Low-tech (read cheap) tips for improving 8ta coverage? Share them here!

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martin

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We recently moved to Pierre van Ryneveld in Centurion and our 8ta coverage is really poor in our particular area. We have two 8ta data contracts and use one in a 3G modem and the other on an iPad. Our connections stop responding roughly every 30 seconds or so. Since money is a little tight at the moment, expensive antennas aren't really an option.

Do any of you have any tips/tricks you can share that helped you to improve your signal strength or reliability that won't cost an arm and a leg? I'm not above crafting antennas from Pringles cans if it'll work! :D

Edit: The topic should probably read signal instead of coverage. Apologies for that.
 
Last edited:
Materials

1 x Pringles can
1 x 8m USB cable
1 x 3G USB modem


Method

1. Eat Pringles
2. Make rectangular hole the size of usb male connector in bottom of can.
3. Attach USB modem from inside can to female connector of USB extension cable on outside.
4. Use your favourite search engine / app to find base station.
5. Strap can onto arial, chimney, roof or tree pointing straight in the direction of the base station.
6. Good Luck.
 
martin said:
Edit: The topic should probably read signal instead of coverage. Apologies for that.
Click to expand...
Not sure. Improvement of read signal will help very little if tower cannot hear you. We tend to show our selfishness also when talking about communication. Cmmunication is like human relationship, it is two way. It means you have to think about other side, not only about yourself.
It is why 'coverage' is better. :) tralala :)
 
stricken said:
Materials

1 x Pringles can
1 x 8m USB cable
1 x 3G USB modem


Method

1. Eat Pringles
2. Make rectangular hole the size of usb male connector in bottom of can.
3. Attach USB modem from inside can to female connector of USB extension cable on outside.
4. Use your favourite search engine / app to find base station.
5. Strap can onto arial, chimney, roof or tree pointing straight in the direction of the base station.
6. Good Luck.
Click to expand...

You had me at "Eat Pringles"! :D

sajunky said:
Not sure. Improvement of read signal will help very little if tower cannot hear you. We tend to show our selfishness also when talking about communication. Cmmunication is like human relationship, it is two way. It means you have to think about other side, not only about yourself.
It is why 'coverage' is better. :) tralala :)
Click to expand...

Good point. Apology withdrawn :)
 
I put my router in the roof, much better line of sight to the 8ta tower and the signal works better through the ceiling than through walls.

I have one of those external antennas but never bothered to put it up since my signal is now 100%.
 
Beachless said:
I put my router in the roof, much better line of sight to the 8ta tower and the signal works better through the ceiling than through walls.

I have one of those external antennas but never bothered to put it up since my signal is now 100%.
Click to expand...

I was planning on doing the same with an old Android phone running a wireless hotspot but unfortunately the phone proved too unreliable. The hotspot keeps shutting down. Should I get my hands on a 3G router I'd definitely try this out.
 
Www.dbg.co.za cheap 3g routers I've used one of their's for over a year now.
 
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