Advice needed on external 3G/4G antenna

heffo500

Hi

Thanks for the feedback so far, I did some more testing this evening and I attached the results.

I'm pretty happy with the results compared to what I currently have.

Can I expect it to improve with the aerial or stay constant?

heffo500

I installed the aerial this evening and the results are excellent using a vodafone sim card I'm getting excellent results compared to my 2mb Eir connection:



Thanks all for the advice.

Hococop

heffo500 wrote: »

I installed the aerial this evening and the results are excellent using a vodafone sim card I'm getting excellent results compared to my 2mb Eir connection:



Thanks all for the advice.

Using 3 sim for my antenna but I know I would get way better speeds with vf, just wondering what data you get with them?

heffo500

Hococop wrote: »

Using 3 sim for my antenna but I know I would get way better speeds with vf, just wondering what data you get with them?

I was getting around 70mb dl at 8:30 last night and it varied at times from 50mb to 70mb but mostly around 70mb.

I do live in a valley so I have no clear line of sight so I'd say that impacts my speed too. I'm going to aim the aerials more accurate tomorrow, I'll let you know if this makes a difference.

Hococop

heffo500 wrote: »

I was getting around 70mb dl at 8:30 last night and it varied at times from 50mb to 70mb but mostly around 70mb.

I do live in a valley so I have no clear line of sight so I'd say that impacts my speed too. I'm going to aim the aerials more accurate tomorrow, I'll let you know if this makes a difference.

Cheers also what deal you get with vf, they normally don't do unlimited so what is your cap?

StephenOT

Gonna try this on the weekend. Can you explain how you went about testing with multiple providers. I'm on Vodafone but the nearest masts to me are three and eir so id like to test their speeds ideally. Any other tips would be appreciated.

heffo500 wrote: »

I plan on getting up on my ladder where I plan putting the aerial with the phone and do a speed test with multiple providers to see which is best.

If the speed test on the phone is better than DSL I will proceed with installing an aerial and buying the router.

Can anyone advise is this a sensible approach to take?

heffo500

StephenOT wrote: »

Gonna try this on the weekend. Can you explain how you went about testing with multiple providers. I'm on Vodafone but the nearest masts to me are three and eir so id like to test their speeds ideally. Any other tips would be appreciated.

I literally went up the extension ladder to the peak and pointed the phone until the signal was best. I then ran the speed test app. I did this three times for each provider. I also did it a few times in the evening to ensure I did the test when there was peak demand.

Then it was a case of repeating the above with the different sim cards.

Also I made sure to get someone to hold the ladder as I was quite high up to see over the end gable of the house.

heffo500

Hococop wrote: »

Cheers also what deal you get with vf, they normally don't do unlimited so what is your cap?

I current have just got the 20gb for €20 deal and set my Huawei router to a limit of 20gb so I'll try gauge my usage.

I also went into my playback settings on Netflix and limited my playback to 720p as the full HD eats a lot of data and I can live without 1080p

I plan probably to go with the Vodafone €45 a month 150gb but I want to estimate my usage first. I'm also considering trying Three too

Hococop

heffo500 wrote: »

I current have just got the 20gb for €20 deal and set my Huawei router to a limit of 20gb so I'll try gauge my usage.

I also went into my playback settings on Netflix and limited my playback to 720p as the full HD eats a lot of data and I can live without 1080p

I plan probably to go with the Vodafone €45 a month 150gb but I want to estimate my usage first. I'm also considering trying Three too

Yeah that's the killer, that data be no good to me, ( I do alot of gaming and some downloads could be up to 100gb

smuggler.ie

heffo500 wrote: »

set my Huawei router to a limit of 20gb so I'll try gauge my usage

Data usage counter on router will/might not match usage counted by ISP due to dropped packets - you might easily go above cap and get charged.

heffo500

smuggler.ie wrote: »

Data usage counter on router will/might not match usage counted by ISP due to dropped packets - you might easily go above cap and get charged.

I think once I hit the limit I get a warning message from Vodafone and its PAYG. But thanks for the heads up.

heffo500

heffo500 wrote: »

I think once I hit the limit I get a warning message from Vodafone and its PAYG. But thanks for the heads up.

I hit the limit yesterday so hopefully I'll just be able to stay under the 150gb allowance if not an extra €10 for an extra 100gb isn't too bad. I tried a three sim card yesterday and it was woeful.

