Friend wants to get antennas set up for 3g.

[AstroTurf]

Lives on a plot, has terrible signal issues.

He wants the ability to use whatever network he wants (hence not bothering with LTE due to Telkom and the other black sheep).

Wants to be able to use it on 2 to 4 pc's

Poynting quoted him something like R6k for the antenna and a router which I think is insane. I think they were trying to make a quick buck as he is not very tech savvy and a bit older then their usual clients.

Basically what I would like to set him up with is a 3g router with LAN and Wifi capability or even just wifi at a push, a mast, an antenna and some cable to plug the lot in.

To add to the fun he lives in a re-purposed chapel with 2 levels and he has turned the upper level (pews, organ and all) into his study/music room/pc room.

Any suggestions on a reliable and decently priced router that I can plug into a poynting antenna to get this set up? Obviously the antenna recommendation would also be handy.

 

[jacodebeer]

I live on a plot and bought a huawei b593 through Afrihost, im not in a LTE area but my speeds multiplied 6 fold, I have done no modification to the router
from 2mbps to over 12mbps download

 

[magicfoot]

3G antenna install

The 6K quote probably includes a pre and post installation RF signal strength measurement, the labour costs for the tech to install the antenna, the omni antenna with cable and bracket, and travel costs per km to the plot. Not a cheap quote but then Poynting are not social welfare , and the job will get done.

Your DIY option for the 3G is to buy and install your own omni kit, available either from Otto.co.za or Poynting. Go for the middle range Omni with a good quality cable and basic mounting bracket. Then: climb on your farmhouse roof and find where your best RF reception is (with a cellphone app) for your MNO. Mount your omni antenna at this location and cable up to your router. Try to keep the cable length short as possible. i.e. less than 10m.

Also maybe consider going for a multi-SIM (multi MNO) router as the local cell network may get suggested by the other farmers downloading their copies of Landbou weekblad on 3G.

Give us some feedback when done.