Boosting a signal

[Fenwick]

Hi. I have just moved to a new house outside Somerset West. It is really stunning but in a sort of a dip next to a river, and I don't get a signal in the house itself. I do get an excellent signal perched on the roof. Despite the fact that I own a very good umbrella, this does have its limitations and I sure miss my HSDPA connection.

Anyone got any suggestions on good hardware to take a signal from an antenna on the roof and create a bubble in my house. Thanks.

 

[brad]

Fenwick,

Have a look at http://www.mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=31986 or PM Vodacom3g.

 

[Fenwick]

Thanks, I will look at that thread. By the way I am looking for an antenna plus a wireless transmitter thing that can create a bubble in the whole house, or at least a large part of it, for both cellphone and HSDPA connection.

 

[vodacom3g]

Yes, you're best bet is a high-gain antenna mounted outside. Should give you around 15dB gain. (7 from the antenna + 8 for being outdoors)

Another option is to mount a 3G router in your ceiling and attach to it via WiFi.

I've seen people do both, WiFi router mounted high up + external antenna with short cable run to router.

 

[Syndyre]

Thanks, I will look at that thread. By the way I am looking for an antenna plus a wireless transmitter thing that can create a bubble in the whole house, or at least a large part of it, for both cellphone and HSDPA connection.

I can't find the thread now but somebody posted a while ago about GSM repeaters, something like this:

http://www.wtw.jp/tu-GSM.htm

Don't know what's available locally though.

 

[brad]

I can't find the thread now but somebody posted a while ago about GSM repeaters, something like this:

http://www.wtw.jp/tu-GSM.htm

Don't know what's available locally though.

Syndre,

As these devices transmit and receive on the GSM bands, and only the networks have licences for these bands, it is not legal for an individual to purchase this sort of unit in South Africa.

 

[Syndyre]

Syndre,

As these devices transmit and receive on the GSM bands, and only the networks have licences for these bands, it is not legal for an individual to purchase this sort of unit in South Africa.

Ok so its illegal even though they operate at such low power?

 

[Boodles]

also, upgrade your firmware, worked for me when i had the same problem.

Also as a side issue, these antennas, how safe are these things to have around your house? These things magnify/boost/concentrate, the reception - wont they semi-fry your brain?

 

[ic]

...
Also as a side issue, these antennas, how safe are these things to have around your house? These things magnify/boost/concentrate, the reception - wont they semi-fry your brain?

I don't have an outdoors antenna [other than TV reception aerials], so I assume that everyone who had an outdoors antenna must be brain-dead by now...IOW I seriously doubt it, but give it a few years or so .

 

[aviator]

Also as a side issue, these antennas, how safe are these things to have around your house? These things magnify/boost/concentrate, the reception - wont they semi-fry your brain?

Boodles,
As with any high gain antenna, I would agree it would not be a great idea to put the high gain antenna in the same room as you where it would be pointing directly at you. On a yagi type antenna, the signal transmitted off the sides and back of the antenna are very low. If the antenna is installed as it is intended (on a pole outside), the level from that antenna at your operating position is likely to be far lower than the level out of your cellphone while held against your ear. Also, another advantage of the outside antenna is that in most mobile networks, as the signal strength improves, the mobile is intelligent and reduces it's transmit power level.

So I would say that there is nothing to worry about if it is correctly installed.

 

[atomcrusher]

I can't find the thread now but somebody posted a while ago about GSM repeaters, something like this:

http://www.wtw.jp/tu-GSM.htm

Don't know what's available locally though.

Here's a thread I started on GSM / 3G repeaters ....

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=56704