Guide to Patch Leads

Guide to Patch Leads main image Guide to Patch Leads image

What is a patch lead?

Antenna cables tend to terminate with a standard connection, most commonly a female FME connector.

You will need a patch lead to plug an antenna into your mobile phone or wireless broadband modem - this is a short cable that acts as a conversion from the FME connector to the device-specific connector that will plug into your device.

In Australia, the most common plugs for wireless broadband dongles are TS9 (Sierra Wireless, ZTE) and CRC9 (Huawei).

 

Why do I need a patch lead?

If you need to connect your mobile phone to another device, such as a repeater or an external antenna, then you will typically need some way to connect the different interfaces. 

A patch lead is essentially an adaptor with a segment of low loss cable in between the connectors, which allows you to conveniently attach the two devices and start enjoying improved quality of service.

 

My phone doesn't have a port to plug in an external antenna, what can I do to improve reception?

You can still improve signal by using a cradle or passive patch lead.

This type of patch lead has a small pad containing a coil of wire, instead of a device connector, and uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to allow incoming signal to 'jump' from the pad to the phone's internal antenna.

View our selection of patch leads

 

FME Male Patch Lead