External antenna discussions

Suggestions please?

I want to improve my signal but have no line of site (amongst concrete walls). I get about -85 to -90dBm.

I Would like a movable omni indoor/window antenna as I might not rent for a long time and also don't want to beg the body corporate to allow the antenna...

I have tired moving the modem with a usb extension cable, but it doesn't seem to improve my signal.

Any suggestions?
 
Park@82 said:
I want to improve my signal but have no line of site (amongst concrete walls). I get about -85 to -90dBm.

I Would like a movable omni indoor/window antenna as I might not rent for a long time and also don't want to beg the body corporate to allow the antenna...

I have tired moving the modem with a usb extension cable, but it doesn't seem to improve my signal.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I'm still very happy with the corner reflector solution.
 
Can anybody tell me where I can buy the correct/most recommended booster for the Cell C speedstick (black model). At the moment I'm hitting about 1-2 Mbps download but like 0.3-0.8 upload so I am will to invest in one. Cell C told me that specifically the direction of my house makes a difference as their signal tower is located a fair bit behind me and they are "still upgrading" the infrastructure in front of me.. I'm hoping the antenna will pick up better signal behind me.
 
jelleman said:
Can anybody tell me where I can buy the correct/most recommended booster for the Cell C speedstick (black model). At the moment I'm hitting about 1-2 Mbps download but like 0.3-0.8 upload so I am will to invest in one. Cell C told me that specifically the direction of my house makes a difference as their signal tower is located a fair bit behind me and they are "still upgrading" the infrastructure in front of me.. I'm hoping the antenna will pick up better signal behind me.
Click to expand...

check out the Poynting website. You want their "adaptive coupler" a rubber sleeve that slips over the modem like a short condom I suppose.

You also need the appropriate antenna and mast, which they sell and can recommend an installer.


EDIT: SEE Ginggs post above. The correct part name is: Poynting ADPT-026 (Inductive Coupler): -71dBm
 
hi all

i am back with some results. after installing the high gain antenna i can CONFIRM that it definately DOES work :-)

i had a previous RSSI of around -97. after installing and pointing the antenna North towards a tower i could see closeby, it dropped down to -83. i then carried on playing around and i could see a tower South East of my position but around 10km away or so. I am now pointing it there and getting, wait for it, -65 :-) you dont know how happy i am now.

my previous speedtest results were unspeakable, (all sub 1Mbps) but did have times where i had 10Mbps. if you guys do want better signal you definately need to buy this antenna as you can see from the speed test results i'm posting. i'm averaging 10Mbps everytime and i had 1 peak at 16Mbps :-) which i unfortunately forgot to copy.

let me know if you need any details.


http://www.speedtest.net/result/1368042685.png 17:35 2-7-11 10Mbps

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1368045173.png 17:37 2-7-11 11Mbps

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1368046309.png 17:40 2-7-11 14Mbps

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1369143825.png 14:55 3-7-11 9Mbps

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1369145012.png 14:57 3-7-11 10Mbps

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1369145962.png 15:00 3-7-11 10Mbps

BTW, i use my modem connected to a Netgear MBRN3000 router so we can have wireless access throughout the house. i found that if the modem is plugged directly into the usb port of the pc and MDMA is used then my RSSI goes to -69 as opposed to the -65 i get plugged into the router. strange. i have had the router/modem plugged in and online now since yesterday morning and havent had a single dropped connection.

latest test 15:15 3-7-11 15 Mbps http://www.speedtest.net/result/1369166607.png

sorry to keep editing, 19,75 Mbps :-) go go power rangers :-) lol.. http://www.speedtest.net/result/1369170518.png

17.83Mbps http://www.speedtest.net/result/1369172229.png
 
Last edited:
Help to boost signal please.

Hello.

I'm asking for help to boost the Cell C signal in a rural area (using a Cell C USB stick).

I've already read a lot of posts but don't see the solution because I can't install some sort of antenna to the roof here.

I'd like to know if there is some sort of other solution that can be used indoors.
(So far on the forum I only saw a thread about a `corner reflector' that may help).

I ran a speedtest.net and here are the results (pathetic!) -
ping jhb server 278ms
d/l speed 0.18mbps
u/l 0.05mbps

It seems to only connect on Edge and I require a better signal, thanks for your help.
 
Either install an antenna or try to get the modem as high off the ground as possible. No other solution really...
 
And out of the antenna listed in that url, which one do you recommend is the best?

And must one get an adapter cable as well - looks like it.

One other question - it says to point the antenna in the direction of the tower. If one doesn't know the direction of the tower I take it one should just try different directions to see which gives the best signal?

And I see that on one of their reviews a guy said he just put the antenna on his desk and that worked.

Cheers.
 
You must first check what the 3G signal is in your area if any. For that, put your UMTS 900 capable phone or modem on 3G only and slowly walk around the building. If you don't even get 1 bar, then getting an antenna would probably not help.
 
As far as I know I don't have a UMTS 900 capable phone - is there any other way to check if there is a 3G signal in the area?

If there is only Edge, then won't an antenna boost that signal making it a bit faster?
And how fast does Edge go anyway?

Thanks.
 
broadone said:
As far as I know I don't have a UMTS 900 capable phone - is there any other way to check if there is a 3G signal in the area?

If there is only Edge, then won't an antenna boost that signal making it a bit faster?
And how fast does Edge go anyway?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Where are you located? You don't have to give gps coordinates ;)

Borrow someone's laptop and use that with the modem set to 3G only.

EDGE, at least AFAIK in SA, can go up to 220 kbit/sec. You can choose to either use Cell C or roam on Vodacom when there is no Cell C 3G signal available. There is no cost difference to you.

(In Kleinmond e.g. I get much better performance with Cell C roaming on Vodacom's EDGE than with Cell C - my speed regularly reached 200 kbit/sec when I was there on vacation recently. I did 660 MB in 6 days - streaming audio and browsing only.)
 
broadone said:
Hello.

I'm asking for help to boost the Cell C signal in a rural area (using a Cell C USB stick).

snip

It seems to only connect on Edge and I require a better signal, thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

It looks like you've already identified your problem, CellC coverage in rural areas is not great (none of the other providers are much better) when it come to 3G or HSPA etc. Chances are that you will only get Edge at best on CellC roaming.

Have you checked CellC's coverage map for your area?
 
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