vB Easy Archive - yagi antenna and coax signal loss???

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yagi antenna and coax signal loss???
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Posted by: coyotefred

Hello!

I'm trying to improve the reception of my cellphone (LG LX5450) on the alltel network in northwest Nebraska to a remote cabin. Within the cabin itself I can only get weak analog reception with frequent call drops. 'Hike up a nearby hill about 200 feet from the cabin, however, and I can a very strong digital signal.

On those days I don't want to hike the hill

, I'd like to improve reception within the cabin. I'm planning on buying one of those yagi antennas, which I've read good things about. First question is size/cost. A 20" yagi (12db gain) runs about $70. Other available sizes include 40" (24db) for $100 and 60" (36db) for $130. I'd prefer to have the smallest antenna possible since they aren't the most attractive things in the world to have sticking off your cabin. But I guess under the circumstances it would probably make sense to just spend the extra $60 since it's better to have more gain even though you might not need it.

In any case, the more important question is location. I have no idea whether a yagi mounted on the cabin roof would be good enough. When I stand up there (on the roof) with the phone now I get a slightly improved signal compared to inside the cabin, but still not reliable. Or should I mount the yagi up that hill aways and make a long run of coax to the cabin? The antenna location would obviously be better, but would I lose what I've gained as far as signal loss by the long coax run? The run would probably end up being 150-200' or so.

'Any thoughts/advice appreciated!