Advice needed on external 3G/4G antenna

marcel353

Hi,
I am about to set up an external antenna to improve my 3G signal.
However with 4G at the corner, I may as well set up something reasonably future proof.
Would anybody be able to confirm which type of 3G/4G antenna is suitable for Ireland or even suggest a model?
I have seen different models on-line but there seems to be huge variations in prices and specs.
It will need to be sturdy and hard wearing as very exposed.

Thanks in advance,

M

mcw92

marcel353 wrote: »

Hi,
I am about to set up an external antenna to improve my 3G signal.
However with 4G at the corner, I may as well set up something reasonably future proof.
Would anybody be able to confirm which type of 3G/4G antenna is suitable for Ireland or even suggest a model?
I have seen different models on-line but there seems to be huge variations in prices and specs.
It will need to be sturdy and hard wearing as very exposed.

Thanks in advance,

M

Id be interested in this too if you could let me know how you get on

coverage in my house is **** unless your at the windows/in the attic, even then the speed has dramatically dropped recently(from 1-3 MB to 0.5)

gctest50

One of these might work - haven't tried one

http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?categoryid=218&model=TL-MR3020


have tried a raspberry pi with a 3g dongle stuck in it - worked fine

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raspberry-Pi-RBCA000-1176JZF-S-Motherboard/dp/B008PT4GGC/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1385419915&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=raspberry+pi%E2%80%8E


You'd still have to get power to them though

mcw92

Anyone any ideas on this?

LunaT

mcw92 wrote: »

Anyone any ideas on this?

Hi mcw92, you can take a look at "4G LTE External Antenna (TS9/SMA/CRC9)" from 4Ginthebox.com:
www(dot)4ginthebox(dot)com/4g-lte-antenna.html
Support Frequency:
F: 1880-1900MHZ
A: 2010-2025MHZ
E: 2320-2370MHZ
2500-2690MHZ
LTE: 698~960MHz /1710~2690MHz
Gain: 28dBi
Length: 3M
Connector Type: TS9/SMA/CRC9 (one connector)

Hope this helps!

platinums

LunaT wrote: »

Hi mcw92, you can take a look at "4G LTE External Antenna (TS9/SMA/CRC9)" from 4Ginthebox.com:
www(dot)4ginthebox(dot)com/4g-lte-antenna.html
Support Frequency:
F: 1880-1900MHZ
A: 2010-2025MHZ
E: 2320-2370MHZ
2500-2690MHZ
LTE: 698~960MHz /1710~2690MHz
Gain: 28dBi
Length: 3M
Connector Type: TS9/SMA/CRC9 (one connector)

Hope this helps!

Dont buy from 4ginthebox whatever you do!
The quoted modem is on Amazon for £70. that website quotes it at over 230$

MichaelR

Here is a widespread model but I do not have personal experience of it yet.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antenna-HUAWEI-Router-Mobile-Broadband/dp/B00L57AL10/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1409701592&sr=1-1&keywords=4g+antenna (not delivered to Ireland but there is always Parcel Motel)

same model, apparently, on dx.com - much cheaper but a long delivery:

http://www.dx.com/p/w-435-4g-35dbi-gain-antenna-white-277301#.VAZXKmO8E5c

Before your purchase, make sure you order an antenna with the kind of connector that your router/modem has! It is apparently TS9 for the widespread Huawei router but do double check!

bodonnell

MichaelR wrote: »

Here is a widespread model but I do not have personal experience of it yet.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antenna-HUAWEI-Router-Mobile-Broadband/dp/B00L57AL10/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1409701592&sr=1-1&keywords=4g+antenna (not delivered to Ireland but there is always Parcel Motel)

same model, apparently, on dx.com - much cheaper but a long delivery:

http://www.dx.com/p/w-435-4g-35dbi-gain-antenna-white-277301#.VAZXKmO8E5c

Before your purchase, make sure you order an antenna with the kind of connector that your router/modem has! It is apparently TS9 for the widespread Huawei router but do double check![/QUOTE

Have used this type of antenna, does boost signal. No 4g signal without it, 3/5 bars with it.

mcw92

bodonnell wrote: »

Have used this type of antenna, does boost signal. No 4g signal without it, 3/5 bars with it.

