this antenna is sold by the metre at $8 metre complete.

Scenario 4:

Trawlers operating at sea well away from visual coast sightings: 

Recommendation: COL1799 (no photo, but similar to CD1298)

Almost 2 metres long but with 9 dbi of gain. (If installed on sailing boat under way, performance will reduce.  Most effective when boat at anchor or when antennae is in vertical position.  Special cable and fittings for this antenna is sold by the metre at $8 metre complete.

Hi Scott, Received antenna today plugged it in , increased the speed three times. Thanks for the good service, very happy.  Cheers Kelvin  Broadband antenna customer.   November 2006