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This showed up on a neighbor's roof. Extra context in post. (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Nostalgia@lemmy.world to c/whatisthisthing@lemmy.world
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Fiber Internet and cable are included in mandatory HOA fees (yay HOAs) so this seems weird. No other homes in the area have anything like this. Also, I’m 99% sure this unit is a full time Airbnb if that might matter (and why I can’t just ask my neighbor wtf is on their roof). Did some reverse image searches and didn’t find a match, that 5G seemed closest to my untrained eye. I don’t like tech shit that I don’t know what the hell it is. Particularly when it’s aimed close to my house. TIA!

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[-] mp3@lemmy.ca 105 points 2 months ago

That indeed looks like a cell network antenna.

[-] henfredemars@infosec.pub 59 points 2 months ago

My friend is an RF expert and immediately said that's a cellular antenna, looks like LTE most probably but might support 5G.

[-] scsi@lemm.ee 46 points 2 months ago

It's a 4x4 MIMO, most likely LTE+5G; a service like T-Mobile Home Internet uses a hybrid design combining the two (B66 + n41 e.g.)

[-] neidu2@feddit.nl 16 points 2 months ago

I'm not an expert, but I've worked a lot with LTE antennae, and can confirm that your expert friend is not just pretending.

[-] Bangs42@lemmy.world 48 points 2 months ago

Like others have already said, looks like a cell network antenna. Maybe service sucks inside home, so they got a repeater/amplifier?

[-] mp3@lemmy.ca 24 points 2 months ago

Or if the home owner rents the place an an AirBnB and the cell coverage sucked, maybe he agreed to have an antenna installed at his home for a small income supplement from the carrier?

[-] Nostalgia@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago

AT&T reception is shit here for unknown reasons. Tmo and V strong. But maybe something here.

[-] jimmydoreisalefty@lemmy.world 35 points 2 months ago

Quick search:

  1. mobile phone communication tower transmission signal | | https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/mobile-phone-communication-tower-transmission-signal-667057696
  2. mobile phone antenna telecommunication tower clouds | | https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/mobile-phone-antenna-telecommunication-tower-clouds-1102470173
  3. HW-SA24-12-180-NF - 2.4GHz 12 dBi Panel Antenna | | https://www.amazon.com/Hana-Wireless-HW-SA24-12-180-NF-2-4GHz-Antenna/dp/B00JMOZL7M
  4. AISD-WiFi-Towers | | https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/digital-inclusion-grant-applications-open-for-austin-area-nonprofits/
  5. Panel antenna of GSM DCS UMTS LTE bands and outdoor remote radio unit are as part of communication equipment of basic station are installed on the tubular mast on the roof | | https://stock.adobe.com/images/panel-antenna-of-gsm-dcs-umts-lte-bands-and-outdoor-remote-radio-unit-are-as-part-of-communication-equipment-of-basic-station-are-installed-on-the-tubular-mast-on-the-roof/238432694
[-] rollmagma@lemmy.world 23 points 2 months ago

Please don't get this guy in trouble just because he put some shit on his roof.

[-] Nostalgia@lemmy.world 13 points 2 months ago

Not my intention in the slightest. I’m generally a mind my own business dude, and supportive of people doing whatever they want with their stuff. This thing though happens to be aimed in my general direction, which also isn’t a problem, but I don’t like not knowing what the heck it is.

[-] Fubarberry@sopuli.xyz 18 points 2 months ago

Looks a lot like this LTE Mimo cell antenna, although with an extra set of plugs on the bottom.

https://www.dipolnet.com/lte_mimo_antenna_trans-data_lte_kpz_8-8_A741023.htm

[-] 01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 9 points 2 months ago

Dual LTE and 5G, maybe?

[-] three@lemmy.world 17 points 2 months ago

https://www.antennasearch.com/

See if its pointing at a tower.

[-] MrPoopyButthole@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago

This is a client access sector. Not a point to point carrier link from a tower. It will be aimed towards the people with devices and it will spread out its signal in 180 degree or less angle.

[-] brbposting@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

You’ve just assigned me a little field trip! Thanks :)

[-] jimmydoreisalefty@lemmy.world -4 points 2 months ago

Awesome!

Thanks for sharing the link!

[-] 5opn0o30@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago

There’s a crypto that pays for cell coverage called Helium. Maybe it’s that.

[-] qbus@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

I vote for this reality

[-] TragicNotCute@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Doesn’t look like it, and Helium doesn’t use cell service, it’s all LoRa based.

this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2024
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