Ok so does it work like so.
I plug one end into the router.
The other endinto this little box yoke.
Then Place the little box where ever I have best coverage yes?

bodonnell

mcw92 wrote: »

Ok so does it work like so.
I plug one end into the router.
The other endinto this little box yoke.
Then Place the little box where ever I have best coverage yes?

Both connectors plug into your device, place the antenna where you get strongest signal, simple as

ranger4

bodonnell wrote: »

Both connectors plug into your device, place the antenna where you get strongest signal, simple as

Does both antenna cables plug into wireless router aerial inputs also could this antenna have 30 ft of low loss cable fitted to connect to router.

bodonnell

ranger4 wrote: »

Does both antenna cables plug into wireless router aerial inputs also could this antenna have 30 ft of low loss cable fitted to connect to router.

Yes both cables plug into mobile device, in my case Huawei E5372. Don't know about your low loss cable question.

AHireland2k11

[quote

Have used this type of antenna, does boost signal. No 4g signal without it, 3/5 bars with it.[/quote]

Where did you get antenna

AHireland2k11

Anyone try the ones on ebay or similar?
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/35dBi-4G-LTE-SMA-male-Antenna-Signal-Amplifier-Booster-for-HUAWEI-B593-B890-B880-/191409417722?hash=item2c90e3edfa:g:nGUAAOSw~1FUYbpV

bodonnell

That's what I was using. No longer using 4g for broadband as fttc became available.

AHireland2k11

was it any good?
I have 2 bars on three 4g

bodonnell

was getting 1-2 bars also, this was good for 20 to 22 mbps, at the time I was just on the perimeter of meteors coverage.

editorsean

I have that eBay one which I've used in the past for portability. It does make a difference with dongles, wingles and MiFi units, but it's more likely to be a downgrade over the internal antenna in mains-operated Hauwei routers such as the B593. Looks like their 35dBi rating is missing a decimal point.

With my earlier E8278 wingle (USB powered MiFi) using the Meteor 3G network, I had no signal with the wingle on its own no matter where I placed it, a 2 bar signal with that eBay antenna and a 4 bar signal with a directional panel antenna, all in the same spot in the loft aimed out a skylight (with older non e-coated glass.) That wingle didn't give dB signal read-outs.

When I later tried the Huawei B593 router with the Meteor network, it gave a 3 bar signal on the Meteor network in that spot with just its internal antennas. I have no way of attaching the portable antenna to it (antenna has TS9 connections) to compare my current Three 4G setup, but I'm sure if I could, I reckon it would have dropped the signal strength.

bodonnell

Used it with an e572 & b593 with similar results as previously mentioned. I had outside on front wall of the house.

AHireland2k11

bodonnell wrote: »

was getting 1-2 bars also, this was good for 20 to 22 mbps, at the time I was just on the perimeter of meteors coverage.

Did it improve signal? I want to get at least 4 bars

bodonnell

For me it improved, no bars with internal antennas 1-2 with external. Obviously your areas 4g coverage will determine how good a signal you get.

Mashtun

Anybody manage to pick up 4g where they could only get 3g previous to installing an antenna?

KpsCowley

Hi guys,
I'm just looking into this.

I am in rural Mayo where phone line internet is not an option. The best mobile data provider is 3. On my phone I get 0.5mbps in the house, but when I go 10m out on my lawn (hill) I get 12mbps 4G coverage.

The 3 broadband packages are not unlimited (which is a problem for me). Although I was thinking that I could hook up an external antenna to a phone is ideal my house, top up by 20 euro a month (for unlimited internet) and run this into a decent wireless router.
Do you think this would be possible?

