E1820 External Antenna Connector

[Jola]

I've heard that the E1820 has an external antenna connector - can anyone confirm this ?

Mod note:
Forum members are not reporting an increase in signal strength or transfer speeds using the E1820's external antenna connector.
Cell-C's network department recommend the Poynting ADPT-026 Inductive Coupler for the E1820, see this post.

[morkhans]

I've heard that the E1820 has an external antenna connector - can anyone confirm this ?

It does.

[1geoff99]

I've heard that the E1820 has an external antenna connector - can anyone confirm this ?

Yes, it does, but note the following. The external antenna is only an auxiliary antenna for diversity. This means it should improve reception, but the modem will still only report signal strength as seen by the main internal antenna.

[morkhans]

Yes, it does, but note the following. The external antenna is only an auxiliary antenna for diversity. This means it should improve reception, but the modem will still only report signal strength as seen by the main internal antenna.

Interesting, where did you find this information? Link?

[1geoff99]

Interesting, where did you find this information? Link?

http://3g-modem.wetpaint.com/page/Hu...+(E1820,+E1823)

Also, this is how it works from my experience since I own one.

[morkhans]

http://3g-modem.wetpaint.com/page/Hu...+(E1820,+E1823)

Also, this is how it works from my experience since I own one.

Something wrong with your link. This one should work: http://3g-modem.wetpaint.com/page/Hu...20%2C+E1823%29

connector for ext. antenna: + (only as auxiliary antenna for diversity!)
connector type: CRC9

[RVD]

The K4505-z also has the external antenna connection. (Ginggs posted a pic somewhere earlier).

Yes, it does, but note the following. The external antenna is only an auxiliary antenna for diversity. This means it should improve reception, but the modem will still only report signal strength as seen by the main internal antenna.

Sorry for the NOOB question, but does this mean that an antenna attached to the external connector will NOT improve download speeds?
Found this http://www.sotel.de/antenne-fuer-vod...tml?language=e
Want to know if it is worthwhile investing in one?

[ginggs]

Yes, it does, but note the following. The external antenna is only an auxiliary antenna for diversity. This means it should improve reception, but the modem will still only report signal strength as seen by the main internal antenna.

Interesting info, thanks. What antenna and pigtail connector are you using?

I tried with the pigtail from my Huawei E620, which I believe is a CAB-038, and I didn't see any change in the signal strength. It didn't "click" in like it did on the E620, so I assumed I didn't have the right pigtail.

Some more info on this from the Huawei Technical Forum.

[1geoff99]

Interesting info, thanks. What antenna and pigtail connector are you using?

I tried with the pigtail from my Huawei E620, which I believe is a CAB-038, and I didn't see any change in the signal strength. It didn't "click" in like it did on the E620, so I assumed I didn't have the right pigtail.

Some more info on this from the Huawei Technical Forum.

This is what I'm using...
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/26355...ng_signal.html

I definitely get improved speeds with the antenna plugged in. Note that your reported signal strength does not change when you use an external antenna for the E1820 (I suppose because the external antenna is auxiliary).

e.g. antenna plugged in: 733 kB/s down*
antenna unplugged: 468 kB/s down*
Upload speeds are also better.

*Average from 5 consecutive tests.

[1geoff99]

This is what I'm using...
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/26355...ng_signal.html

I definitely get improved speeds with the antenna plugged in. Note that your reported signal strength does not change when you use an external antenna for the E1820 (I suppose because the external antenna is auxiliary).

e.g. antenna plugged in: 733 kB/s down*
antenna unplugged: 468 kB/s down*
Upload speeds are also better.

*Average from 5 consecutive tests.

I can't reproduce the above test results so I now consider the E1820 antenna connector to be non-functional.

[ginggs]

I can't reproduce the above test results so I now consider the E1820 antenna connector to be non-functional.

Thanks for your feedback.

@Cell_C: What is the official answer on this?

[wndrbees]

I have set up a circular patch antenna with the position optimized with respect to signal strength (carried out with ADPT-026).

The pigtails tested where:
ADPT-026: http://www.poyntingdirect.co.za/pADP...ms---SMAf.aspx
CAB-038: http://www.poyntingdirect.co.za/pCAB...I-3G-Card.aspx

I can conclusively say that the CAB-038 pigtail is doing nothing for the signal and the download speed.

Initially the modem is placed in an 3G deadzone:
ADPT-026: -79dBm signal / around 5Mpps DL / 2Mpps UL / 110ms latency
CAB-038: No signal, cannot connect

Next I placed the modem in my window where I pick up a bit of 3G signal:
No connector: -99dBm signal / 0.4 Mpbs DL / 400ms latency (Speedtest freezed at UL)
CAB-038: -101 dBm signal / 0.3Mpbs DL / 380ms latency (Speedtest freezed at UL)
The connection was un-browseable and I have to force it back on 3G numerous times when it automatically switches to EDGE.

A pity I could not get upload speeds on the last location. I did try a couple of times but due to the bad connection many times I could not even run the speedtest and these where about the only tests where I got any results.

Thanks to Ginggs for lending me his CAB-038 for conducting this test with.

[Jola]

Thanks for these tests, pity that the external connector doesn't work better.

[Zaffer]

Hi

I went from no connection (only EDGE) to a stable 5mb/s 3G link.

First, you need to have at least some 3G reception. This in my case was always close to a window. The blue light (green=EDGE / Blue = 3G) on my E1820 use to flick once or twice and sometimes I even got a 3G connection for a minute or two but it always changed to EDGE after a while. The 3G (when I got it) gave me about 1-2mb/s download speed. Not good.

Step 1:
I purchased an usb extension. This helped a bit because your laptop’s communication interferes with the modem (if the signal is weak like in my case). I use the usb extention to get my modem 1-2m away from the laptop.

Step 2:
I then connected the CellC modem to the old TV antennae on the roof of the house (yes, that old TV's antennae that was replaced by a dish).
It was very easy. I purchased one of the small antennas mentioned above by 1geoff99. The small external antenna did not provide a great improvement but did help a little (or so it appeared). I then got the idea from someone to cut the cut the wire of the small antenna and use it to link the 3G modem to my old antennae on the roof. I’m not technical at all but this is simple since you connect only two wires.

The effect is great. I have more than a 100% improvement on performance and my 3G never drops which happened often previously. I now get a great stable connection with an average download of about 5mb/s .

My end product: an antennae on the roof that is connected to a CellC modem that is in a usb extension that plugs into a Sitecom 3G ready router (WL326) purchased from Incredible Connection. So my house has wireless internet.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/992053675.png

Hope this helps someone.

[1geoff99]

The effect is great. I have more than a 100% improvement on performance and my 3G never drops which happened often previously. I now get a great stable connection with an average download of about 5mb/s .

This is interesting because you seemed to have got the external antenna connector to work.