Poor Reception: MTN, Huawei WiFi Router With Antenna

[johanhorak]

I am using a Huawei B68A HSPA+ 21Mbps Wireless Gateway GSM broadband Router

The idea was that the modem with antenna would give me better reception when traveling to remote places.

1. I have MTN sim from Axxess
2. It makes an internet connection at my home in Simonstown
3. The connection is poor - very slow - images takes ages on various sites - while it's not an issue using my ADSL.
4. I have 3G coverage according to MTN coverage map. My house is on the edge of the 3G map.
5. When I use the antenna the connection is practically non existing

I am not sure why this modem given the above would give me such poor internet connection.

Why when I add the antenna no page opens on any browser? (I have followed the procedure to activate the external antenna, then switch off modem, add antenna, start modem again).

I hope you can assist.

BTW: This gives you the background for my search for a strong antenna for a 3G WiFi router.

 

[sajunky]

1. Signal strenght indicators would help (internal vs. external). Get optimum signal by changing router position and orientation.
2. We don't know anything about your external antenna installation.

 

[upup]

pics of your antenna on the van, hope it is not safely inside the van

 

[johanhorak]

Hi

Thanks. As per the previous discussion - see link above - this router was suggested with it's own "external" antenna. See photograph below.

It's not and outside in the weather antenna.

I am currently testing it inside my house to see how it works.

It was suggested that I set it up against the windscreen of the car and see how well it functions before considering dedicated antennas.

Now that it's not doing so well in my house - in front of a large open window in the line of sight of towers - I may have to get a proper directional or omni directional antenna and stuck it to the car.

Aside: it's odd that the router is doing a poor but better job without the antenna fitted.

How do I measure 3g signal strength on a router? (I'll search)

I will play around with the position of the router and report back. Thanks @sajunky

 

[upup]

Can I ask a dump question.

Is that antenna a 3g or wifi antenna?

 

[johanhorak]

Can I ask a dump question.

Is that antenna a 3g or wifi antenna?

It's a 3G or ADSL sending out a WiFi signal ;-)

 

[sajunky]

Aside: it's odd that the router is doing a poor but better job without the antenna fitted.

How do I measure 3g signal strength on a router? (I'll search)

Not the first time I hear about - see B593 threads. It looks like it shares the same antenna design with B683 and B593. Gain is estimated 6dBi correctly cross polarised design for MIMO operation. If you connect typical +/-3dBi paddle antenna, it not only result in lower gain, but also receive diversity will be affected.

Re: signal strenght, another diappointment. Google do not brings any results for string "B68A +RSSI", so I assume B68A firmware follows the same trend as B593. :-(

 

[johanhorak]

Not the first time I hear about - see B593 threads. It looks like it shares the same antenna design with B683 and B593. Gain is estimated 6dBi correctly cross polarised design for MIMO operation. If you connect typical +/-3dBi paddle antenna, it not only result in lower gain, but also receive diversity will be affected.

Re: signal strenght, another diappointment. Google do not brings any results for string "B68A +RSSI", so I assume B68A firmware follows the same trend as B593. :-(

Thanks.

Bad news

I will check the B593 threads. I tried to call Huawei in SA. Will try again but I feel like returning it and get another.

I do need another good strength for my own use and others. Suggestions welcome @sajunky.

 

[sajunky]

Just for reference: in B683 you can find Cell ID, RSSI/etc in System -> Device Diagnostic

 

[saa044]

I am having issues with the b68a in this way that I will have internet for 2 minutes, no internet for 4 minutes, router still connected to the net.

Signal strength:
-82dBm

Is that signal strength ok?

 

[sajunky]

Not very bad.
Assuming new version is using the same menu system, go to Settings -> Dial-up and change "Connection Mode" to "Manual". This will allow you to pickup situation when modem is dropping connection. In automatic mode it will redial automatically and you don't know really what happens.

Do you use original power supply?

 

[saa044]

Not very bad.
Assuming new version is using the same menu system, go to Settings -> Dial-up and change "Connection Mode" to "Manual". This will allow you to pickup situation when modem is dropping connection. In automatic mode it will redial automatically and you don't know really what happens.

Do you use original power supply?

Yeah everything that came with it. The thing is I will sometimes have perfect internet for a day or two, or in the evenings or early mornings, but most of the day it is a struggle. Thanks for the tip about the manual connection, will try.

 

[sajunky]

Yeah everything that came with it. The thing is I will sometimes have perfect internet for a day or two, or in the evenings or early mornings, but most of the day it is a struggle. Thanks for the tip about the manual connection, will try.

In such case it it rather network, not a hardware problem. Are you by a chance on Cell C? There is a number posts complaining "full signal, no throughput", a typical for Cell C in some areas with a strong signal from Vodacom towers.

 

[saa044]

In such case it it rather network, not a hardware problem. Are you by a chance on Cell C? There is a number posts complaining "full signal, no throughput", a typical for Cell C in some areas with a strong signal from Vodacom towers.

Mtn uncapped. But the router will always say Cell C on the top, not sure why though. Apn is set to internet.