Thanks

ED E

Thats what everyone does

KpsCowley

Hi Guys,

Im looking at getting this package, could someone with a bit more knowledge than me have a look, thank you

Thought it was over expensive, but it includes an unlocked e5186, directional antenna and leads.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIMO-Mobile-Broadband-Antenna-Booster-Huawei-E5186-LTE-4G-300MBPS-18dbi-15M-RF24-/272272972488?hash=item3f64bbdac8:g:L0oAAOSwT~9Wio07

£269.99

John mac

thats expensive .
I would try just the router first ,
its £176 delivered here

if its no good then get the antenna,

i put in a B315 for my parents over christmas.
they have had .5 mb dsl for years . , popped in a a sim ,
with a bit of walking around in the house and shouts of "hold it there" we got a steady 40Mb down and 20Mb up. got 60 down at one point .

KpsCowley

Thanks for the info John mac, I ordered the router from that link and will give it a try on its own first.

Thats an incredible increase in speed for your parents!

I'll report back next week when I get it up and running.
Thanks again.

€>sense

Hi all,

A few very basic questions here, hope someone has the patience to answer:

1) If I get an antenna that covers a certain band - e.g for 3g/4g up to CAT 6 I think it is 800-3000MHz - then can that antenna be used with any router? (I'm assuming that even if the physical connection changes TS9/SMA, that an adapter is available.)

2) Is there any plans to have CAT 6 available on any network before I get fibre to the cabinet? (particularly 3 as I'm only 2 miles from their mast and can just see the red light on top of the mast over the inevitable hill from my window) - I'm hoping the antenna will see much more from the gable)

I don't want to buy an Huawei E5186 if the cheaper B315 will cover any reasonable future plans, but would not mind investing in an antenna to cover as many future generations as possible so ...

3) would a good antenna cover all 4G and 5G?

4) In my situation (a borrowed B315 gets a useless 1 bar of 4G in the window, but 5 bars of 3G), are the 5 inch "rabbits ears" and internal antennae that stick to the window a waste of time?

ED E

Hey €,

Better I reply here where the others can chime in.

Forget 5G. Nobody knows what frequency/multiplexing will be used by then. We're just now going from cat4 to cat 6 LTEA, CAT 10/12 have to come before NSN/Huawei even discuss 5G over beers.

You need a dipole antenna for 4G but you can use one half for 3G if needs be. I'm no antenna pro but AFAIK no problems there.

CAT6 isn't something a rural dweller needs to worry about, its only gonna be seen in heavily built up areas for now.

Your problem isn't a mast 15km barely making it to you, its a big lump of rock. Id be slow to put money on rabbit ears helping. As before, up up you go.

The Cush

ED E wrote: »

Forget 5G. Nobody knows what frequency/multiplexing will be used by then.

It's likely to be used in the 700MHz band which will be available from about April 2020 here, when broadcasting has been cleared from the band, and using the APT700 lower duplexer bandplan. 5G is likely to be commercially available from 2020.

ED E

The Cush wrote: »

It's likely to be used in the 700MHz band which will be available from about April 2020 here, when broadcasting has been cleared from the band, and using the APT700 lower duplexer bandplan. 5G is likely to be commercially available from 2020.

With the current providers we have you can expect to see a very gradual rollout starting after that point. The new geographic restriction if enacted will also be problematic.

selfbuilder1

Hi folks,

I am currently using a 3 sim in a router for broadband. I am considering getting an external antenna to increase my speed. I don't have line of site from my house but if I go a short distance up the road I can see the mast. I have read alot of varying advice regarding directional and omni-directional antenna. There is only one 3 LTE mast in the area I'm in. Which type of antenna would work the best for me?

Thanks.

KpsCowley

selfbuilder1 wrote: »

Hi folks,

I am currently using a 3 sim in a router for broadband. I am considering getting an external antenna to increase my speed. I don't have line of site from my house but if I go a short distance up the road I can see the mast. I have read alot of varying advice regarding directional and omni-directional antenna. There is only one 3 LTE mast in the area I'm in. Which type of antenna would work the best for me?

Thanks.

Hi selfbuilder,

As far as I have researched, running an antenna lead anywhere near 4-5 meters results in huge losses.

Another option is an outside modem that you can power through a single cat 6 cable using PoE, it works on band 3 (1800 MHz) which THREE supports, but the downside is that it supports LTE (4G) only, as far as I can understand (https://www.irishwireless.net/wireless-outdoor/4g-lte/rbsxtlte3-7). Saves the losses incurred with long external antenna leads too.