Hococop

Have my antenna set up a while now but I would like to move it out a bit more as it would give a better line of sight (few trees in our house that might be blocking it a bit) only thing is I'm at the cables limit, it's 30 foot just wondering if I got a longer one like a 40 foot or a bit longer would it make a difference like losses?

my3cents

Hococop wrote: »

Have my antenna set up a while now but I would like to move it out a bit more as it would give a better line of sight (few trees in our house that might be blocking it a bit) only thing is I'm at the cables limit, it's 30 foot just wondering if I got a longer one like a 40 foot or a bit longer would it make a difference like losses?

Unless you get very high quality cable and connectors then you'll get massive losses.

For the amateur its often much better to move the device nearer to the antenna's. If you can use Power over Ethernet to power the device you can put it almost anywhere.

Hococop

my3cents wrote: »

Unless you get very high quality cable and connectors then you'll get massive losses.

For the amateur its often much better to move the device nearer to the antenna's. If you can use Power over Ethernet to power the device you can put it almost anywhere.

As in get a shorter cable and connect it closer to the router?

my3cents

Hococop wrote: »

As in get a shorter cable and connect it closer to the router?

Yep. I don't even use an antenna instead I have my 4G router mounted on the side of a telegraph pole and power it with Power over Ethernet (PoE).

Hococop

my3cents wrote: »

Yep. I don't even use an antenna instead I have my 4G router mounted on the side of a telegraph pole and power it with Power over Ethernet (PoE).

So if I was to buy a 10-15 ft cable but I would then need to use those to wi fi extenders would that sti be better than the 30 ft cable I'm using now?

smuggler.ie

Hococop wrote: »

So if I was to buy a 10-15 ft cable but I would then need to use those to wi fi extenders would that sti be better than the 30 ft cable I'm using now?

Loss on local network would be considerably less(almost nothing) compare to loss on areal cable.

Hococop

smuggler.ie wrote: »

Loss on local network would be considerably less(almost nothing) compare to loss on areal cable.

Interesting might buy a smaller cable, any site to buy off of?

my3cents

Yes you can obviously use home plugs but look up Power over Ethernet (PoE) this is where the power for the router is carried on the Ethernet cable.

What I have is a router up a pole powered by PoE the ethernet cable takes the power to the router and is connected a distance away to a wireless router set up as a wireless access point.

lukin

How important is height for an antennae? I have mine about 20 feet off the ground, I couldn't get it much higher.
It's a Poynting XPol antennae so I don't want to put it up too high because in a storm it might come down.
I have seen masts online that are 33 feet high but I don't know if they are sturdy enough to support a large antenna like that.

smuggler.ie

lukin wrote: »

How important is height for an antennae? I have mine about 20 feet off the ground, I couldn't get it much higher.
It's a Poynting XPol antennae so I don't want to put it up too high because in a storm it might come down.
I have seen masts online that are 33 feet high but I don't know if they are sturdy enough to support a large antenna like that.

Height in most cases needed for LOS, to overcome neighbor roof's, trees, etc.
Somewhere in previous posts should be link to check LOS

lukin

smuggler.ie wrote: »

Height in most cases needed for LOS, to overcome neighbor roof's, trees, etc.
Somewhere in previous posts should be link to check LOS

I definitely don't have LOS,neighbour's trees are in the way.

smuggler.ie

lukin wrote: »

I definitely don't have LOS,neighbour's trees are in the way.

https://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-elevationtool.html
instruction below map

lukin

smuggler.ie wrote: »

https://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-elevationtool.html
instruction below map

Thanks, I'll try that.

lukin

smuggler.ie wrote: »

https://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-elevationtool.html
instruction below map

I calculated 40 meters in elevation distance between my antennae and the mast so not a hope of me getting it up that high.
Too bad.

my3cents

lukin wrote: »

I calculated 40 meters in elevation distance between my antennae and the mast so not a hope of me getting it up that high.
Too bad.

That doens't mean higher won't work better.

I have about the same line of site as you (sfa) but higher up the telegraph pole I use gets a better signal. Difference of about 1 bar between 4ft and 10ft.

smuggler.ie

lukin wrote: »

I calculated 40 meters in elevation distance between my antennae and the mast so not a hope of me getting it up that high.
Too bad.

