Blouberg Area and E220 Settings

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OmniMo

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Hi there,

I have a USB (E 220) modem which I use to connect to Vodacom, which was set up and firmware, etc., updated at the 3G shop in Tableview (Friendly service) – worked fine there.

However, in the Big Bay area in Blouberg, I can only get a connection to the GPRS network and only when device options are set accordingly. I pick up a 3G signal, but no connection possible – only getting the ‘619’ error message.

POINT IS – even if I have the settings at ‘GPRS only’, it intermittently still picks up and reflects on ‘Main View’ the 3G Network, and then everything comes to a complete standstill and will not find any connection/network again, until disconnected and then stuck in again. So the GPRS connection is effectively also rendered useless. This I explained to the guy in the 3G shop and he set it up accordingly, as far as his knowledge goes, obviously.

And has anyone installed an external antenna in this area - results, who to contact, please?

Struggling here, please help:o
 
First, make sure you are on the coverage map. Then move on to the rest of the steps.

Have you tried checking the signal in different parts of you home (providing you have a notebook)? Take a look at the MDMA tool (sticky in the MTN forum) it will give you a nice signal strength reading while you move about your house. Also try standing outside and doing a test there.

There is a coupling device for the E220 that poynting make that will allow for an external antenna.
 
E220 and coverage monitor

Thanks, will try that. Also found the Poynting details for Montague shop, going there. 'Appreciated.
 
MDMA READINGS?

Dear Morkhans,

Your advice re the MDMA refers, tested the area from where I work and got between 97 and 103 readings on 3G, around 79 if set to GPRS/Edge only.

But cannot get a connection to the 3G service, at all. GPRS, yes connects, but loses signal all the time. Checking my phone (SE P1i), also shows signal coming and going.

I have no idea what the norms for signals are, although the Vodacom Mobile Connect message states that the GPRS signal received is 'Good', not sure that it is a valid indication if it keeps crashing.

Incidentally, if I use the same set of equipment (Laptop and E 220) in a good receptions, there are no issues - they run nicely and no hassles at all. Sitting in coffee shops/bars just becoming expensive:D

So, is it just a bad reception area?, any advice/comment appreciated.
 
OmniMo said:
Dear Morkhans,

Your advice re the MDMA refers, tested the area from where I work and got between 97 and 103 readings on 3G, around 79 if set to GPRS/Edge only.

But cannot get a connection to the 3G service, at all. GPRS, yes connects, but loses signal all the time. Checking my phone (SE P1i), also shows signal coming and going.

I have no idea what the norms for signals are, although the Vodacom Mobile Connect message states that the GPRS signal received is 'Good', not sure that it is a valid indication if it keeps crashing.

Incidentally, if I use the same set of equipment (Laptop and E 220) in a good receptions, there are no issues - they run nicely and no hassles at all. Sitting in coffee shops/bars just becoming expensive:D

So, is it just a bad reception area?, any advice/comment appreciated.
Click to expand...

103-97 does not sound that great. Have you checked the signal outside and in other parts of the house? Checking outside will help you determine if getting the external antenna will make a difference. You might be in a patchy area or your environment is messing with your signal.

Depending on what testing outside gives you you can then either go with the antenna or get v3g involved by getting some of the Vodacom radio guys out to your location for some further testing.

Edit: Moving around your house does make a difference. Depending on where I stand in my flat I get signal from different towers. When I recently moved to my new spot I also walked around with my notebook and MDMA to find the best spot. As Saule pointed out being close to a Window does help. In my case I have the small antenna that shipped with the E630 stuck to the window to give me the extra few dB I need.
 
Last edited:
Moving around for signal

Thanks, but I have now moved around outside as well, to check readings - and their is no real difference at all.

I have bought the 5m USB cable too, and the best spot on readings is actually precisely where I sit and work anyway - right next to a big door, as well as a whole glass area leading to the 'stoep'.

'Not sure if it is relevant, but whilst the MDMD shows a reading for a 3G service, my phone has not once displayed the 3G icon whilst here.

However, about 150-200 m down the track, and both ways - it shows the 3G icon. Incidentally, I get fine reception on the laptop/modem there.

Now, and referring to your mention of the V3G radio guys - I drew a blank from the 3G shop when I inquired about this earlier, what are the options?

I think it could good business for Vodacom to sort this complex, everyone is complaining and there are about 500 - 800 people affected, the biggish townhouse/apartment complexes involved.

Poynting antenna, another chap here has fitted one - still sits with Edge only, although more stable.
 
Three complexes involved

Sorry - I should have written 'three complexes' and the 'the' is a typo.:o
 
OmniMo said:
Hi there,

I have a USB (E 220) modem which I use to connect to Vodacom, which was set up and firmware, etc., updated at the 3G shop in Tableview (Friendly service) – worked fine there.

However, in the Big Bay area in Blouberg, I can only get a connection to the GPRS network and only when device options are set accordingly. I pick up a 3G signal, but no connection possible – only getting the ‘619’ error message.

POINT IS – even if I have the settings at ‘GPRS only’, it intermittently still picks up and reflects on ‘Main View’ the 3G Network, and then everything comes to a complete standstill and will not find any connection/network again, until disconnected and then stuck in again. So the GPRS connection is effectively also rendered useless. This I explained to the guy in the 3G shop and he set it up accordingly, as far as his knowledge goes, obviously.

And has anyone installed an external antenna in this area - results, who to contact, please?

Struggling here, please help:o
Click to expand...

Big Bay is a big problem for us w.r.t. coverage. All attempts to put up towers are being blocked, so the closest 3G point is on the high-rise block of flats (AFAIK).

Probably your best bet would be to try a high-gain external antenna.
 
vodacom3g said:
Big Bay is a big problem for us w.r.t. coverage. All attempts to put up towers are being blocked, so the closest 3G point is on the high-rise block of flats (AFAIK).

Probably your best bet would be to try a high-gain external antenna.
Click to expand...

Yes I know that block. It's on your left when you enter big bay and you see the post(sign) that says big bay.

OmniMo: Looks like you will have to chat to poynting and get yourself an antenna.
 
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