I'm still waiting for it to arrive.

Alter-Ego

selfbuilder1 wrote: »

Hi folks,

I am currently using a 3 sim in a router for broadband. I am considering getting an external antenna to increase my speed. I don't have line of site from my house but if I go a short distance up the road I can see the mast. I have read alot of varying advice regarding directional and omni-directional antenna. There is only one 3 LTE mast in the area I'm in. Which type of antenna would work the best for me?

Thanks.

I am in the same situation as you, no LOS to a 3 LTE mast. I purchased a pair of these: http://www.dipol.ie/cellular-systems/gsm-3g-lte-antennas/lte/atk-log-alp-lte-mimo-2x2-antenna-800-3000mhz-10m-cables-sma-plug.html based on the advice of Editorsean on this thread:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057675233

I pointed them in the general direction of the mast and am now getting average close to 20Mbps, when I was previously only getting 5-6mb with the modem outdoors at ground level.

€>sense

http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-elevationtool.html

This is interesting, played around with it and it seems pretty accurate for my location.

I put in the height of my window and it says my line of sight is blocked, but add the height of a mast and LOS adjusts so that I can just see it - exactly as it is. I can barely see top of antenna from window.

Now anyone know how to tell which mast in a cluster is a 3 mast and what height the actual 4G transmitters are on the mast?

paddy19

The much maligned COMREG provide a really neat map viewer for towers.

This map shows the local of cell towers.

http://www.askcomreg.ie/mobile/siteviewer.273.LE.asp

Click on the tower and it shows the supplier and what service (GSM, 4g) is provided. On some towers it also has a radiation report which shows what frequencies are transmitted.

Not bad for regulator.!

€>sense

Great stuff,

I now know exactly which mast to aim at!!

briankell74

Hi
Does anyone know can i put a vodafone mobile sim in to a DLink router to test for 4g signal.
I have the router connected to two YAGI directional High Gain Antennas pointing at a Vodafone mast and wondering can I test for a 4G signal with a mobile SIM.
I will be borrowing the SIM of a Vodafone mobile user that has 4G .
The router is a DLink and is Unlocked.
Any help would be great !!!!!!!!

Regards
BK

editorsean

A Vodafone phone SIM will work in a router, but you must set the APN in the router to 'live.vodafone.com' before connecting. If the router has the option, set it to manually connect before inserting the SIM.

Most modems/routers will automatically set the APN to hs.vodafone.ie and in turn automatically connect once powered up. If this APN is used with a phone SIM, it will result in out of bundle data charges at 26c/MB as the hs.vodafone.ie APN will not use the phone data bundle.

If that SIM is a prepay SIM, another workaround is to go into the "Buy add-ons" section of the My Account and there will be a section at the bottom to buy a broadband add-on. You can buy the day pass for €3 and this will provide 500MB which will work with the hs.vodafone.ie APN and should be sufficient for a few speed tests. A speed of about 40Mbps down / 10Mbps up with Speedtest.net will typically consume about 100MB for the test.

briankell74

Hi editorsean
Thank you for your reply, I have been reading some of your articles and they are an interesting read.
Do i need any other info such as username,password, dial number, etc for the manual set up ?

Also i was led to believe Vodafone don't do PAYG 4g SIM only as i was going to get new sim and new number and use for testing.and they don't do MBB 4g PAYG SIM only.
Is this the case.?

With my set up i have LOS with Three, vodafone and Meteor masts.