Don't know if you applied elevation to your "points", this could change picture little bit.
You not specify model, but if not mistaking, Xpol is not directional, to my understanding, as long it faces towards mast, LOS is not major factor. Of course, near by obstructions will have effect, thus height would be beneficial.
Again, judging by my own experience with directional antenna, its "trial and error", where mast/congestion is plying main role no matter what.
I have no LOS, latest test show ~50-90Mbps after some adjustment on direction lately, actually away from ~100% axis.

Have you located all masts in your area? Do you know(confirmed!!) which you are connecting to? As mentioned in previous posts, Cellmapper comes handy for this, but require some preparation. See website - might be your are covered by someone already.

lukin

smuggler.ie wrote: »

Don't know if you applied elevation to your "points", this could change picture little bit.
You not specify model, but if not mistaking, Xpol is not directional, to my understanding, as long it faces towards mast, LOS is not major factor. Of course, near by obstructions will have effect, thus height would be beneficial.
Again, judging by my own experience with directional antenna, its "trial and error", where mast/congestion is plying main role no matter what.
I have no LOS, latest test show ~50-90Mbps after some adjustment on direction lately, actually away from ~100% axis.

Have you located all masts in your area? Do you know(confirmed!!) which you are connecting to? As mentioned in previous posts, Cellmapper comes handy for this, but require some preparation. See website - might be your are covered by someone already.

The antenna I am using is this one:
https://www.irishwireless.net/xpol-a0002
That site looks like it could be a big help,thanks.

smuggler.ie

lukin wrote: »

The antenna I am using is this one:
https://www.irishwireless.net/xpol-a0002
That site looks like it could be a big help,thanks.

Requires rooted phone to participate/map masts(cells)

lukin

smuggler.ie wrote: »

Requires rooted phone to participate/map masts(cells)

My own phone isn't rooted, I don't really want to do it to my phone but I have an old Galaxy S6 that I can root instead.

Hococop

Have a 3 sim set up with it but congestion is getting bad and wouldn't mind trying a vf one, just wondering if there is a link to set that sim up with my router, (Huawei b593)

Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong thread

smuggler.ie

Hococop wrote: »

Have a 3 sim set up with it but congestion is getting bad and wouldn't mind trying a vf one, just wondering if there is a link to set that sim up with my router, (Huawei b593)

Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong thread

You can't set THAT sim up. You need to get VF, providing your router is unlocked

lukin

I got my antennae up a bit higher. It was 19.5 feet off the ground, it's now 26.5 feet off the ground. I replaced the 10.5 foot pole I had the antennae on with 20 foot pole. That was the highest I could get it to go because with it being such a long pole it was quite heavy. I also don't want it wobbling at the top. Because of the weight of the pole (weighs about 50 kgs I would say) I had to bolt it to a second wall bracket higher up the wall to keep it secure.
I wasn't actually able to get it in to the wall bracket on the bottom because it was too heavy. I just bolted it on to it, there is two and a half feet of the pole lower down than the level of the wall brace. I will put another bracket underneath that and put the pole in it.
I am not noticing a massive difference in my speeds, maybe a gain of a megabyte or two. I am still glad I did it as I needed to satisfy my curiosity regarding the difference to upload/download.

Hococop

Have my antenna set up a good while now just wondering if this makes a difference, I have it set up horizontal on the pole, does that make a difference as it seems the antenna looks like it should be vertical ( basing that off the logo on it) ?

homingbird

For anyone looking for a external router i have ordered one .
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33008995315.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.11344c4doBJHlI

Also a good app from the playstore is openSignal it does alot & will help you find the best place to position your aerial outdoor router.

Kalyke

homingbird wrote: »

For anyone looking for a external router i have ordered one .
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33008995315.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.11344c4doBJHlI

Also a good app from the playstore is openSignal it does alot & will help you find the best place to position your aerial outdoor router.

I presume it is unlocked and suitable for use with any Irish network?

homingbird

Kalyke wrote: »

I presume it is unlocked and suitable for use with any Irish network?

