Installation and Operation:

On the previous page I mentioned that minimal effort is required in setting up the DataBlast YX550-VLTE-AWS. Once the hardware is in place things are extremely simple, but you do need to get everything installed first, which may require some effort and tools.

For my installation, I spent some time on the roof using my phone in order to confirm that the signal was adequate. I found that the signal was fairly strong by the chimney, which seemed like a good place to install the antenna. By using a tower locating app on my phone I was also aware that the nearest tower was located in this direction, so everything seemed perfect.

It also required climbing around the roof with a cordless drill / screwdriver to complete the installation, as well as some time spent running the coaxial cable neatly along the chimney all the way down the first floor where it enters the house. The image below shows my initial installation which is fairly unobtrusive from the ground or from inside the house.



What I found was that a statement in the manual about installing the antenna at least three feet above any metal was for real. While I could get data signal standing on the roof where the antenna was installed, the flashing and/or chimney cap were preventing any signal from being transmitted in to my house. I did not take a picture of the next installation effort, as it is not nearly as neat and it is temporary, but picture a five foot PVC pipe extending up from the bracket on the chimney, with the small DataBlast antenna affixed to the very top. While I am not pleased with the look of this temporary configuration, stepping back in to the house had me very pleased with the results.

The base unit was installed in the room directly below the sky light shown near the chimney in the previous image. With the antenna on the five foot PVC extension there is about twenty two feet between the antenna and the base, and Wi-Ex states that you need at least fifteen feet. The antenna connections were made, the unit was plugged in, and the green color of the status LED suggested that everything was good to go.