With three on AYCE I get a 3g signal with 68% -78% signal with between 2Mbps to 16Mbps and not steady. I put the router in front room with its own paddle aerials I get 4g with 48% - 54% signal and between 0.8Mps and 8Mbps usually around 2 Mbps but ping is weak and I need a good ping to run my Sat Box. (three maps say no 4g coverage in my area)

With Vodafone 3G sim (I borrowed off my Ma and is not 4g enabled and she wants to leave it the way it is as she is happy with it) I get a 3g signal with 68% -78% signal with between 4Mbps to 12Mbps very steady with external antennas and steady low ping.
The sitecom map viewer site states that this vodafone mast is LTE so I reckon if it is I should get some impressive speeds on their 4g network (if I can Pick it up).
I don,t want to sign up to an 18 month contract to find I have no 4G. I can get 4g with a borrowed mobile phone in the back garden and not in the house.
Any input and advise to this would be great..
Regards
BK

editorsean

The username/password fields can be left blank. If it needs a dial-up #, put in *99#

Vodafone uses the same prepay SIM for both phone and routers. When you register for My Vodafone, it will ask if you will be placing the SIM in a phone or router. The main difference is how the add-ons are presented, e.g. if the phone option is chosen, it shows the phone add-ons at the top of the page and the mobile broadband add-ons are shown at the bottom of the page.

4G is usually enabled on the account a day after its first use, although I've heard a few people had to call Vodafone to enable 4G, including a friend who also recently picked up a Vodafone SIM to test Vodafone's performance. It's only in the past year that they started offering 4G for prepay mobile broadband use. Previously they only activated 4G when on the €20 5GB top-up plan (which consumes €10 of the top-up credit).

If you plan getting a prepay SIM, they charge €10 for the prepay SIM and their add-ons are 500MB for 1 day (€3), 2GB for 7 days (€10) and 7.5GB for 30 days (€20). When you register for My Vodafone, they give €10 free credit (basically compensates for the SIM cost.)

I would also suggest giving Meteor a try. Their mobile broadband SIM costs €1 when ordered from the website (not sure about the shop) and comes with €3 of free credit, enough for 150MB out-of-bundle usage. This should be sufficient to see if you get a 4G signal and enough for some ping tests.

briankell74

Hi editorsean
Been testing three AYCE at the weekend with the DLink router and external Antennas and been getting between 3 - 10Mbps with the majority of that 3Mps at peak (this was after changing the settings to manual and entering their APN) . I was able to stream a movie with this no problem. Which is not bad considering at the min I have Vodafone fixed line broadband with 1.1 to Max 1.6 download.
Then last night threes AYCE dropped to 0.6Mbps (All night), it was unusable even the Sat Box froze and this needs very little as it is fed from the dish.
Done a speed test this morning with testmynet and I got 18 down and 4 up (WEIRD).
At the Min I use about 54GB a month with Vodafone on an unlimited package at 1.6 max download,(This is kids watching youtube,movies,play station and I would watch a couple of movies weekly and regular internet browsing).
In your opinion would Vodafones 150GB a month plan be sufficient on a 4G connection or do you think I could be in fear of exceeding 150GB with everything now coming in HD on the 4G connection.
Regards
BK


Just one more question for you editorsean, I have the same set up with the antennas, what distance do you recommend to have the antennas apart, I have mine about 50cm apart ?
Cheers

paddy19

"Then last night threes AYCE dropped to 0.6Mbps (All night), it was unusable even the Sat Box froze and this needs very little as it is fed from the dish.
Done a speed test this morning with testmynet and I got 18 down and 4 up (WEIRD)."

Be interesting to investigate this weird drop.
Three could be throttling you but seems unlikely they would drop it to 0.6 mpbs.

Possibly a problem with your aerial setup. I'm no expert but a man what knows tells me if your aerial is too close to a wall you could get wet reflections. He recommends 3/8M distance.

Just a thought.

briankell74

Hi paddy19

Aerial is two high gain directional YAGI . They are on a Mast about 2.5 M above the eve gutter with direct LOS of Three mast with nothing in the way. The Mast is 9Km away and I can see it clearly.
Also last night when the bandwidth dropped the Antenna signal was showing between 70 & 78% never dropping below 70% and this was still the case this morning when it was at 18Mps.
Maybe just congestion on the Three network.

paddy19

Hi Brian,
Another good theory bites the dust!

How do you measure bandwidth?

I'm not sure if Meteor is an option for you, if it is defo worth trying from a financial point of view.

Prepay 4G 50Gb, €30, 180 day to use.