Yes its unlocked as they are selling it for all over the world so i doubt they would be selling it locked . They are a very good company as i have brought repeaters of them before with no trouble . Just hope i dont get hit with customs i stand a good chance as they send it in a plain brown box .I have little or no coverage in my house but just outside my back door i am getting speeds up to 70megs download speed.
I thought about weatherproofing my router but when i saw this i am willing to give it a try;

homingbird

https://ibb.co/album/c4pDqa

I got these speeds from my 3 andriod phone.

Shefwedfan

Ok, the cables on my current cheapo antenna got broke so going to buy something new.....

So is this any good?

https://www.irishwireless.net/3g-4g-antennas/xpol-a0001

Or what should I be looking out for. I think I started a thread before but I cannot find for life of me.....

Ultimanemo

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Ok, the cables on my current cheapo antenna got broke so going to buy something new.....

So is this any good?

https://www.irishwireless.net/3g-4g-antennas/xpol-a0001

Or what should I be looking out for. I think I started a thread before but I cannot find for life of me.....

Yes I have one

But this is marginally better, but you have to direct it to the mast

https://www.marotec.it/en/antennas-for-modem-router-3g/611-antenna-log-mrt-8727l-for-4g-lte-3g-with-h155-10mt-cable-and-sma-m.html

Kalyke

homingbird wrote: »

For anyone looking for a external router i have ordered one .
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33008995315.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.11344c4doBJHlI

Also a good app from the playstore is openSignal it does alot & will help you find the best place to position your aerial outdoor router.

Did you receive this yet?

Shefwedfan

Ultimanemo wrote: »

Yes I have one

But this is marginally better, but you have to direct it to the mast

https://www.marotec.it/en/antennas-for-modem-router-3g/611-antenna-log-mrt-8727l-for-4g-lte-3g-with-h155-10mt-cable-and-sma-m.html

Thanks, I just have one of these


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35dBi-4G-LTE-Dual-MIMO-Antenna-Booster-Aerial-TS9-Plug-Cable-For-Huawei-BI622-UK/223240216880?epid=2158599831&hash=item33fa276130:g:E5QAAOSwsBdbrNFJ


I guess anything will be an upgrade?

homingbird

Kalyke wrote: »

Did you receive this yet?

Still waiting i should have it in the next 10 day when it comes i will let you know.

Kalyke

homingbird wrote: »

For anyone looking for a external router i have ordered one .
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33008995315.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.11344c4doBJHlI

Also a good app from the playstore is openSignal it does alot & will help you find the best place to position your aerial outdoor router.

Got this this morning. So far so good but will give it a good test at the weekend. Out of the box the interface menu was in Chinese. I messed up, reset the router and now the menu is in English!

BArra

Kalyke wrote: »

Got this this morning. So far so good but will give it a good test at the weekend. Out of the box the interface menu was in Chinese. I messed up, reset the router and now the menu is in English!

how is performance and your rough distance from 4g masts?

M5

I had similar issue to those mentioned above. bought this antenna

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C1DGGKC/ref=pe_3187911_189395841_TE_dp_1

Previous was topping about 6-10 meg with 15meg overnight on 2 bars with huawei 315 4g router

Installed and aligned the antenna above and get 30meg during peak and 60 or so at night and now get 5 bars consistently.

Im on an elevated site 2.5km from mast and will have line of site or virtually unobstructed at worst

Shefwedfan

M5 wrote: »

I had similar issue to those mentioned above. bought this antenna

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C1DGGKC/ref=pe_3187911_189395841_TE_dp_1

Previous was topping about 6-10 meg with 15meg overnight on 2 bars with huawei 315 4g router

Installed and aligned the antenna above and get 30meg during peak and 60 or so at night and now get 5 bars consistently.

Im on an elevated site 2.5km from mast and will have line of site or virtually unobstructed at worst

Whats the difference with this?



https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C1DGFPS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I see the gain but what does that mean :-) :P

Ten Pin

Whats the difference with this?



https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C1DGFPS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I see the gain but what does that mean :-) :P

AFAIK one is directional while the other is omni directional.

Directional antennas have higher gain.

Omni directional model will give signal reception from more directions but gain is lower.

M5

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Whats the difference with this?



https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C1DGFPS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I see the gain but what does that mean :-) :P

You need to align the one in my post, the other you dont... You get a higher gain as you are pointing straight at the mast (in reality +/- 5' makes little difference with the directional one from what I have seen)

TLDR the more expensive one will work much better when aligned than the omni directional ever will