External antenna for the MTN DSPA card

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zaphod

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External antenna for the MTN HSDPA card

I got my Huawei E620 card on the 11th of May.

I have a very weak 3G/HSDPA signal.
The problem is that if I set the card's setting to "3G Preferred", it switches to GPRS/EDGE.

The problem was temporally solved when I connected a small external antenna to the card. The signal strength is still weak (between 0 and 1 bar), but now at least it locks onto the 3G/HSDPA signal. I managed to get speeds between 400 kbit/s to 1.4 Mbits/s.

The antenna was borrowed from a colleague of mine who got his antenna with his Vodafone card from Vodacom. This is also a Huawei E620 card. But, my colleague wants his antenna back. :o

I phoned the MTN shop and asked them where I buy such an antenna. What is really pathetic is that MTN cannot help met with an antenna like this, and do not know where I can get one.

I phone the local branch of Huawei in Woodmead and asked them about the antenna. The told me that the do not keep stock and MTN and Vodacom cards are packaged in China and are shipped directly to MTN or Vodacom SA.

The person at Huawei said he cannot understand how MTN can order their cards without the antenna.
He said I must contact MTN and asked them to contact MTN head office and insist that they must order antennas for the cards. I already did this via the MTN shop where I purchased the card.

Can anybody from MTN (like MTNer) help me further with this?

:(

I was thinking of getting another compatible cellphone antenna. The problem seems to be that the Huawei miniature antenna connector is a non-standard connector. (or is it ?). Maybe one can get and antenna connector adaptor.

:rolleyes:
 
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There was a problem with the manufactures not been able to supply the anteannas and head sets for the Huwaei( spell check) cards. So MTN made a decision to rather release the data cars without the headsets and antennas and then supply the clients when they recieved them.

Otherwise we wud still be holding for the antennas.. But I doubt if MTN will verify that info. But it is what I got...
 
rehd said:
There was a problem with the manufactures not been able to supply the anteannas and head sets for the Huwaei( spell check) cards. So MTN made a decision to rather release the data cars without the headsets and antennas and then supply the clients when they recieved them.

Otherwise we wud still be holding for the antennas.. But I doubt if MTN will verify that info. But it is what I got...
Click to expand...

I don't think there is much chance of us getting the antenna or the head set. If they actually planned to give it to us they would have attached a sticker (or something like that) to the box to notify us when and where to get it.

Hope I'm proved wrong.
 
I hope so too.. but that was an offical communique to some of the SP's.... however for a member of public, we neva get that info..
 
Thanks for the info so far.

I was promised an earpiece with the data card, but not an antenna.
(Still waiting for the earpiece)

On the content list on the DVD-type box of the data card an ear piece is mentioned but not an antenna. I am therefore not very hopeful that MTN will provide me with an antenna (still hoping for the earpiece :rolleyes: )

I phoned Poynting Antennas. The lady told me that there was a lot on enquiries for an antenna for the Huawei card. The problem atm is the connector. She said it is a SMK connector. After a quick search I found this data sheet.

The receptacle has a switch, which I assume will disconnect the internal antenna when the plug is inserted

I compared the dimensions of the plug with the plug on the antenna that I borrowed from a Vodacom Huawei Card user.

I am 95% sure that this is the connector plug that one should get to connect a generic antenna.

Does anybody know who is the local agent for SMK connectors?

:confused:
 
zaphod,

there is only one way to get MTN to help you solve your problem. Go to www.hellopeter.co.za and complain about MTN not supplying the antennae (like Vodacom) - and as a result you are now struggling to find an antennae solution. MTN seems to play catch-up to Vodacom in the 3G/HSDPA race - resulting in half-baked MTN roll-outs. I have been fighting my own little war about not getting 3G reception where MTN claims there is - and so far MTN has shown a willingness to help me - but only after going the hellopeter route.
 
MTN 3G Connection speed POOOR

I have had my Novatell Wireless Merlin U630 now for 5 months. I stay in Crowthorne Kyalami and the best connection I am getting is 2 bars MAX and that is when I am very lucky. I have taken this matter up now with MTN's coverage division. I am including their number (0839001212) for anybody else who wants to contact them. They are now coming out to my house to identify the issue and whether or not the MTN tower in my area needs to be upgraded. Please note that this is not isolated to MTN. MTN's 3G connection is actually much better than Vodacom. My partner can't even get vodacom's 3G in Crowthorne. Would love to know what MTN 1mb download is like.
 
My problem is solved

I managed to get an antenna for my MTN Huawei card

But it was not MTN who came to my rescue. I got one from a friendly chap at a shop at Vodaworld.

He had a spare one (last one :o ) in his drawer and I got it for free !!!!!!

Apparently the antenna connector is a problem. That is according to Smartfit at Vodaworld and Poynting Antennas.

With the antenna I managed to lock onto a 3G signal, without it - only GPRS/EDGE.

:)
 
zaphod, you lucky fish :-)

It's amazing how MTN gets away with this. People are complaining all over about the poor 3G reception and absence of antennas but MTN is not responding. In my discussions with them (shop and telephonic) they don't have a clue to what antennas to use and where to get any. They also have no idea what connector to use on the Huawei card. At the one MTN shop I was told to go to Incredible Connection for help! Compare this to Vodacom that includes the antennas in the kit - and recently exchanged old 3G data cards for new HSDPA ones - for free!
 
Back to Zaphod's Antenna Problem...