I'm using it and it and it is class.

briankell74

I measured the bandwidth with testmynet.com .
Meteor have a mast beside three but sitecom reg states that it is only 3G.
But I will test it.
50Gb a month probably would not be enough so it would mean topping up by 30 euro before month is up which in theory means 60 euro for a 100GB where Vodafone do 150GB a moth for 60 euro and I think this will be 4G but have not tested yet.
At the Min I use about 54GB a month with Vodafone on an unlimited package at 1.6 max download,(This is kids watching youtube,movies,play station and I would watch a couple of movies weekly and regular internet browsing).
In your opinion would Vodafones 150GB a month plan be sufficient on a 4G connection or do you think I could be in fear of exceeding 150GB with everything now coming in HD on the 4G connection.?

editorsean

If most of that 54GB usage consists of YouTube / video streaming, there is a high risk that you'll overrun Vodafone's 150GB allowance.

I would still suggest doing a test run with a Meteor Broadband prepay SIM. Do a speed test in the evening before topping up to make sure you get a decent speed, e.g. 8Mbps or higher. 6Mbps and higher is generally sufficient for 1080p streaming on YouTube.

If the Meteor speed is fine, top it up by €30, then buy the 50GB add-on. Switch off your DSL router and connect everyone to your mobile router. Make a note of the date and see how long the 50GB lasts before you get the "Out of credit" webpage.

If the 50GB lasts 2 full weeks or longer, you should be fine with the Vodafone 150GB package, although I would recommend doing periodic usage checks such as once a week or daily if you're approaching the limit.

However, if the 50GB is gone within two weeks, then you will need to keep a close eye on your usage with Vodafone and possibly have to limit their online usage.

If you can afford it, another option would be to keep your DSL connection and have your kids devices connected to it and use Meteor or a cheaper Vodafone mobile broadband plan for content you would like to watch in HD or where you temporarily need faster speed.

paddy19

"50Gb a month probably would not be enough so it would mean topping up by 30 euro before month is up which in theory means 60 euro for a 100GB where Vodafone do 150GB a month for 60 euro"

This may be academic if the Meteor mast is only 3G but here goes.
The Meteor 50GB deal is unusual in that it is valid for 180 days.

I assume the Vodafone is a straight monthly charge.

So if you use 54GB a month 54*12 = 648GB per year.
That's 13 top-ups at €50 = €630 per year.
Vodafone is 12*€60 = €720 per year.

The real advantage of Meteor, apart from the €90 saving, is no contract since it is prepay and there is no BS charge per Mb if you go over the limit.


PS can you provide a link to the Vodafone 150GB a month for 60 euro offer.
I can't find it on the site or on Switcher?

editorsean

I assume that 13 top-ups line should be €30 each, which would work out at €390 for the 648GB.

The Vodafone 150GB plan is available in store, which I've seen in their printed in-store leaflet for mobile broadband. It can also be got by ordering the €50/month contract online and then upgrading to the €60 150GB monthly plan. I'm not sure if this can be done in My Vodafone or if one must contact Vodafone to do that.

paddy19

Yes editorsean,
your right, it is €390.
I got my €50 and €30s mixed up.

Apologies for the confusion.

briankell74

https://www.vodafone.ie/terms/bill-pay/#redultraplus

https://community.vodafone.ie/t5/Mobile-Broadband/Does-the-MBB-plan-quot-Red-Ultra-Plus-quot-exist-150GB-for-60/td-p/203506

Hi paddy
Check out both links above.

Thanks lads for the advise, I will give the option with meteor a go first and see what the signal and speed is like before I try Vodafone.
Three last night between 2-6Mps, this morning 24Mbps (Crazy)//

Editorsean how far apart do you have your antennas,?
Mine is about 50cm, one horizontal and the other vertical at 90 degrees of each other and i am about 9km from mast.
Is there any proven facts on the distance ?
Also I unattached one of the antennas last night and the signal dropped to 6% and with the other one in and that one out it went back up to 74%. would this make any difference with 3G ??
Will have to go back up on Saturday and align them in properly adjusting with only one attached at a time..
Regards
BK