Vodafone 3G - Quick (semi techie) questions...

JohnCleary

Hi guys,
As you see from another thread I had, i'm thinking of switching to Vodafone 3G package due to their better coverage.

1) From my Googling, it appears that Vodafone currently use a Huawei E169, which again from searching reveals that an external antenna can be added - Can anyone confirm this, and if so, noticable difference?

2) What frequency does Vodafone 3G work on? The E169 works on either 900Mhz or 2100Mhz from what I can see, would like to know what frequency Vodafone operates on so I get the right antenna

3) Sorry more of a Telecomms question - Any idea what dbi antenna (omni) I should be getting? Where i'll be using it is only a short distance (LOS) from 2 Vodafone 3G masts (one either direction), only thing blocking them is trees nearby - Friend who also uses Vodafone had no prob getting decent speeds in the past - I'd just like to use an external antenna for extra boost


Cheers for the help folks

zacseph

Well, first of all, I'd probably see what speeds you're getting before buying an antenna
Second of all, are we talking an antenna that connects to the device?? I'd love to know about it cos the device itself is just a small usb-key style thing and i've never seen anything on it to connect an antenna to??
Oh, and i think Vodafone use 2100Mhz (umts) - buy don't quote me on it!! :P

JohnCleary

I wiill be using an antenna regardless as I want to mount it on my boat as the router/USB key will be down in the electronics hatch.

Yes, the E169 takes on an external antenna - Google it and you'll see it with pics etc

zacseph

Yep - found that - but just an fyi that using that would definitely void the warranty on the modem, should it break or whatnot...
Good luck tho!!

watty

JohnCleary wrote: »

I wiill be using an antenna regardless as I want to mount it on my boat

If you go more than km or so from a Marina you may want to invest in a Marine VHF radio. Or maybe a Thuraya Modem for data.

If ocean going then maybe HF or Inmarsat Bgan.

JohnCleary

watty wrote: »

If you go more than km or so from a Marina you may want to invest in a Marine VHF radio. Or maybe a Thuraya Modem for data.

If ocean going then maybe HF or Inmarsat Began.

Watty, won't be that far from shore, inland use only. The main place i'll be using it has LOS with 1 Vodafone 3G antenna one side, and same distance from another Vodafone 3G antenna with just trees blocking it

Here's something like I was planning on getting: http://www.specialistantennas.co.uk/gsm-umts-antenna-cell-918-Mariner.aspx

Can't help but notice it's only 2dBi gain on 2100Mhz though - don't suppose you know of anything better to get?

As for a VHF Radio - I have 2 (handheld and fixed) - what's that got to do with 3G access though?

Honda08

watty wrote: »

If you go more than km or so from a Marina you may want to invest in a Marine VHF radio. Or maybe a Thuraya Modem for data.

If ocean going then maybe HF or Inmarsat Began.

i didnt know you could get 3G through a VHF radio? :D

whats that got to do with vodafone 3G?

and its not BEGAN, its BGAN...;)

also as he is on the inland waterways, i doubt he would need expensive satellite broadband.

to the op, best to check with the modem manufacturer to get the exact specs for the antennas, to get the best match and performance,

JohnCleary

Thanks Honda - You're dead right, no need for fancy satelites on inland waterways. A small external antenna will do mighty

Vodafone seem to operate at 2100Mhz. Plenty of 2100Mhz antennas out there (waterproof etc. for outdoor use) but any ones that operate at 2100Mhz seem to be only 2dBi - Which will be better than nothing, wondering if anything more powerful can be gotten?

watty

I've done a lot of saltwater boating. Also people in the club lost at sea etc. Only thinking of safety I forget sometimes we have extensive inland waterways. Though plenty of rescues and drownings in Lough Derg.


All 3G/HSDPA is on 2100MHz. GSM/GPRS/EDGE is 900Mhz and 1800MHz depending on mast. Vodafone fall back to GSM based GPRS (70k) but O2 and Meteor have EDGE (240Kbps) on GSM as alternative to 3G.

You might find a 6dBi aerial. Better than that are directional patch antennas for buildings, no use for a boat. Almost all are 2dBi to 3dBi as they are just a single dipole.

JohnCleary

watty wrote: »

All 3G/HSDPA is on 2100MHz. GSM/GPRS/EDGE is 900Mhz and 1800MHz depending on mast. Vodafone fall back to GSM based GPRS (70k) but O2 and Meteor have EDGE (240Kbps) on GSM as alternative to 3G.

You might find a 6dBi aerial. Better than that are directional patch antennas for buildings, no use for a boat. Almost all are 2dBi to 3dBi as they are just a single dipole.

Thank's for the info. No use for directional antenna unfortunately. I have 2 routerboards/pigtails/cables/directional antennas from a project lsat year but no good for this project unfortunately.

I'm on the fresh water, so once I have a waterproof antenna (ie. no connection at base, cable just going straight in) i'll be fine. Thanks for the info re dBi output - Good to know the max gain i'll get is 3dBi as i'd be searching like mad otherwise.

Now the trick is to get as short cable as possible to go from antenna to the 3G modem since i'm only going to be getting 3dBi gain. I reckon 10ft will do it nicely

watty

the Skinny RG174 is very lossy. If you use Mini8 or RG8 with FME, N or BNC with amalgamating tape on connections and short pigtail at aerial and modem. RG58 is not as good though better than RG174.

Usually Car Kit aerials can be bought with FME instead of custom modem specific plug and for car kits you can get almost any phone/modem plug to FME pigtail. FME is like a 50 Ohm version of 75 Ohm F-Connector, but with a real centre pin.


Thin PVC round trunk pipe about 25" with PVC cement endcap can have the aerial and RG8 up it and bottom end glue gunned. Then tiewrap at bottom end so top aerial end is a bit higher. Can look very neat and solves sealing of exterior connection of Mini8/RG8 to aerial. Also since many are glass mount, solves mounting issues. If you are in my neck of the woods PM and you can have a rustle through my boxes of discarded aerials!

cuhullainn

I live on a edge of vodfone 3G coverage. Some days I get good service, some days I get a 3-4 bar 3g signal but fails to connect!
Since the E220 does not have an external antenna fitting, I tried tried different tricks, such as hanging the dongle outside the window..etc Waste of time.
Then I simply use a sheet of tinfoil ( as sused for cooking) and attached at the back of the dongle as a reflector... Bingo! It works!
Maybe just a fluke, time will tell!

Regards
Paddy