Using an external antenna with the Globe Surfer 3G router

[rudirautenbach]

Tonight I decided to open the router up, to see what is going on inside. (Engineers like me have an uncurable disease which is the desire to open everything up to see the insides...)

I could not make peace with the fact that the thing does not have an external antenna port for hooking up an external antenna. So, off to the hardware shop to buy a Torx screwdriver, and an hour later the unit is open.

Inside is a normal PCMCIA 3G modem slotted into a PC card port (a similar card to the ones MTN and Vodacom supply) without the plastic bits where the logo is on. A pretty little external antenna port is staring at me.

Unfortunately Poynting is closed on Saturdays, so buying the required pigtail that fits in the port will have to wait until Monday.

Amazing why Option did not design the casing so that customers can fit an external antenna without voiding the warranty.

Warning, opening the unit up WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY, as you have to destroy the sticker covering the screws to open the unit.

Thought I would share with you the fact that you can connect an external antenna without every MTN customer voiding their warranties opening their units up to check.

Cheers, R

 

[JJF]

I certainly share your frustration. The Huawei E220 also doesn't have an external antenna connection. Why they decided not to put one on is an absolute mystery to me.

But I've noticed that the E220 actually does have one of those U.FL connectors inside, thanks to one of our fellow forumites dropping his. . So one of these days I am going to operate on one to see if it actually works.

Unfortunately the one I have here is not mine, so no unscrewing/prying open on this one. But one day...

JJF.

 

[YelloFever]

I certainly share your frustration. The Huawei E220 also doesn't have an external antenna connection. Why they decided not to put one on is an absolute mystery to me.

But I've noticed that the E220 actually does have one of those U.FL connectors inside, thanks to one of our fellow forumites dropping his. . So one of these days I am going to operate on one to see if it actually works.

Unfortunately the one I have here is not mine, so no unscrewing/prying open on this one. But one day...

JJF.

It's the same with the Linsys - I think we the E220 they may have had some restrictions on what they could do

If you want I can find out from huawei why they didn't the above is just my assumption

MTNDD

 

[rudirautenbach]

Ok an update to the above post. Today I purchased the correct pigtail for an Option 3G data card from Miro Distribution for R130. (btw Poynting sells it for R93 incl, but did not have stock). I installed it in the Globe Surfer router, had to make a small channel in the housing for the pigtail to protrude.

Signal quality improved from the usual -83 dBm to a reading of -73 dBm. What that translates to in terms of the speed experience, I do not know yet. Will have to do extensive testing again to see if a nett improvement is realised. When DD visits me I will ask him to help with directionalising the antenna to the best tower in my area, which I am sure will help too.

Will keep you posted. Please also read my post later on hops via MTN SP. I think this is where our biggest problem currently lies.

Rudi

 

[JJF]

It's the same with the Linsys - I think we the E220 they may have had some restrictions on what they could do

If you want I can find out from huawei why they didn't the above is just my assumption

MTNDD

Would be nice if you could find out. And tell them that their customers are not ammused by their lack of antenna ports on their modem.

Thanks MTNDD.

Regards,

JJF.

 

[rudirautenbach]

OK another update. I decided to climb the roof tonight, it is raining lightly and have extra energy to burn.

Identified the nearest tower visually (looking for the red airplane warning beacon - I live close to the airport), swinged the Yagi 180 degrees south and woila, signal strength on the Globesurfer doubled! I am now sitting on a cool -51 dBm, from where I initially started on just under -100 dBm.

What does it translate into in terms of speed, I will check at 20h00 when peak traffic season starts. Will of course post some results as usual to compare.

Strangely I never received any comments on the post regarding the excessive hops to get out of SA via MTNSP.

BTW DD, no need to come and visit officially, I do not think it gets better than this. Of course those Hansa's are really building up layers of ice now...

Cheers, Rudi

 

[jhart]

Where can I buy a Yagi?

I have the yellow MTN data card... not the usb thingie...

My 3G Reception is crappyyyyyy!

 

[FireTelkom]

Where can I buy a Yagi?

I have the yellow MTN data card... not the usb thingie...

My 3G Reception is crappyyyyyy!

Hi

Do not buy a Yagi but buy a LPDA antenna. In tests reported on elsewhere in the forums it was shown that the LPDA antenna from poynting is better.

You can buy it on the website with the following link:

http://www.antennas.co.za or http://www.poyntingdirect.co.za

You need to buy the LPDA0021 antenna, the Huawei pigtail, a pole and bracket for your antenna. The total cost from Poynting will be more or less R760 and add another 150 for the bracket and pole from Builders Wharehouse or other supplier.

I am using the LPDA 21 antenna and moved from no reception to good reception

FireTelkom