Signal strength

K

koosbeer

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Location
Pretoria
Sup...

New user of sentech mywireless. This is also my first time with broadband. We get disconnected a lot. Signal is not very string. How can we make it stronger? Is there a extra antenna we can connect to the external modem?

Please help out with advice to get a better signal. Tried everything except putting the modem on the roof to get better signal :-). i'm in the Pretoria area

Thanks guys
 
Where in Pretoria are you? You may have the problem of connecting to a distant tower instead of your nearest tower? Also, which tower are you connecting to (number)?
 
Thats Kilner Park. How far are you from Kilner Park?

Also what kind of Signal strength are you getting

can you specify your % and -xdBm values..

ideally you want 10% / -90dBm values (or higher)
 
Also, what does the Broadband Zone Locator say for your particular house/street? Click around your neighbourhood to see if anywhere nearby it says "Good" - this would be on the same screen so dont zoom out.

You could probably also connect to Sunnyside (36) if you are lucky. I would suggest trying to use a can or pringles can to boost your signal and thus cut down on dropouts. Search on the forum for the instructions and pics etc. There is some highly detailed info on here [:D]

Point the can at Sunnyside and keep trying to reconnect. Perhaps you may just get a better signal. Less interference or buildings or whatever in the way
 
the highest i get is 11% but on average i get 8%. dBm values are -98. When there is signal it's ok its just sometimes it just dissapears withou warning. Especially at night and in the early morning (early meaning 7 - 11 :-) ). the connection never stays constant. is there a external antenna i can buy?
 
what should i do with the can of pringles? the modem is stuck to a window! the only place in the whole house where i get signal.

on the locator it says we have good signal... that is true, when it doesn't drop and keeps of for hours...
 
There is. But first try the can thingey. You are probably 300m futher to sunnyside than to kilner so you might get good results since they are about the same distance away. Read my last post - been changing it.

-98dBm is never good. If you have -90 then you should stay connected for a reasonably long time. You must have tried moving the modem around.. Try use USB extension cables and move the modem to a window. Apparently high up near a window produces the best results. Believe me, if you are getting 8-11% you can probably find a spot where you will get up to 18-20% with some moving around etc.

Use ProAsm's mysignal to move the modem around and test for signal. You can get it here.. http://www.unrealza.co.za/proasm/wireless/mysignal.html

Its pretty dynamic so just keep on eye on the screen and try the modem in all directions. Its best to do this with a can.

Otherwise try get a better antenna but only after you have done all the above. You may not need it (unless you want lower/more constant pings etc).
 
Try any can (pringles/coffee etc) well any METAL can. Cut a hole in the side of the can (for the antenna) about 5cm away from the base (check the forum for the exact measurements) then hold the can over the modem with only the antenna through the hole.

Check ProAsm's site for some pics.

It should give you some 4 or 5% boost at least which could be enough. Perhaps try on another PC as well (on the other side of the house for example)
 
I posted a link in the antenna waiting area thread (I think) that was about R130 for 5dB. I would think you could then go from -95dB to -90dB.

www.fastcomm.co.za
www.poynting.co.za
www.nowire.co.za

Thats all I know of. Better ask someone who has an antenna if its worth it.
 
Thanks for the help. Just wondering how you connect that patch antenna? I downloaded that mysignal app. very cool. saw my signal - DAMN!!! - i have nothing whatsoever. taht is really lame. I'm gonna try that can thing... been looking for the topic...

When all else fails, i'll buy the damn antanna...the price is up to R250!!!
 
In my room if I move the modem 1m down off the desk it goes directly to 0% and we are quite high off ground level. Its a built up area though so we probably rely on some reflection.

Have you tried the can trick? could help..

Heres the antenna link I found..
http://www.rfdesign.co.za/default.asp?pageID=891096760&category=106

I dont have an antenna so I dont know about the patch. I think there are connector instructions on ProAsm's site
 
on the modems antena there is a little rubber plug that you need to remove to attach the antena ... and yes for me the patch antena is
worht it ... just remeber the patch antena is directional
 
See Pro's site (follow his signature) for some practical ideas to make a super antenna.

Haven't tried any of them, as I don't need one 'cause I'm nowehere near a Sentech tower [:(!]

But I'm quite sure it could be fun having a Pringle's cantennae on your roof and having the neighbourhood guessing what "Boeremag" activities you are up to[^]

South Africa needs World Class Broadband at World Competitive Prices.
 
Thanks for the help guys.. gonna try my best. The pringle antenna looks fun. dont really understand the measurements but have a cool cal to convert from " to mm.

The max length of the wire probably has a effect. The theory looks like it can work. I'll try this before i try the bought antenna..

Thanx again guys
 
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