I also own a Huawei E620 from MTN. I'd like to know from 'Zaphod' whether the external antenna he got from Vodacom has the correct connector to match the (MTN) Huawei datacard directly, and without any modification.

I have a Vodafone 3G antenna that goes with the Novatel "Merlin" U630 datacard, and it comes pre-fitted with a connector that is incompatible with the E620. I'm sure it's otherwise compatible, but for the connector.

I don't mind splicing a new connector onto my cable, but I must know for certain that I'm using the right type beforehand. Has anyone established the exact type of antenna connector in use on the Huawei E620? I'd also like to know the correct name for the part that fits INTO the data card, since it is of opposite gender.

The RF guys I spoke to say that a poorly fitted connector wastes a few dB, so that the potential gain of around 3dB provided by the external antenna is at risk of being lost!

Lots to think about...

Your replies would be most welcome.

Regards.
 
zaphod said:
I got my Huawei E620 card on the 11th of May.

I have a very weak 3G/HSDPA signal.
The problem is that if I set the card's setting to "3G Preferred", it switches to GPRS/EDGE.

The problem was temporally solved when I connected a small external antenna to the card. The signal strength is still weak (between 0 and 1 bar), but now at least it locks onto the 3G/HSDPA signal. I managed to get speeds between 400 kbit/s to 1.4 Mbits/s.

The antenna was borrowed from a colleague of mine who got his antenna with his Vodafone card from Vodacom. This is also a Huawei E620 card. But, my colleague wants his antenna back. :o

I phoned the MTN shop and asked them where I buy such an antenna. What is really pathetic is that MTN cannot help met with an antenna like this, and do not know where I can get one.

I phone the local branch of Huawei in Woodmead and asked them about the antenna. The told me that the do not keep stock and MTN and Vodacom cards are packaged in China and are shipped directly to MTN or Vodacom SA.

The person at Huawei said he cannot understand how MTN can order their cards without the antenna.
He said I must contact MTN and asked them to contact MTN head office and insist that they must order antennas for the cards. I already did this via the MTN shop where I purchased the card.

Can anybody from MTN (like MTNer) help me further with this?

:(

I was thinking of getting another compatible cellphone antenna. The problem seems to be that the Huawei miniature antenna connector is a non-standard connector. (or is it ?). Maybe one can get and antenna connector adaptor.

:rolleyes:
Click to expand...


Good day,

Our antenna's are arriving next week some time and will probably be out at major service centre's the following week.

I haven't got the price but I'm estimating around R70 to R120, but will let you guys know as soon as we get stock in

Hope this helps?

MTN DD
 
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Trafeye said:
zaphod,

there is only one way to get MTN to help you solve your problem. Go to www.hellopeter.co.za and complain about MTN not supplying the antennae (like Vodacom) - and as a result you are now struggling to find an antennae solution. MTN seems to play catch-up to Vodacom in the 3G/HSDPA race - resulting in half-baked MTN roll-outs. I have been fighting my own little war about not getting 3G reception where MTN claims there is - and so far MTN has shown a willingness to help me - but only after going the hellopeter route.
Click to expand...


Good day,

Zaphod

I must disagree here, that's what I'm here for is to try and assist as far as I can.

Those of you that have had a situation whereby you haven't recieved your earpiece please PM me with where you got the data card from and how long you've been waiting for it and I'll see what I can do for you.

MTN DD
 
MTN DD

The reason I gave that adivise to Zaphod was because it is extremely difficult to break through MTN's help-desk defences to get to someone in the MTN fortress that can give proper answers. Phoning the various helps-desks and filling-in the online forms is a waste of time and effort. I only got MTN to respond properly after complaining at hellopeter twice. After I first posted my complaint on this forum (MTN 3G Coverage Map) on 17 May you only replied on 12 June. Hellopeter works when answers aren't coming. My problem has not been solved yet but at leat someone from MTN visited my house - and that makes the disappointment easier to bear.
 
Trafeye said:
MTN DD

The reason I gave that adivise to Zaphod was because it is extremely difficult to break through MTN's help-desk defences to get to someone in the MTN fortress that can give proper answers. Phoning the various helps-desks and filling-in the online forms is a waste of time and effort. I only got MTN to respond properly after complaining at hellopeter twice. After I first posted my complaint on this forum (MTN 3G Coverage Map) on 17 May you only replied on 12 June. Hellopeter works when answers aren't coming. My problem has not been solved yet but at leat someone from MTN visited my house - and that makes the disappointment easier to bear.
Click to expand...


Good day,

Trafeye

I only started on this forum on the 5th of June and will continue doing so from now on, I do apologize for it not being picked up or dealt with prior to me coming on here.

So I'd like everyone on here to please give me a fair chance to try and assist to the best of my ability, if I'm not please PM me and tell me that you're not happy and I'll try and do better.

If I don't get it right after the PM please feel free to lodge a query on www.hellopeter.com but please first give me a chance.

Thanks MTN DD
 
MTN DD

I agree with your request. Before you got involved we had no alternative but to use hellopeter. Now it's much better and there is no need for us to go to hellopeter - untill such a time as you go on leave that is :-)
 
Trafeye said:
MTN DD

I agree with your request. Before you got involved we had no alternative but to use hellopeter. Now it's much better and there is no need for us to go to hellopeter - untill such a time as you go on leave that is :-)
Click to expand...

LoL

Well I'll ensure that someone who is cabable, will be left in charge to reply if and when I go on leave but that's not going to be for a long time.........


Thanks MTN DD
 
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