MTN Data Card Technical Queries

[CeeBee]

ext antenna for HSDPA card

aaijajaai! We were charged R350 for the data card's external antenna, by the MTN store here in harties :-(
of course it was either that or be without it, as nobody else seems to have stock yet....
I am yet to see any difference in the reception though. Signal and connection speed is the same, with or without it.
But I suppose if you're on a borderline area it might make a diff. Or if the card is used inside a desktop pc case, you'll probly need it to pick up any signal.

very funny how precise / sensitive the signal spread is; move the laptop here you get this speed... a meter thata way, you get different signal and speed, (I'm talking big difference)
now we just need to see MTN push up the speed closer to the advertised speeds.... (where did those rumours come from that HSDPA is faster than ADSL, if you can't even realistically expect half of that speed most of the time)
still I suppose it is still new, we can only hope that MTN improves it in time

 

[PCF]

My experience with the aerial was more positive. With the aerial I average about 3 bars, and without it sometimes one bar, but mostly none. According to the coverage map, I’m well inside a GPRS/EDGE covered area. My problem was clutter around the card including cabling etc as I run my card in a desktop/PCI adapter.

 

[ginggs]

I am yet to see any difference in the reception though. Signal and connection speed is the same, with or without it.
But I suppose if you're on a borderline area it might make a diff. Or if the card is used inside a desktop pc case, you'll probly need it to pick up any signal.

My father and I both have our cards in desktop PC cases. In the area where he lives, the external antenna has made a huge difference. On his phone he picks up at least 10 different towers according to the cell info display. Before he got the antenna he was lucky if he could connect at all, the F@stlink software would just say "Authenticating" for a couple of minutes and then stop with an error in connection. Strangely, there is no change in signal strength with or without the antenna.

In my area I only pick up 2 or 3 different towers, and the antenna hasn't improved signal strength or download speeds for me at all.

 

[YelloFever]

aaijajaai! We were charged R350 for the data card's external antenna, by the MTN store here in harties :-(
of course it was either that or be without it, as nobody else seems to have stock yet....
I am yet to see any difference in the reception though. Signal and connection speed is the same, with or without it.
But I suppose if you're on a borderline area it might make a diff. Or if the card is used inside a desktop pc case, you'll probly need it to pick up any signal.

very funny how precise / sensitive the signal spread is; move the laptop here you get this speed... a meter thata way, you get different signal and speed, (I'm talking big difference)
now we just need to see MTN push up the speed closer to the advertised speeds.... (where did those rumours come from that HSDPA is faster than ADSL, if you can't even realistically expect half of that speed most of the time)
still I suppose it is still new, we can only hope that MTN improves it in time

You were charged what R350 for the antenna that plugs into your data card that’s not correct they should have charged R170 at the most,

Could you please advise via PM the dealer’s name and contact details as well as your name, surname and cell phone number.

MTNDD

 

[debug]

Hi MTNDD,

Will any generic 3 wire headset work on the E620 cards ? OR is there special headset for these cards ?

d

 

[YelloFever]

Hi MTNDD,

Will any generic 3 wire headset work on the E620 cards ? OR is there special headset for these cards ?

d

Should work - but I'll check with MTNHandsets- My device manager

MTNDD

 

[YelloFever]

Hi,

I've only had the Huawei headset to test with but I can't see any reason why it won't work with a generic one.

Cheers,
MTNDD

 

[debug]

MTNDD - What's the price on the Hauwei headset ?

 

[YelloFever]

MTNDD - What's the price on the Hauwei headset ?

The Hauwei handset is still in type approval not out in SA as yet

MTNDD

 

[Academic]

External Aerial for Sierrawireless 850

Where and how much? telephone number please

 

[YelloFever]

Where and how much? telephone number please

Will advise ASAP

Thanks MTNDD

 

[YelloFever]

Good day,

Herewith are the details of people you could speak to.

Thanks MTNDD

1. Poynting Innovations: http://www.poynting.co.za/contact.php Speak to Louie van Wezel

2. WEBB Industries: http://www.webb.co.za/contact.htm Speak to Lodie Potgieter

 

[debug]

Just tested a "PHF For Motorola T/V-Series (Univ)" headset (from local Vodashop) with the VC E620 card and it works like a charm so this will work with the MTN E620 card aswell. Got a VC sim in here now and just dialed "5151" (while connected via HSDPA) and checked my balance (Family top-up) - no problems.

Also made a call with it and had a quick conversation. Had the person call back to the sim's number and picked up the call using the Huawei software. Works 100%. Great!!

Anyway so my voice call, balance, recharge and headset queries are all history now.

Regards
debug

 

[YelloFever]

Just tested a "PHF For Motorola T/V-Series (Univ)" headset (from local Vodashop) with the VC E620 card and it works like a charm so this will work with the MTN E620 card aswell. Got a VC sim in here now and just dialed "5151" (while connected via HSDPA) and checked my balance (Family top-up) - no problems.

Also made a call with it and had a quick conversation. Had the person call back to the sim's number and picked up the call using the Huawei software. Works 100%. Great!!

Anyway so my voice call, balance, recharge and headset queries are all history now.

Regards
debug

Good to hear

MTNDD

 

[magus]

I have now tried 5 different MTN SP outlets for the antenna for the Huawei E620. Here are some sample responses:

"We can order it. It will take 6 weeks." -- Fourways Mall
"The E620 does not need an antenna" -- Hyde Park
"We are out of stock." -- Killarney Mall
"We don't have it. myadsl says we should have it? That's a Telkom website!" -- Northgate Mall
"You should have got one when you got the card. What did you do with it?" (accusatory) -- The Boulders, Midrand

I would really like to have one.

 

[debug]

magus - I suggest the LPDA-A0021-01 ariel from Poyinting which is a 11dBi Hi-gain antenna with a 7m HDF195 cable. It will cost you about R 861.73

see : http://www.poynting.co.za/productdisplay.php?id=66&cat_id=2

debug

 

[YelloFever]

Where and how much? telephone number please

Good day all,

Please be advised that we have received some Sierra Wireless Antennas. These may be ordered via Central Warehouse. and the price is R324.10 with VAT

Hope and trust you find this in order

MTNDD

 

[Academic]

Thanks; what is the gain with your antenna?

And is it directional?
What length cable?

 

[YelloFever]

And is it directional?
What length cable?

Good day,

I think it would be the standard 2db gain but will clarify on that as well as the the length and if it’s directional or not.

MTNDD

 

[YelloFever]

Here's a bit more info for you



External Antenna Coax In-Line FME Adapter


Features:
Using a coax adapter a user can connect an external roof-mount antenna to their AirCard to improve the performance when in fringe network coverage areas.
This external antenna coax adapter can be used with the AirCard 300/350, AirCard 550/555, AirCard750, AirCard 775 or AirCard 850/860 PC Card.
Specifications:


Coaxial adapter cable with a female In-Line FME connector and an SMA nano connector.
Length: 30 cm (12 inches)