MOBILE ANTENNA SYSTEM RECORD
Yenra | Updated October 9, 2026
Guide: https://yenra.com/mobile-antennas/

Purpose: plan compatible external antennas for a mobile router and record
repeatable observations. Follow exact router/antenna installation manuals.
This worksheet is not an installation approval or a coverage prediction.

EQUIPMENT
Router model / modem variant / firmware:
Carrier and required bands:
Antenna model and part number:
Manual/data-sheet URLs, revisions, and dates checked:
Installer/supplier questions and written answers:

PORT MAP (repeat a row for every lead)
Radio function: cellular / Wi-Fi / GNSS / other:
Router port name and documented function:
Antenna lead label and corresponding element:
Frequency range and MIMO pair/port assignment:
Connector family and center-contact type at both ends:
Active/passive GNSS and required supply ratings if applicable:
Compatibility verified by / date:

CABLE AND LOSS (record each operating frequency separately)
Frequency and units (MHz/GHz):
Antenna gain in dBi for the relevant direction/polarization:
Does the stated gain already include this cable? yes/no/unknown:
Cable type / length in meters / documented loss in dB at that frequency:
Additional adapter/connector loss in dB:
Effective one-path gain if cable excluded = gain - cable loss - other loss:
Do not subtract a cable loss twice. Unknown values stay unknown.

Fictional bookkeeping only:
A: 5 dBi - 3 dB - 0.5 dB = 1.5 dBi.
B: 3 dBi - 1 dB - 0.5 dB = 1.5 dBi.
Equal arithmetic does not establish equal patterns, compatibility, coverage,
or throughput. This is not a complete link budget.

INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS TO RESOLVE WITH MANUALS/INSTALLER
Ground plane and mounting surface:
Orientation, spacing, and model-specific separation requirements:
Allowed antenna gain / relevant approvals:
Cable route, bend limits, weather sealing, and strain relief:
Environmental rating and vehicle constraints:
Required shutdown/handling procedure before connection changes:
Unresolved issues (resolve before installing):

CONTROLLED COMPARISON
Configuration A and B, with exactly what changed:
Stationary location, vehicle orientation, date/time:
Connected band/cell where available:
Signal-strength/quality metric names, values, and units:
Same modest application task and result:
Repeat observations at other relevant times:
Other changes or possible confounders (network load, cell selection):
Conclusion limited to observations / follow-up support question:

Manufacturer reference examples (use your equipment's actual manuals):
https://docs.cradlepoint.com/r/Cradlepoint-Antenna-Reference-Guide/Antenna-Performance
https://docs.cradlepoint.com/r/Cradlepoint-Antenna-Reference-Guide/Cables-and-Ports
https://docs.cradlepoint.com/r/Vehicle-Installation-Guide-for-COR-Series-Mobile-Routers/Step-4-Connect-the-Antennas