A DIY solution for 3g signal strength

[JP_Strydom]

Hey

I am very new at forums and also not an IT techi...
I am looking for a DIY solution (I'm a student, so cheap is always best) to improve the 3G signal at home.
I have googled and read through every "smart" home made remedy but none of them are applicable to me...why do you ask?because none of the solutions help me with an INTERNAL MODEM!

I have a Dell XPS L501x laptop with a 5540 HSPA mini-card with a data plan from Vodacom (64-bit sim card)...what i can tell, everything works FINE, except I am not happy with the signal strength, upload and downloading speeds that I get (I only get 2g most of the time or very (I mean very) weak 3g once in a blue moon)...

Is there anyone out there that can help me in this regard, I will greatly appreciate it.

PS...sorry if my technical jargon is incorrect but I am trying, haha

 

[sajunky]

Not for internal modem. Climb to the roof or drive away or just not use it!

Borrow standard USB modem, it might work better. Short USB cable or self-powered USB 2.0 hub allows to reposition modem to pickup stronger signal. If not satisfactory, look for modem with external antenna connector.

 

[guest2013-1]

Those cards usually have the ability for you to attach an antennae to via a small cable that plugs into it. Have you actually gone to a Vodacom shop and asked them about it? Years ago when the Vodacom smartcard thingy came out for laptops and everyone was using it, they could buy something that clipped on their laptop screens (this was the antenna) which boosts the signal quite efficiently. Almost looks like those flat-iron stuff women use to get straight hair

 

[JimM]

Because you get a 2G Vodacom signal, using Cell-C which is 900MHz would have given you a quick solution if you were on pre-pay!

Look at the designs which include passive coupling. You will need to ascertain the location of the HSPA antenna within the laptop for accurate positioning.

I once made up an external antenna from one of the old grid style TV antennas. The wavelengths of the folded dipole are going to be pretty small, use the formula: Wavelength = 300000 divided by the used frequency. Dipoles are normally half the wavelength so halve your result. Uplink on Vodacom 3G is 1920 - 1980 MHz and downlink is 2110 - 2170 MHz so your ideal centre frequency is 2100MHz.

The passive coupling to your PC internal modem should be by a loop of wire cut using the same formula.

For moderate cables runs under 6 meters satellite TV co-axial cable is OK.

Tools required: Ruler, Hacksaw, Screwdriver and Band Aids!!

To save the calculator batteries: http://www.calculatoredge.com/chemical/freq n wavelength.htm