3G Antenna

[Viva]

I'm using a ZTE MF190 3G modem with CellC to connect to the internet. My connection is very slow and unstable during the day and most of the time I force EDGE just to stop it from disconnecting every minute. However, around midnight every day the 3G works without problems - I've seen download speeds of up to 150kBps.

3G signal strength: around -99dBm, sometime as bad as -105dBm
EDGE signal strength: around -87dBm, sometimes as good as -83dBm

Now my speedstick works excellent elsewhere in Stellenbosch so it's obviously my location that's the problem. Someone told me that as more people start using a specific tower (during the day), the coverage radius shrinks. Can anyone confirm this? This would explain my issue - I'm obviously somewhere on the border of good coverage, right?

Now I've done some research and an external antenna seems to be the best solution. I would have liked something like this High Gain Antenna (LPDA-A002) from Poynting, but I'm not keen on spending that much. I'm also renting where I stay so I'd like to avoid having to mount an antenna.

I then came across this GSM Blade Antenna, also from Poynting, but I'm not sure if this is actually a 3G antenna. Is a small antenna like this worth anything at all?

Last thing, my 3G dongle doesn't have a connector for an antenna. Do these Universal adapters work alright?

Thanks for any input!

 

[1geoff99]

I'm using a ZTE MF190 3G modem with CellC to connect to the internet. My connection is very slow and unstable during the day and most of the time I force EDGE just to stop it from disconnecting every minute. However, around midnight every day the 3G works without problems - I've seen download speeds of up to 150kBps.

3G signal strength: around -99dBm, sometime as bad as -105dBm
EDGE signal strength: around -87dBm, sometimes as good as -83dBm

Now my speedstick works excellent elsewhere in Stellenbosch so it's obviously my location that's the problem. Someone told me that as more people start using a specific tower (during the day), the coverage radius shrinks. Can anyone confirm this? This would explain my issue - I'm obviously somewhere on the border of good coverage, right?

Now I've done some research and an external antenna seems to be the best solution. I would have liked something like this High Gain Antenna (LPDA-A002) from Poynting, but I'm not keen on spending that much. I'm also renting where I stay so I'd like to avoid having to mount an antenna.

I then came across this GSM Blade Antenna, also from Poynting, but I'm not sure if this is actually a 3G antenna. Is a small antenna like this worth anything at all?

Last thing, my 3G dongle doesn't have a connector for an antenna. Do these Universal adapters work alright?

Thanks for any input!

Don't waste your money on a small antenna, they don't work very well at all. The universal adapters do work, but there is a coupling loss, so you need a high gain antenna in a good location to compensate.

This is probably the cheapest combination you will be able to get away with:

http://www.poyntingdirect.co.za/pADPT-026/Adapter-cable-for-all-USB-Modems---SMAf.aspx
http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.p...d=662&osCsid=eff481d5116e3c0251e3b1212d0f346a

Or you could try this.

Another possibility is to purchase a 5m active USB extension cable. You should then be able to position the modem more easily for better reception. http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=155_156&products_id=12495 or http://www.ngrcomputers.co.za/aten-ue250-extender-cable-p-5348.html

 

[Viva]

Or you could try this.

I'm currently looking into the corner reflector. It looks promising!

Another possibility is to purchase a 5m active USB extension cable. You might then be able to position the modem more easily for better reception. http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=155_156&products_id=12495 or http://www.ngrcomputers.co.za/aten-ue250-extender-cable-p-5348.html

I was actually on my way to the mall to go get a longer USB extension cable for the corner reflector (3m or 5m) when I read your post. Is a normal USB extension cable not sufficient? Do you know of any physical shops that sell active USB extension cables?

 

[1geoff99]

I was actually on my way to the mall to go get a longer USB extension cable for the corner reflector (3m or 5m) when I read your post. Is a normal USB extension cable not sufficient? Do you know of any physical shops that sell active USB extension cables?

I believe ZAKspeed sells active USB cables. They have branches in Goodwood and Kenilworth. http://www.zakspeed.co.za/_Uploads/products/COMP5mUSB_A-A_ACTIVE_EXT_CABLE_5M_1245/Default.aspx

I don't know if a 3-5m non-active cable will work or not. It may depend on the quality of the cable. I can however say that when I tried a normal 1m extension cable, it didn't work properly, but an active 5m extension did work.

 

[Viva]

I don't know if a 3-5m non-active cable will work or not. It may depend on the quality of the cable. I can however say that when I tried a normal 1m extension cable, it didn't work properly, but an active 5m extension did work.

I have a normal 1m non-active cable that works fine and a 1.8m cable which doesn't work. So it looks like an active cable is the only way to go as I need 3m at the very least.

My corner reflector is nearly done (I ran out of foil), but already I see a 12dBm increase in quality. I'm at a different location now:

without corner reflector: -73dBm
with (half finished) corner reflector: -61dBm

Really nice

 

[kikirfsupplier]

I have a normal 1m non-active cable that works fine and a 1.8m cable which doesn't work. So it looks like an active cable is the only way to go as I need 3m at the very least.

My corner reflector is nearly done (I ran out of foil), but already I see a 12dBm increase in quality. I'm at a different location now:

without corner reflector: -73dBm
with (half finished) corner reflector: -61dBm

Really nice

Why not use the pigtails with rf coax connector to connect with antenna?
The cables can be customized to any length.

 

[sajunky]

Why not use the pigtails with rf coax connector to connect with antenna?
The cables can be customized to any length.

I think if you were understanding how corner reflector works, you wouldn't ask such a question.
Why it is called corner reflector, not a "corner antenna"? - just giving a clue...

 

[kikirfsupplier]

I think if you were understanding how corner reflector works, you wouldn't ask such a question.
Why it is called corner reflector, not a "corner antenna"? - just giving a clue...

Thank you ,you should be right!,me-not expert--.